Harikatha Thyagaraja's Kshetradanam in English - SMP269 - MP3

Thyagaraja is undoubtedly the most celebrated musician-saint and composer of South Indian Music. He is one of the greatest musical geniuses of all times. His life and his compositions constitute the spiritual heritage of Indian culture expressed through divine music. His approach to music was that of worship (Nadopasana), the easiest and most sublime path to salvation (Mukthi). Brahmasri T.S.Balakrishna Sastrigal, one of the greatest exponents of Harikatha, with his sonorous and emotion filled voice portrays, in simple lucid English, a chronological picture of Thyagaraja’s pilgrimage, which not only brings out the profound Bhakti of Thyagaraja but also through appropriate anecdotes transports the listener to the very Kshetra.

Although the pinnacle of his devotion and love is for Lord Rama, Thyagaraja has also composed on other deities while on pilgrimage to places like Kanchipuram, Kovur, Tiruvottiyur, Tirupathi, and Lalgudi. Brahmasri T.S.Balakrishna Sastrigal takes us through this spiritual pilgrimage along with Thyagaraja throwing light on some of the compositions composed by him on these deities. In this MP3, Sastrigal elucidates some of the most poignant songs which owe their compositions to particular incidents in Thyagaraja’s life. This recording is being taken from one of the many concerts during his tour of USA in 1983.

Born in Thiruvidaimaruthur, near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, he began performing at the age of 23 and held sway over Harikatha Kalakshebam for over 6 decades. A former senior executive of State Bank of India, his very name was synonymous with this traditional art of story-telling. With an amazing and unmatched command over the Vedas, Puranas, Sastras, classical music and a score of languages, he held the audience spell-bound with his flair, fervour,

Among the countless titles and honors that were conferred on him, the title "Harikatha Rathnakara" bestowed on him by both the Paramachariyals of Kamakoti and Sringeri peetams simultaneously at Asthika Samaj, Chennai in the year 1966 stands out. Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Delhi honored him in1993. Music Academy, Chennai conferred on him the Sangeetha Kala Acharya Award in 1997. Tamil Nadu Government bestowed on him the Kalaimaamani title in 1972.

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