Devotion-filled homage to Tyagaraja
B. RAMADEVI
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Shivanjali's aradhana was in the form of music and dance.
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DIVINE BLISS: Scene depicting Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman, worshipped by Tyagaraja. Photo: K. Ananthan.
It was a memorable day for the members of Shivanjali. They paid a devotion-filled homage to Saint Tyagaraja on Pushya bahula panchami (the fifth day of the waning moon in the month of Pushya) to commemorate the day on which he attained siddhi, at Agastya Centre of Excellence, Coimbatore. In the morning bhajans were rendered followed by `Unchavrithi.'
In the evening, homams were performed and the `padhukas' (sandals) of Swami Shantananda Saraswathi and the picture of Saint Tyagaraja were carried by devotees. With the black and white backdrop and the sparkling statues of Nataraja and Saraswathi overlooking the audience the stage was decorated aesthetically.
Hanuman with half-closed eyes was right below on the floor in the form of a rangoli. On both sides, life-like portraits of Swami Sivananda Saraswathi, Swami Gnanananda Giri and Shantananada Saraswathi seemed to come alive with effective lighting.
Songs of Tyagaraja
The programme started with an appropriate introduction by Gayathri. Teachers and students from Chennai and Coimbatore centres presented a few songs of Saint Tyagaraja. They began with "Sri Ganapathini" in Sowrashtram, propitiating Ganesha, who dances to the rhythm of `Diththalaangu.' Then there was the beautiful krithi "Chethulara" bringing out the desire of Tyagaraja to dress up Rama and decorate him with the best flowers and ornaments and finally plant a motherly kiss on his cheeks.
The main item was the dance for the fifth Pancharatna kriti, "Entharo Mahanubhavulu" in Sree raga. An explanation was given to the word, `Mahanubhava'(viz. the realisation that they are part of the world and the world is part of them). Only such people are known as `Mahanubhavas.' Tyagaraja pays his respect to all such great people in this pancharatna. A group of girls and two boys brought out the significance of this song with lively abhinaya and jathi.
The final scene portrayed Tyagaraja worshipping Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman.
Before the songs were sung, the meaning for each phrase was given in Tamil and English that helped the audience thoroughly enjoy the music and dance. There were violins, flutes, mridangams, veenas, guitars and keyboards. Tyagaraja's devout kritis were presented with a homogenous blend of the traditional and the modern.
This programme was the brainchild of Girija Ma, who with the help of other senior artistes, gave shape to the orchestra. Nattuvangam and mridangam were by Vimala Chandrasekhar and Ramachandran respectively.
This was the first Tyagaraja aradhana organised by the members of Shivanjali after their Swamiji attained samadhi and it was a fitting tribute to Saint Tyagaraja as well as their own guru who believed that music and dance helped one reach God.
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