Carnatic Music for Tamil's & Everyone

[RR]

Episode 5: Jagadananda karaka (Nattai) || Tyagaraja - 15 Jan 2021

Background : Saint Tyagaraja (1767-1847) composed a set of 5 gems, called the Ghanaraga Pancharatna kritis, that are considered his best in terms of musical and lyrical richness, and are sung during the annual Tyagaraja Aradhana festival in Thiruvayaru. The kriti ‘jagadananda karaka’ is the first in this precious set of gems.

Gist of the kriti: In this kriti, Tyagaraja describes the auspicious nature and virtues of Lord Rama, by alternating between His divine personality (e.g. jagadananda karaka) and His human character (e.g. janaki prana nayaka). The entire composition revolves round these two aspects of Rama, the Divine and the Human.
The kriti is said to contain 108 names of Rama, some bijaksharas and mantras, amongst many other musical and lyrical beauties embedded.