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	Tyagaraja (May 4, 1767 - January 6, 1847) was an Indian composer and singer of Carnatic music, a form of Indian classical music. He is the most prominent figure in the history of this music of southern India and had composed the music and lyrics of thousands of songs; even today, rarely a carnival music concert omits his works. He spent much of his life in the Tanjore courtyard, where the official language was Telugu, so most of his songs were written in that language. He is considered to be the leader of a group of three important composers who flourished in Tanjore in the early 19th century, with the other two being Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri. Most of his songs were written in honor of Rama, who, like Krishna, is believed to be an incarnation of the god Vishnu. He was an exponent of gana-marga — that is, salvation through worship music. The music of his songs is transmitted orally and various musical innovations are attributed to him. Special mention is made of five of his compositions called Pancharatna Kritis, which are often sung in programs in his honor and in festive rituals.

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Tyagaraja 1767 - 1847 (80)

QUOTES

Tyagaraja (May 4, 1767 - January 6, 1847) was an Indian composer and singer of Carnatic music, a form of Indian classical music. He is the most prominent figure in the history of this music of southern India and had composed the music and lyrics of thousands of songs; even today, rarely a carnival music concert omits his works. He spent much of his life in the Tanjore courtyard, where the official language was Telugu, so most of his songs were written in that language. He is considered to be the leader of a group of three important composers who flourished in Tanjore in the early 19th century, with the other two being Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.

Most of his songs were written in honor of Rama, who, like Krishna, is believed to be an incarnation of the god Vishnu. He was an exponent of gana-marga — that is, salvation through worship music. The music of his songs is transmitted orally and various musical innovations are attributed to him. Special mention is made of five of his compositions called Pancharatna Kritis, which are often sung in programs in his honor and in festive rituals.