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 Saint Tyagaraja’s
revenge
Recently, in Atlanta,
we celebrated two days of Tyagaraja Aradhana and the noteworthy feature was
obviously not the music. The first day was used by youngsters to display
their singing talents. While the mothers attended the programme
decked in their finest sarees and jewellery, the fathers, not to be outdone, showed up in
jubba and kurta,
dragging along with them expensive digital camcorders and paraphernalia so
that they could film their child’s “scintillating” performance. After the
child completed the one assigned song, the parents left home so that they
can replay the child’s performance on their VCRs. Listening to other performers
or honoring the great composers was not on their agenda, except for me of
course. As an organiser, I was a captive
audience.
Four hours into the programme and after the umpteenth off-key singing, I am
usually at my wits’ end; tired, depressed and futilely searching for an
escape. Slowly, my eyes began wandering towards the portrait of Saint Tyagaraja on the stage. To my shock, I noticed that Tyagarja Swami was also staring at me and then, he
began walking towards me. Great; now I’m tired, depressed and
hallucinating.
Seeing Tyagaraja Swami, I stand up; touch his feet and say,
“Swami. My humble namaskaram.”
“Why are you doing
this to me? Did I ask you to celebrate aradhana?
Won’t you leave me in peace even after I attained moksha?
Claiming to honor me, do you have to torture me like this?” asks Swami.
“Swami. My sincere
apology. We organise aradhana
so that our younger generation will remember you and your message.”
“Do you even know
what my message is?” asks Swami irritably. Without waiting for an answer,
he continues, “In kriti after kriti,
I pointed out that music is Nadopasana - bhakti and devotion. Do you remember the words, saptha swarmula gruhamula guruthe mokshamura? You should worship the pure sound emanating
from within you and you should be in consonance with music.
“In Telisi Rama Chinthanatho, did
I not point out that what the mind is meditating on is more important than the
words? I stressed that it is not worth acquiring knowledge unless you use
it for your emancipation. One who has not benefited from his erudition and
knowledge is like a donkey carrying a load of books.”
“I also showed you,
through my compositions and personal conduct, that
temptations must be reduced and we must live a simple life and be detached
from wealth and possessions. I asked you to eschew egotism and adopt
selflessness, modesty, vinaya and humility.” Tyagaraja Swami shakes his head in distress.
I did not respond to
the great bard since I was guilty as charged. I stood before him in shame.
Tyagaraja Swami continued. “Well, I am
out of patience. I will deal with this problem myself. I will send a
message that everyone in Carnatic music will
remember and especially upstart organisers like
you.” Swami then walked towards a pillar and began speaking to the person
behind the pillar. I looked up and saw the great Anjaneya
standing there.
Tyagaraja, “Oh Vathathmaju
residing in Sri Rama’s heart. I seek your
blessings. You know that I never once asked Sri Rama for a boon. I now seek
it from you. Would you grant me the boon, mighty Anjaneya?”
Anjaneya blesses Tyagaraja.
“Oh learned Tyagaraja. No one deserves a boon more
than you. Ask me and it will be granted.” Thyagaraja
speaks to Anjaneya out of my hearing.
A minute later, I saw
Sri Anjaneya standing before me with his gadhai raised fully and pointing right at the center of
my head, ready to strike.
I wake up from my
brief nap drenched in sweat. I hear another participant on stage singing
off-key.
I wish I had let Sri Anjaneya fulfil his boon to Tyagaraja. Maybe next year.
Dr Ram S. Sriram
sriramgsu@gmail.com
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