Unit 4 - Biographies of the Tanjore Quartet and Saint Thyagaraja

Tanjore Quartet

Group of four brothers in Bharatanatyam.

Chinnaiah

Brought Bharatanatyam to Mysore court.

Ponnaiah

Defined 10 adavus for dance training.

Shivanandam

Established rules for Jathis in dance.

Vadivelu

Asthana Vidwan at Travancore court.

Thanjavur

City known for classical dance and music.

Bharatanatyam

Classical Indian dance form from Tamil Nadu.

Gurukula System

Traditional learning method in Indian education.

Arangetram

Debut performance of a dance student.

Margam

Structure of Bharatanatyam performance sequence.

Melaprapti

Introduction piece in Bharatanatyam performances.

Alarippu

Invocatory dance item in Bharatanatyam.

Jatiswaram

Pure dance piece with rhythmic patterns.

Shabdam

Dance item expressing lyrical content.

Swarajathi

Dance set to a melodic composition.

Chaukavarnam

Dance item with intricate footwork.

Ragamalika

Composition in multiple ragas.

Padam

Expressive dance item conveying emotions.

Javali

Light classical dance item with romantic themes.

Thillana

Fast-paced dance item concluding performances.

Silambu Koodam

Dance hall constructed for training dancers.

Samshthana Vidwans

Esteemed scholars in music and dance.

Devi Chamundeshwari

Goddess worshipped in Mysore compositions.

Sivanandam

Composer of swarajatis and padams on God.

Mudras

Hand gestures used in Indian classical dance.

Navaratri

Festival celebrated with music and dance concerts.

Periyakoodam

Building constructed for cultural events in Thanjavur.

Vadivelu

Youngest brother popularizing violin in Carnatic music.

Maharaja of Travancore

Ruler who invited Vadivelu and supported arts.

Mohiniattam

Dance form created for women in Kerala.

Kathakali

Traditional male dance form in Kerala before Mohiniattam.

Thyagaraja

Foremost composer in Carnatic music, devoted to Sri Rama.

Thiruvarur

Birthplace of Saint Thyagaraja in Tamil Nadu.

Kaalahasthayya

Thyagaraja's maternal grandfather, a Veena player.

Sonti Venkata Ramanayya

Thyagaraja's early music teacher and mentor.

Namo Namo Raghavaaya

Thyagaraja's first composition in Desika Todi Ragam.

Bhakti

Devotional aspect of Thyagaraja's musical compositions.

Swararnavam

Musical treatise presented to Thyagaraja by Narada.

Krithis

Compositions in praise of various deities by Thyagaraja.

Pallavi

First section of a Carnatic music composition.

Anupallavi

Second section of a Carnatic music composition.

Charanam

Final section of a Carnatic music composition.

Sitamahalakshmi

Daughter of Thyagaraja.

Upanishads

Philosophical texts expressed in Thyagaraja's songs.

Bhagavadgita

Sacred scripture influencing Thyagaraja's musical themes.

Tanjore Quartet

Four brothers pivotal in developing Bharatanatyam.

Thyagaraja

Composer of 24,000 kritis in Carnatic music.

Kritis

Musical compositions in Carnatic music tradition.

Divya Nama Sankeerthanas

Devotional songs composed by Thyagaraja.

Utsava Sampradaaya Keerthanas

Songs performed during festivals.

Guccha Krithis

Group of compositions by Thyagaraja.

Naukaacharitram

A play composed by Thyagaraja.

Prahallada Bhakthi Vijayam

A narrative on Prahallada's devotion.

Seetharama Vijayam

A composition celebrating Lord Rama and Sita.

Pancharatna Kritis

Five gem-like compositions by Thyagaraja.

Ghana Raga Pancharatnas

Pancharatna set in Ghana ragas.

Narada Pancharatnas

Pancharatna set attributed to Narada.

Thiruvottiyur Pancharatnas

Pancharatna set from Thiruvottiyur.

Kovvuru Pancharatnas

Pancharatna set from Kovvuru.

Shringara Pancharatnas

Pancharatna set focusing on love themes.

Unchavritti

Mendicant lifestyle practiced by Thyagaraja.

Ramanama

Name of Lord Rama, chanted 96 crore times.

Sanyasa

Renunciation taken by Thyagaraja later in life.

Pushya Bahula Panchami

Day of Thyagaraja's passing, celebrated annually.

Thyagaraja Aradhana

Festival honoring Thyagaraja's contributions to music.

Ksheera Saagara Shayana

Composition referencing Lord Rama in ocean of milk.

Annamacharya

Composer of 32,000 sankeertanas in praise of Venkateshwara.

Sankeertanas

Devotional songs composed by Annamacharya.

Narasimhamantra

Mantra given to Annamacharya by Lord Narasimha.

Sankirthana Lakshanamu

Musical treatise authored by Annamacharya.

Desa Shuladi Prabhandam

Telugu composition by Annamacharya.

Asthana Vidwan

Court musician appointed by a king.

Shalva King

Monarch who requested songs from Annamayya.

Sankirthanas

Devotional songs composed by Annamayya.

Iron Shackles

Physical restraints used to bind Annamayya.

Tirumala

Sacred hill and temple dedicated to Venkateshwara.

Adhyaatma Sankeertanas

Spiritual songs focusing on devotion.

Shringaara Sankeertanas

Romantic songs about Venkateshwara and Alamelumanga.

Pallavi

Refrain or main theme in Annamayya's songs.

Charanas

Verses following the Pallavi in compositions.

Mudra

Signature used by Annamayya in his works.

Venkatachala

Annamayya's signature referring to Lord Venkateshwara.

Padakavithapithamaha

Title honoring Annamayya as a great poet.

Annamacharya Project

Initiative to publish Annamayya's compositions.

Copper Plates

Medium used to preserve Annamayya's works.

32,000 Compositions

Total number of songs attributed to Annamayya.

14,900 Available Compositions

Number of Annamayya's songs currently accessible.

Raga and Tala

Musical framework specified in Annamayya's Sanskrit works.

Jayanthi

Celebration of Annamayya's birthday.

Vardhanti

Commemoration of Annamayya's death anniversary.

Annamayya Music Festivals

Events celebrating Annamayya's contributions to music.

Brahmam Okkate Parahbrahmamokkate

Song emphasizing the unity of the Supreme.

Caste and Social Stigma

Issues addressed in Annamayya's compositions.

Kalki Avataram

Future incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a savior.

Gangamuthu

performed music and dance seva at a temple at Senganaar; Composed items like Navasakathi and Panchamurthy kauthvams.s

sons for Gangamuthu

Subbarayan and Chidabaram