 Saint Tyagaraja’s revenge
 Recently, in Atlanta, we celebrated two days of Tyagaraja Aradhana and the noteworthy feature was obviously not the music. The first day was used by youngsters to display their singing talents. While the mothers attended the programme decked in their finest sarees and jewellery, the fathers, not to be outdone, showed up in jubba and kurta, dragging along with them expensive digital camcorders and paraphernalia so that they could film their child’s “scintillating” performance. After the child completed the one assigned song, the parents left home so that they can replay the child’s performance on their VCRs. Listening to other performers or honoring the great composers was not on their agenda, except for me of course. As an organiser, I was a captive audience.
Four hours into the programme and after the umpteenth off-key singing, I am usually at my wits’ end; tired, depressed and futilely searching for an escape. Slowly, my eyes began wandering towards the portrait of Saint Tyagaraja on the stage. To my shock, I noticed that Tyagarja Swami was also staring at me and then, he began walking towards me. Great; now I’m tired, depressed and hallucinating.
Seeing Tyagaraja Swami, I stand up; touch his feet and say, “Swami. My humble
namaskaram.”
“Why are you doing this to me? Did I ask you to celebrate aradhana? Won’t you leave me in peace even after I attained moksha? Claiming to honor me, do you have to torture me like this?” asks Swami.
“Swami. My sincere apology. We organise aradhana so that our younger generation will remember you and your message.”
“Do you even know what my message is?” asks Swami irritably. Without waiting for an answer, he continues, “In kriti after kriti, I pointed out that music is Nadopasana - bhakti and devotion. Do you remember the words, saptha swarmula gruhamula guruthe mokshamura? You should worship the pure sound emanating from within you and you should be in consonance with music.
“In Telisi Rama Chinthanatho, did I not point out that what the mind is meditating on is more important than the words? I stressed that it is not worth acquiring knowledge unless you use it for your emancipation. One who has not benefited from his erudition and knowledge is like a donkey carrying a load of books.”
“I also showed you, through my compositions and personal conduct, that temptations must be reduced and we must live a simple life and be detached from wealth and possessions. I asked you to eschew egotism and adopt selflessness, modesty, vinaya and humility.” Tyagaraja Swami shakes his head in distress.
I did not respond to the great bard since I was guilty as charged. I stood before him in shame.
Tyagaraja Swami continued. “Well, I am out of patience. I will deal with this problem myself. I will send a message that everyone in Carnatic music will remember and especially upstart organisers like you.” Swami then walked towards a pillar and began speaking to the person behind the pillar. I looked up and saw the great Anjaneya standing there.
Tyagaraja, “Oh Vathathmaju residing in Sri Rama’s heart. I seek your blessings. You know that I never once asked Sri Rama for a boon. I now seek it from you. Would you grant me the boon, mighty
Anjaneya?”
Anjaneya blesses Tyagaraja. “Oh learned Tyagaraja. No one deserves a boon more than you. Ask me and it will be granted.” Thyagaraja speaks to Anjaneya out of my hearing.
A minute later, I saw Sri Anjaneya standing before me with his gadhai raised fully and pointing right at the center of my head, ready to strike.
I wake up from my brief nap drenched in sweat. I hear another participant on stage singing off-key.
I wish I had let Sri Anjaneya fulfil his boon to Tyagaraja. Maybe next year.
Dr Ram S. Sriram
sriramgsu@gmail.com
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