A Short Biography of Sri Thyagaraja
This short biography is only for the benefit of those not familiar with the details of Thyagaraja Swami's life story. He was born on the 4th of May, 1767, and…
Thyagaraja Swami’s Contributions to Raga Lakshana and Musicology
Thyagaraja Swami had made significant contributions to raga lakshana, raga lakshya, and raga swaroopa, or in general, to the development of musicology. Support for this claim is provided…
Spiritual Legacy and Message
Sri Thyagaraja Swami emphasizes, again and again, the need for high values and consistency in living up to those values. One is reminded of the saying that if men are…
Grammar, Emotions, and Philosophy in Thyagaraja’s Compositions
Thyagaraja Swami, in his compositions, often uses words and proverbs, which are not strictly following the Telugu language or its grammar. This often brings criticism of Swami's grammar. For example,…
The Ganaraga Pancharathna Kritis
These five major works of art and philosophy have now, by popular usage, become an essential part of the Thyagaraja Aradhana celebrations wherever they are held. They are sung by…
The Compositional Forms
Saint Thyagaraja wrote compositions that included many forms and varieties: Divyanama kritis, Utsava Sampradaya Kritis, The Pancharathnas, and the Operas. These musical forms varied from the simplest to the complicated…
His Views on Ego and Rituals
Like most other saints and sages, Thyagaraja Swami tells us that it is primarily the mind that one must tame so that its full potential raises one ultimately to a…
Thyagaraja Swami – Advaitist or Visistadvaitist?
Practically, every school of philosophy has claimed Swami as its votary. Citing Swami's later day kritis such as Gnanamosoga rada in Poorvikalyani and Paramatmudu in Vagadheeswari, the dvaitis claim him."…
Quotes – U thru Z
There can be no culture without myth because without myth there is no understanding of life (Unknown). How should I lead my life? How should I live in society? What…
Quotes Q – T
God, if I worship Thee in fear of hell, burn me in hell. And if I worship Thee in the hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise, but if I…