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Tyagaraja Aradhana

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.