Thursday, December 15, 2011

On a mention in a Thyagaraja composition


While listening to the Asaveri composition of Tyagaraja rendered by Shri T.R.Subramaniam, I got stuck at a word in the second charanam. Later it was found that the word is probably only one mention by Tyagaraja on the presence of Muslim population in Thanjavur in the 18th century. Let me quote a portion from the article ‘Marataha Tanjore in the lyrics of Thyagaraja’ by T.K. Venkatasubramanyam

“They (Muhammadans) were assigned a minor role in administration, yet appear to be affluent. In the lyrics of Thyagaraja, there are no direct references to the presence of Muslims or the influence they exerted on society. In one composition, namely ‘Samayamu Delise’ in Raga Asaveri, he seems to make an indirect reference in the line ‘Thurakkaveethilo vipruniki panaka puja neraya jesiyemi (charanam 2) meaning, it is of no value if a Panakapuja for Brahmin is done in Muhammadan quarters”

( P- 93, ‘Music as History in Tamil Nadu’: Primus Books, Delhi)

Please listen to the said composition rendered by Shri. T.R Subramanyam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7xRi77Xe8Y

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