Back Friday Review Bangalore Chennai and Tamil Nadu Delhi Hyderabad Thiruvananthapuram
Musical maverick
Music lovers can look forward to an exciting event in Mysore. A four-day festival is being organised jointly by Brahmavidya Foundation, Chintalapalli Parampara Trust and the Urs community of Mysore, to commemorate the birth anniversary of the former Mysore Maharaja, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Bahadur (1919 to 1974). It is a tribute to one of India’s finest musician-kings. Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Bahadur was a multifaceted genius — a philosopher, political thinker, philanthropist, sportsman, author, educationist, able administrator, and art-patron, and musician-composer. Trained extensively in Carnatic (vocal and veena) and Western music (including piano) he also composed 97 lyrics in the Carnatic style. Jayachamaraja was Honorary Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London; and the first president of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He continued the great tradition of the Mysore dynasty, which patronised musical talent irrespective of an artists’ community, language or region. The musicians who flourished under Jayachamaraja’s patronage included Mysore Vasudevachar, Muthaiah Bhagavathar, T. Chowdaiah, Veena Venkata Giriappa, Chennakesavaiah, Chintalapalli Venkata Rao, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Tiger Varadachar, Gottuvadyam Narayana Iyengar, B. Devendrappa, Chinatalapalli Ramachandra Rao. Interestingly, all of Jayachamaraja’s lyrics are in Sanskrit and all contain the raga mudra — the raga name is woven into the composition (eg. raga Nayaki in the krithi Brihannayaki). He used a wide range of ragas including rare ones like Pratapavarali, Hamsavinodini, Gundakriya, Nadabrahmam, Shuddhasalavi. He even created a new raga called Bhupalapanchama. Even in rhythms, Jayachamaraja’s lyrics display variety.
“Of these 97 lyrics, 96 were in different ragas and Sarasangi was the only raga used twice,” reveals Shreekantham Nagendra Shastry, noted musician and grandson of Wodeyar’s court musician Chintalapalli Ramachandra Rao.” The festival will be held from July 18 to 21 at the Jaganmohana Palace, Mysore.
© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu
A four-day festival will pay tribute to former Mysore Maharaja, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Bahadur, a noted musician himself.
Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Bahadur.