Sri Narayana Teertha's Musical Magnum Opus

The life and masterwork of Sri Narayana Teertha — the 17th-century ascetic-composer believed to be the third incarnation of Sage Vedavyasa (after Jayadeva and Kshetrayya). The article traces how a miraculous rescue from raging floods led Teertha to asceticism and eventually to the village of Varahur in Thanjavur, where he composed his magnum opus Krishna Lila Tarangini — an opera of 153 songs, 302 slokas, and 31 choornikas across 12 Tarangams, set to 34 ragas. Believed to have caused Lord Krishna himself to appear and dance when Teertha sang "Gopalameva deivatam sada," the Tarangini remains a cornerstone of the Sankeertana tradition and Carnatic concert repertoire.