The Immortal Saint Tyāgarāja

A comprehensive study of Saint Tyagaraja (1767–1847), published for the 250th Jayanti celebrations. The article traces his life from birth in Tiruvarur through his gurukulam under Sonti Venkataramanayya and initiation into the Rama-taraka-mantra (which he recited 960 million times by age 38). It examines his 700+ compositions — from the Ghana-raga Pancharatnams to simple congregational Divyanama-sankeertanams — and his literary and poetic genius, including masterful alliterations, double entendres, and humor drawn from everyday life. The article also details his two musical plays (Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam and Nauka Charitram), his sishya parampara across the Walajahpet, Tillaisthanam, and Umayalpuram schools, and how his compositions became the foundation of modern Carnatic music. As the author writes: "there was none before and there will be none after."