Tyagaraja and Annamacharya — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2018

With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements:

1. Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
2. Tyagaraja created several new ragas.
3. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries.
4. Annamacharya Kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 and 4 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• 2017 marked Tyagaraja 250th birth anniversary year. Tyagaraja is widely regarded as one of three major composers – known as the Trinity – of Carnatic Music who flourished at Tanjore or Thanjavur in the early 19th century, the others being Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri. Tyagaraja is said to have composed the music and penned the lyrics of thousands of kritis, mostly in praise of lord Rama.

Statement 2 is correct

• Thyagaraja had created new ragas through his compositions. These new ragas are called apoorva (Rare) ragas. He also wrote and composed two operas, Nauka Charitram and Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam.

Statement 3 is incorrect, and statement 4 is correct

• Tyagaraja time period is 1767–1847. Tallapaka Annamacharya (also called Annamayya) was a 15th-century saint (Telugu composer and poet) and is the earliest known musician to compose songs called Sankirtanas in praise of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati. He is regarded as Andhra Pada Kavita Pitamaha (the Grandfather of Telugu songwriting).

Answer: (b) 2 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Hard