Even a novice in Carnatic music will be aware of the contribution of the Sage-Saint-Music Sadguru Sri Thyagaraja. Jan - Feb being His aaradhana time, let’s take a peek into his one special category of compositions "Srirangam Pancharatna krithis".
While Thyagayya’s Divya Nama Sankeerthanas are meant to cater to the lame crowd, his heavy musically laden compositions like the Pancharatna krithis are targeted to the Musical audience and to divine kshetras.
Thiruvayyar Ghana Raga Pancharatna is more acknowledged than the rest -
Kovuru Pancharatna Kritis
Thiruvattriyur Pancharatna Kritis
Laalgudi Pancharatna Kritis
Srirangam Pancharatna Kritis
As is with most of his other compositions, Srirangam krithis also have an interesting context embroidered in. The narration goes as below:
Lord has a plan for everything; a plan well conceptualized to materialize.
Thyagaraja’s Lord planned his arrival to Srirangam during the Chaitrarathotsavam. His stay was in a friend’s house in the South Chithra veedhi(street).
It was the day, when the Lord of Srirangam, Sri Ranganatha came around the royal streets on the golden horse (Kuthirai Vaahanam).
The First Pancharathnam :Thodi Raaga
(http://sahityam.net/wiki/Raju_Vedale)
Breeze on Kaveri banks is always special and sacred. That day it smelt more fragrant and divine. The breeze gently surrounded the deity Sri Ranganatha seated on His golden horse. Sriranganatha was being taken on a procession around the streets of Srirangam on that chitthirai day. Saint Thyagaraja was blessed with a glimpse of the approaching Lord from his vantage point outside his friend's house. The Lord on the ratha was receiving special treatment from each household; Nadhaswaram and other musical instruments played along; karpura-araathi was offered. Saint Thyagaraja caught the beauty of the Lord illuminated by the theevattis(lamps). The divine experience of this beauty flooded out in Thodi "Raaju vedale jutaamu raare " krithi.
Second Pancharathnam : Devagandhaari Raaga
(http://sahityam.net/wiki/Vinarada)
Saint Thyagaraja’s Ksheera saagara shayana in Devagandhari is an enormous hit. As he now stood in front of the house at Chitthra veethi enjoying the Lord's beauty, he wanted to get closer to the Lord and have a better darshan of his beloved deity, the mere reason behind his Srirangam visit. The crowd around him made it not easy to get closer to the chariot for a better glimpse of the Lord. While the procession was in a whiz, the ratha(chariot) suddenly stopped and the chariot bearers could not move the procession ahead. The dancers performed, musicians played along, but nothing could appease the Lord. The senior priest who then attained aavesham ordered the bearers to bring the Lord’s best devotee – Sri Thyagaraja closer to Him for darshan.
Devaghandhari raaga devatha then entered the saint through the krithi " vinaraadha naa manavi ". It is said that this raagam competed with other raaga devathas to offer its sharanagathi to the Ksheera Saagara Shayanan now on the royal streets of Srirangam.
The third pancharathnam : Kamboji Raagam
(http://sahityam.net/wiki/O_Ranga_Saayee)
After Thyagaraja’s special incident with the SriRangam Lord during the rathotsava, he became popular in the temple surroundings. Thyagaraja’s mahatmya brought him an opportunity of Ekanta seva with Sri Ranganatha by the temple officials in the following days of the theru(chariot-procession).
The auspicious Kambhoji raaga Devatha performed its Sharanagathi with many sangathis of Pallavi of the krithi " Oh Rangashayee ! The progressively emotion-ladden Sangathis of this krithi are a delight to experience. The Lord at Sri Ranga kshetram delights all those rasikaas, who are blessed with His darsana soubhagyam . This sowbhagyam poured out of the Musical Guru in words of matchless beauty in Kamboji
The Fourth pancharathnam : Aarabhi
(http://sahityam.net/wiki/Chutamu_rare)
During the Ekanta Seva, Thyagaraja was being honored with other dignitaries and the ordinary bhaktas were dubbed aside. To overcome this act in the traditional societies, Thyagaraja invites the bhakthas, specially the ladies who are not being treated equally in the Lord’s sannidhi to enjoy the bliss of Ekanta Seva calling “Oh dear ladies, come along to enjoy the visual feast of Lord’s Ekaanta Seva”
Fifth pancharathnam : Saaranga
(http://sahityam.net/wiki/Karuna_Judavayya)
The last Sriranga Pancharatna krithi is in a Bhashanga rakthi ragam – Saaranga. Thyagaraja pleads, “O benevolent, look at me with daya and shower your grace on me either when you are rejoicing the neivedhya or enjoying the company of SriDevi and BhuDevi or when in the presence of Azhwars.” Thyagaraja's cry was not for riches but for Lord’s unfathomable grace. That appeal emerged in the form of a heart-rending krithi set to Saaranga. It is a sweet appeal revealed through the sweetness of Saaranga. Thyagaraja pleads for compassion and to cast His benevolent glances on him !
Saint Thyagaraja's appeal and sharanagathi to the Lord of Bhoga mantapam(Srirangam) has blessed us with these 5 gems – the Srirangam Pancharatna krithis.
Refs:
http://www.karnatik.com/article006.shtml
http://www.svtemplenc.org/stories/StoryOfSriRangamPart3.pdf
By
Revathi S.
revathi.sridharan@gmail.com
The Author is a practicing vocalist in Carnatic music, currently receiving training and guidance from Sri.D.V.Nagarajan. Music has been more than just passion to her. She has consistently been giving vocal performances over the years. She is also a Graduate in Music Therapy from the prestigious “Nada Academy for Music”, Chennai.
On the professional front, she is currently a Lead Engineer in an MNC in Bangalore.