Tyagaraja: Life, Kritis and Legacy of the Carnatic Composer-Saint

Tyagaraja (1767–1847) was a composer and devotee of Lord Rama, and one of the three great composers of Carnatic music, with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri. Most of his songs (kritis) are in Telugu. Several hundred survive, among them the five Pancharatna kritis, which musicians sing together every January at his samadhi in Tiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu.

Life

Tyagaraja, born Kakarla Tyagabrahmam, grew up in Tiruvaiyaru on the Kaveri, where his family had settled. He learned music from Sonti Venkataramanayya, a musician at the Thanjavur court, and spent his life in Tiruvaiyaru singing in worship of Rama. He lived simply on alms (unchavritti), the traditional way of life of a devotee who owns little.

A story told in the tradition says that the ruler of Thanjavur invited him to court with gifts, and that he declined in the kriti "Nidhi chala sukhama" ("Is wealth the greater happiness?"). The song exists; the circumstances come from tradition.

He died at Tiruvaiyaru on 6 January 1847, having taken sannyasa shortly before. His samadhi is on the bank of the Kaveri.

His music

Tyagaraja's kritis use the form of pallavi, anupallavi and charanams, and many introduce sangatis, step-by-step variations on a line that later became a standard feature of Carnatic music. His songs speak to Rama directly, in praise, longing, complaint and surrender, in plain Telugu.

• Pancharatna kritis: five long songs in the ragas Nata, Gaula, Arabhi, Varali and Sri, including "Jagadananda Karaka" (Nata) and "Endaro Mahanubhavulu" (Sri).
• Operas: the musical plays Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam and Nauka Charitram.
• Other well-known kritis: "Nagumomu Ganaleni" and "Rama Ni Samanamevaru" among many.

Tradition credits him with a very large number of songs. The number that survives through his disciples' lines is in the hundreds; published editions differ.

The Tyagaraja Aradhana

Every year on Pushya Bahula Panchami, the anniversary of his death, musicians gather at his samadhi in Tiruvaiyaru for the Aradhana. The festival runs over several days, usually in January, and its best-known moment is the group singing of the five Pancharatna kritis. Tyagaraja Aradhanas are also held by Carnatic music groups in many cities in India and abroad. Because it follows the lunar calendar, the date changes each year.

Frequently asked questions

When was Tyagaraja born?

On 4 May 1767. Tiruvarur is usually given as his birthplace; some scholars argue for Tiruvaiyaru.

What are the Pancharatna kritis?

Five kritis by Tyagaraja in the ragas Nata, Gaula, Arabhi, Varali and Sri, sung together at the annual Aradhana.

Who are the Trinity of Carnatic music?

Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri, three composers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

When is the Tyagaraja Aradhana?

On Pushya Bahula Panchami, the anniversary of his death, usually in January. The festival is held at Tiruvaiyaru.

Sources

• Hinduism Today, "India's Remarkable Carnatic Musician Saints".
• Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha, Tiruvaiyaru (organisers of the Aradhana).
• T. S. Parthasarathy, The Spiritual Heritage of Tyagaraja (Ramakrishna Math, Madras).

Last reviewed: 12 November 2026.

Related: Annamacharya · Bhakta Ramadasu · M. S. Subbulakshmi · Swami Haridas