Here is my recount of the homage to Tyagaraja Swami that happens at Tiruvaiyyaru every year during Sivaratri. I was reminded of it today after reading about this in a forum.
This happens every year on Sivaratri. Three years back, I had gone on an extensive temple trip with a friend. On Sivaratri day, in the morning, I went to Tanjore Peria Kovil, had darshan and then proceeded to Bangaaru Kamakshi Temple nearby. After singing Shyama Shastri's kritis in front of Ambal, the kurukkaL inquired more about me. After I introduced myself, he asked, "Are you going to Tiruvaiyyaru?" I said, "No mama, no plans for today! I have to go back to Kumbakkonam and then to Kodavasal to my Grandpa's place for Sivaratri" He said, "No No, you have to go to Tiruvaiyyaru! You are a musician and since you are on a temple trip, you must go. That way you can also visit Thiru-Indaloor, the chandra sthalam near Tiruvaiyyaru. I will make all arrangements. You come home for lunch, and you can leave in the evening." Also, another friend had called me up in the morning and asked me to do archanai at Panchanadeeshwarar temple on his mother's name if possible (as it was her birthday that day). I had replied that I will try, else I will do the archanai at Kodavasal. So after kurukkaL mama's persistence, I felt that maybe it was destined for me to visit the bard's shrine on that auspicious day and so agreed to his request. After having amazing lunch at his place and a nice nap after that, my friend and myself left for Tiruvaiyyaru. Please note that util this point, I did not know at all that there was an akhandam going on at Tiruvaiyyaru.
When we reached Tiruvaiyyaru, I was pleasantly surprised to find many musicians and vidvans around! Some musicians whom I personally know (also surprised to see me!), insisted that I also sing. The organisers hesitantly acceded to their request and said that I could sing two kritis after about two hours. In the meanwhile, my friend and I quickly went to Thiru-Indaloor (it is just 15 minutes by rickshaw from Tiruvaiyyaru!). On the way to Thiru-Indaloor and back, I went through some kritis in my mind.
I came back in time to sing. I did not have veshti at that time so someone arranged for one and I sang muddu mOmu and then palikavEmi nA. I was just about to get up when the organiser came and told me to go on for some more time(later I told myself that maybe it was Tyagaraja Swami's way of telling me that I am not so bad a singer
)! I sang all those kritis that came to my mind. I sang right in front of the bard's sannidhi. Sri VV Srinivasa Rao provided violin accompaniment (he was one of the musicians who insisted that I must sing!). I do not remember the mridangist's name but I have seen him play for many vidvans!
Before singing a kriti I would ask "is this OK?" and the organiser would nod his head if it had not been sung before or request me to take up another one. After I finished a kriti, I would also ask him "shall I sing nAdupai?" The organiser would say "You sing that at the end as that is in madhyamavati"! He asked me to go on and on for almost an hour! And finally he let me sing nAdupai!
This has been the best experience I have ever had in my life. Despite the fact that I had not planned to go to Tiruvaiyyaru at all, destiny took me there and made me sing to my heart's content in front of the bard (and other musicians/vidvans). It was the first time I went to Tiruvaiyyaru and destiny made it extremely memorable for me! The organisers (whose names I forget) are doing a great service. I sincerely request all those who get a chance to visit Tiruvaiyyaru during Sivaratri to do so! I am sure that your experience will be memorable!
This happens every year on Sivaratri. Three years back, I had gone on an extensive temple trip with a friend. On Sivaratri day, in the morning, I went to Tanjore Peria Kovil, had darshan and then proceeded to Bangaaru Kamakshi Temple nearby. After singing Shyama Shastri's kritis in front of Ambal, the kurukkaL inquired more about me. After I introduced myself, he asked, "Are you going to Tiruvaiyyaru?" I said, "No mama, no plans for today! I have to go back to Kumbakkonam and then to Kodavasal to my Grandpa's place for Sivaratri" He said, "No No, you have to go to Tiruvaiyyaru! You are a musician and since you are on a temple trip, you must go. That way you can also visit Thiru-Indaloor, the chandra sthalam near Tiruvaiyyaru. I will make all arrangements. You come home for lunch, and you can leave in the evening." Also, another friend had called me up in the morning and asked me to do archanai at Panchanadeeshwarar temple on his mother's name if possible (as it was her birthday that day). I had replied that I will try, else I will do the archanai at Kodavasal. So after kurukkaL mama's persistence, I felt that maybe it was destined for me to visit the bard's shrine on that auspicious day and so agreed to his request. After having amazing lunch at his place and a nice nap after that, my friend and myself left for Tiruvaiyyaru. Please note that util this point, I did not know at all that there was an akhandam going on at Tiruvaiyyaru.
When we reached Tiruvaiyyaru, I was pleasantly surprised to find many musicians and vidvans around! Some musicians whom I personally know (also surprised to see me!), insisted that I also sing. The organisers hesitantly acceded to their request and said that I could sing two kritis after about two hours. In the meanwhile, my friend and I quickly went to Thiru-Indaloor (it is just 15 minutes by rickshaw from Tiruvaiyyaru!). On the way to Thiru-Indaloor and back, I went through some kritis in my mind.
I came back in time to sing. I did not have veshti at that time so someone arranged for one and I sang muddu mOmu and then palikavEmi nA. I was just about to get up when the organiser came and told me to go on for some more time(later I told myself that maybe it was Tyagaraja Swami's way of telling me that I am not so bad a singer
)! I sang all those kritis that came to my mind. I sang right in front of the bard's sannidhi. Sri VV Srinivasa Rao provided violin accompaniment (he was one of the musicians who insisted that I must sing!). I do not remember the mridangist's name but I have seen him play for many vidvans! Before singing a kriti I would ask "is this OK?" and the organiser would nod his head if it had not been sung before or request me to take up another one. After I finished a kriti, I would also ask him "shall I sing nAdupai?" The organiser would say "You sing that at the end as that is in madhyamavati"! He asked me to go on and on for almost an hour! And finally he let me sing nAdupai!
This has been the best experience I have ever had in my life. Despite the fact that I had not planned to go to Tiruvaiyyaru at all, destiny took me there and made me sing to my heart's content in front of the bard (and other musicians/vidvans). It was the first time I went to Tiruvaiyyaru and destiny made it extremely memorable for me! The organisers (whose names I forget) are doing a great service. I sincerely request all those who get a chance to visit Tiruvaiyyaru during Sivaratri to do so! I am sure that your experience will be memorable!
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