Tyagaraja
Aradhana is the annual aradhana of Telugu saint composer Tyagaraja. The aradhana
is observed in many parts of the world especially in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu. It is observed primarily in Tiruvaiyaru, the place where Tyagaraja
attained Samadhi. The aradhana is observed on Pushya Bahula Panchami day when the saint attained samadhi, where
the musicians will render the saint's Pancharatna
Kritis.
Thiruvaiyaru
is a panchayat town in Thanjavur District. Thiruvaiyaru is situated on the
banks of the river Kaveri, 11 km from North of Thanjavur. National Highway
No.136 from Thanjavur connect Thiruvaiyaru, Ariyalur, Perambalur bypass and
Aththur bypass. State roads to Kumbakonam at 37 km in the East and Kallanai 33
km in the West connect Thiruvaiyaru.
History
The
aradhana (Ceremony of Adoration) is held every year on the anniversary of the
demise of the saint. This is on the fifth day of the waning moon in the Hindu
lunar month of Pushya. The Aradhana is conducted by the Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha and is
held in the precincts of the samadhi (memorial) of the saint located at
Thiruvaiyaru village, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu.
Samadhi
The
Aradhana in its present format is not even a hundred years old. Tyagaraja died
in 1847. A few days before his death, he had formally renounced everything and
became a sanyasi. When he passed on, his mortal remains were buried on the
banks of the river Kaveri and a small memorial was built at the site. His
disciples returned to their respective villages and observed his death
anniversary at their own homes. The memorial soon fell into neglect and had
become quite dilapidated by 1903, when two of the last surviving students to
have been taught by Tyagaraja happened to make a nostalgic visit to the site.
These were the elderly and eminent musicians Umayalpuram Krishna Bhagavatar and
Sundara Bhagavatar. They were dismayed by the neglect and dilapidation; indeed,
they had to search for the memorial in the wild foliage of the riverbank. They
arranged for the renovation of the samadhi and decided to commemorate the tithi or death anniversary of their guru
every year at the Samadhi itself.
From the following year, efforts were made by musical stalwarts to observe the death anniversary regularly at Tiruvayyaru, and to use the occasion as an opportunity for his followers to converge and interact with each other.
In
1905, a lavish ceremony, complete with feeding of the poor and worship at the
memorial as per Vedic tenets, was celebrated.
In
1921, Bangalore Nagarathnamma, decided to dedicate her life's earnings to
preserving Tyagaraja's legacy and perpetuating his memory. In 1925, she began
the construction of a temple enclosing the memorial. The consecration of the
temple took place in early 1926.
It
was in 1941 that the Aradhana was perhaps first conducted. Harikesanallur
Muthiah Bhagavatar selected the five pancharatnas as being best suited for
group rendering, so that a common homage by all musicians became possible. This
idea was adopted and the choral rendition of the five songs was made an
integral feature of the Aradhana.
Compositions and their Significance
Saint Tyagaraja’s songs evoke
bhakti — Lord Rama is implored, entreated, praised and scolded — in these emotions,
the saint composer’s devotion is undoubted, whatever his state of mind at the
time of composition. As ‘Draksharasa,’ his songs were sweet, easy to grasp and
sing, just as grapes can be gently pressed for their delicious juice. His faith
in Rama was unshaken, inspiring millions to adhere to a similar faith.
Tyagaraja pays homage to adikavi Valmiki in many of his songs.