Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

She brings out the best of Tamil music

— Photo: M. Moorthy

Artistic details: Vocalist Seetha Rajan demonstrating a krithi at a workshop on ’Tamil Isai’ in Tiruchi on Monday.

TIRUCHI: At a time when Carnatic music was repackaged to suit the interests of a different set of audience, Tamil songs, too, were revived by a number of language lovers. Between 17th century and 20th century, there was a transition in the lyrics composed by ‘vageyakaras’ from praise of God and nature to patriotism.

Songs of Tamil composers during that period were rendered by vocalist Seetha Rajan at a seminar on ‘Tamil Isai,’ organised by the Department of Music of Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College on Monday.

Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai were the beehive of Carnatic activities and proud makers of eminent composers. People in that region were considered knowledgeable in Carnatic and the patronage for musicians saw an all-time high.

The composers including Muthuthandavar, Papavinasa Mudaliyar and Arunachalakavirayar triggered a bhakthi movement through rousing lyrics. To grill the point into students, she sang the compositions of Marimuthupillai.

Set in ‘Poorvi Kalyani,’ the song ‘Deiveeka sthalam endha thillai’ was on praise of Lord Natarajar, Chidambaram. Muthuthandavar’s ‘Unai nambinen aiyya’ in ‘Keeravani’ and ‘Darisanam seivene’ in ‘Vasantha’ too proved her point.

A revolutionary at the time was Papavinasa Mudaliyar who composed songs for social cause. Mrs. Rajan rendered his evergreen number ‘Nadamadi thirindha’ in ‘Kaambodhi.’

Aaanai Iyer and Aiyya Iyer, the brothers who performed at King Serfoji’s court, were popular for their bhava-rich lyrics in both Telugu and Tamil. Their symphony on ‘Paruvam Parka Nyayama’ set in ‘Dhanyasi’ had room for elaborate sangathis, she said.

Songs of some of the 20th century composers, including Shuddhanandha Bharathi and Dhandapani Deekshithar, were sung by the students.

Wrapping up the session with a couple of evergreen pieces composed during the period, Mrs. Rajan said, “Composers breathed music and language wasn’t a barrier. Music was a way of life to them.”

A concert on Tamil songs by vocalist V.K. Manimaran was held in the afternoon. Department Head S. Mythili presided over the event.

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