Shyama Shastri is one of the most renowned composers of Carnatic music. He is the oldest among the Trinity of Carnatic music, Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar being the other two.
Shyama Sastri was born to Visvanathayya and Vengalakshmi on 26 April 1762.He was a Telugu speaking Brahmin known as Auttara Vadama. Visvanathayya and his forefathers were archakas in the temple of Goddess Bangaru Kamakshi, Thanjavur. Shyama Sastri's actual name was Venkata Subrahmanya.
Although Shyama Sastri did not compose as so many kr̥ti-s as his two prolific contemporaries, his compositions are still well known due to the literary value. It is said that he composed about three hundred pieces in all.
He did not have many disciples to propagate his compositions, nor was the printing press an easy convenience during his time. More importantly, the scholarly nature of his compositions was not appealing to the layperson, they needed to be studied to be savoured.In his compositions there is a perfect blend of Supreme Bhakti (Utmost Devotion), Manodharma Bhavam with adequate Sahityam, but very important all put into the cup of Absolute Talam (Rhythm).
He composed in Telegu and Sanskrit, mostly on goddess Kamakshi.
He composed kritis, varṇa(s) and svarajati(s) with the ankita or mudra (signature) Shyam Krishna. He was probably the first to compose in a new form of the svarajatimusical genre. Prior to this, the svarajati was primarily a dance form, and was close in structure to the dance Varnam (padavarnam).
His set of three famous svarajati(s) are intended to be sung in concert rather than danced, and are sometimes referred to as "Ratnatrayam" (Three jewels). They are in ragas Bhairavi, Yadukula kambhoji and Todi, and are called kamakshi Anudinamu, kamakshi Padayugame, and Rave himagiri kumari, respectively. The former two are set to Misra Caputh Tala, while the third is set to Aid Tala.
He was known for his ability to compose in the most complex of Tata's . He was also known as "Talaprasthara Shyama Sastri" in music circles in those days. He was as adept in composing in rare ragas as he was in composing the popular ones. Anandabhairavi is considered to be his favourite raga. He was widely revered for his voice and singing ability during his time.
Department of Posts honoured him by releasing a commemorative postage stamp
Issued Date 21.12.1985
Denomination : 100 Paise
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