Sri. T. M. Thyagarajan Centenary Year

TMT CENTENARY YEAR (28TH MAY 1923-27TH JUNE-2007)

NARAYANA THEERTHA THARANGAM, RAGAM-BRINDAVANI, ADI THALAM.

PALLAVI- RE RE MAANASA GOPAALAM BHAJA DOORE PARIHARA BHOOPAALAM

ANUPALLAVI-AARAADANTARAM AKHILAATHMAKA BODHAANANDA GHANAM BAALAM

CHARANAM-BRINDAAVANA HITHA GOBRUNDHAM DHRUTHA MANDHARAM AKHILA NIGAMA KHANDAM

NANDHA SUNANDHAADHI VANDHYAM ANANYAKA NAARAAYANA THEERTHA YATHI

"I simply love Brindavani ragam. Something about the ragam, takes me instantly to Vrindavan..." My voice trailed off.

TMT Sir lifted his head from the notation book he was scrutinizing. He always carefully chose every krithi, varnam, pallavi or anything for the day's session.

He looked at me for a brief second and went back to looking at the book in his hand.

Clearing my throat and working up some guts I ventured hesitantly, "Can you... could you please compose something for me in Brindavani?!"

My heart beat fast as I waited for his answer.

He once again lifted his head, this time I saw a twinkle in his eyes. He did not reply, he did not nod even as acknowledgement, nothing... there was just this hint of a smile on his face. Bending his head, he went back to searching for the krithi in the book he was holding.

I did not repeat my request. Feeling downcast and embarrassed I finished my class.

On the way back home I consoled myself, "He's a man of few words, he's such a legend, I shouldn't have asked. That probably would have put him in an uneasy position. Probably he thinks I am taking too many liberties....". I decided to apologize to him in my next class for asking him to compose.

I counted every minute for my next class. The day arrived finally. As I sat in front of TMT Sir, my Veena tuned to perfection to Sir's sruthi, I mentally tried to frame my words on how to start the conversation.

 Before I could say anything Sir announced, "Narayana Theertha Tharangam, Brindavani ragam, Adi thalam."

My eyes widened in delight and surprise. I exclaimed, "Brindavani!!"

TMT Sir nodded matter-of-factly. 

I asked hesitantly, "Sir, your composition?"

He looked at me directly, " Yes. You wanted me to compose in Brindavani isn't it? I have composed this for you." He added, "I've even composed a pallavi which I will teach you after this krithi. You can play it in music season."

I was overwhelmed by joy. Sir composed for me, for my sake!!

TMT Sir smiled widely, watching my evident joy.

"Thank you Sir, thank you so much Sir..."

He once again bent his head to look at the notation of the Brindavani krithi which he composed just for me!!