 Muthusvami
Dikshitar (1775 - 1835) is a towering
personality and one of the foremost composers of
Indian Classical music. The music of Dikshitar is
based on a robust foundation of ideas and concepts
that had been formalized over the centuries.
Dikshitar 's monumental compositions are unmatched
in terms of scholarly worth and musical richness and
they can easily be described as brilliant melodic
essays which bring out the essence of various Ragas.
Having lived all over India in places as diverse as
Tiruvarur, Manali (near Madras), Varanasi (in North
India), Thanjavur and Ettaiyapuram (in the deep
South), Dikshitar is often referred to as the
"eternal pilgrim". His compositions are often in
praise of kshetras or the places of worship that he
visited during his travels.
Composed in Sanskrit and drawing upon his reservoir
of knowledge of ancient Indian scriptures (e.g.
Vedas, Agamas, Puranas, Itihasas and Tantras)
these compositions address various kshetras
(shrines), using references to traditions common
across India. They are packed with information on
the worship traditions, structure and space of each
specific
kshetra.
The musical
seriousness of his kritis form an interesting
contrast with the
easily hummable western folk tunes upon which
the nottusvara sahityas are based.
Please follow this
link to an earlier article on
Dikshitar on
Templenet.
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