Muthuswamy Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri (Level 1)

Muthuswamy Dikshitar was the youngest of the trinity who was born in Thiruvarur in 1776. He was not only a gAyaka (singer) but also a vainika ( veena player) which influenced his compositions to be very gamaka oriented. He mostly composed in Sanskrit but also has composed a few manipravala krithis. Several of his compositions have been influenced by Hindusthani ragas as he is said to have traveled across India during the period of his lifetime. ‘Guruguha’ being his mudhra (signature) scholarly compositions are a storehouse of special features like madhyamakala (faster phase) sahithyam, temple architecture, astronomy, astrology of the deities the krithis are composed about. The simple and beautiful Nottu swaras he has given us are inspired by the western notes and orchestral music he heard during that period. His compositions are complex and need deep understanding of ragas and talas as most happen to be in chowka (slow tempo) kala.

The chosen krithis are simple and give you a glimpse into the genius of Muthuswamy Dikshitar in short.

Shayama Shastri was an ardent devotee of Goddess Bangaru Kamakshi of Thanjavur. His compositions are soaked in Bhakti and mostly in the praise of Kamakshi and in Telugu. He also has composed a few krithis in Tamil and Sanskrit. His compositions in Anandabhairavi raga and Viloma chapu tala are unique that showcase his brilliance. He is said to have composed different kinds of compositions like gItham, varnam and the 3 swarajathis are his most accredited works.

The two krithis taught in this course are a good start to appreciate his compositions as you grow in your musical journey.