The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Saint composer

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Friday, May 20, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Saint composer

CHENNAI: : Muthuswamy Dikshitar is well-known as a Carnatic music composer— one of the music trinity. He was also a great saint. His spiritual stature can be gleaned from biographical accounts in the oral tradition and also from his compositions. Born as the eldest son of Ramaswamy Dikshitar at Tiruvarur in 1775, he mastered the scriptures, music and the arts by the age of 16. He was named Muthuswamy because he was born after his parents received the grace of the deity at Vaideeswaran temple (Lord Subramanya). He did not show any inclination to lead the normal life of a householder after marriage. The turning point in his life came when he met his Guru Chidambaranatha Yogi.

In his Harikatha, Kalyanapuram Sri R.Aravamudan said the meeting of the Guru and the disciple was preordained and the saint asked young Muthuswamy's father to allow him to accompany him to Benares. For five years he served the Yogi who was an adept in Sri Vidya practice. The preceptor was pleased with his service and called him aside one day when he knew that his end was near and told him to proceed to Tiruttani where he said he would receive God's grace. He also told him that he had become an adept in the practice of the Mantra he had initiated him in, which was proved to his wonder when a Veena materialised in his hands when he thought of one as he chanted the Mantra.

Another miracle took place in Tiruttani when Muthuswamy started his spiritual practice there in the shrine. The deity in the guise of a sage appeared before him and put a piece of sugar candy in his mouth. From then on he started composing songs prodigiously in Sanskrit. The first one that he sang spontaneously was on the deity there and Guruguha became his signature.

The unique feature of his compositions is the blending of his scholarship with the spiritual power of the Mantras incorporated in them. This was evident in the miracles that happened when he composed certain songs. He visited many temples and composed songs on the deities of different sects. Thus his compositions span a wide spectrum. His devotion to Lord Krishna comes through in many songs and especially in those composed at Mannargudi. He showed a distinct predilection to glorify the childhood deeds of Lord Krishna.

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