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Sri. Radhakrishna G. Seshappa

Mission:

It was quite by chance or call it good fortune and providence that I met Chellam Iyer, a retired school teacher in the year 2006 in the town of Thiruvayairu during the annual Aradhana of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy.  Little did I know that simultaneously along with the musical Aradhana, a divine & pious 5-day Vaidika ritual was also being performed with religious fervour and devotion.

Sri Chellam Iyer was already 90-years-old when I first met him and he had become frail. It appears he was in a quandary not knowing who to bequeath this splendid responsibility to, after the end of his earthly journey. I had started interacting with him closely. It was a very unique relationship. Our thoughts and ideas were in sync on almost all fronts. It was in the year 2008 when he exhorted and ordained me to take on the mantle of Managing Trustee of the SSTAKT. It was as if Sri Thyagaraja Swamy wanted me to serve him by continuing this Vaidika tradition in letter and in spirit.

I was over joyed, overwhelmed and simply could not refuse his offer.

I knew it was going to be a huge responsibility as well and also a soul-satisfying mission for me.

It has been a hard and rough journey full of challenges and a few hiccups here and there. Yet it has been a joyous endeavour, an upasana and a sadhana for me and my family.

I do believe that the blessings of Maryada Purushothama Bhagwan Sri Rama and his parama bhakta, Sri Thyagaraja Swamy have bestowed and showered all their blessings upon us and we have succeeded in making both the Vaidika and Sangeeta aradhana memorable events.

As a Hindu priest and Vaidika Practitioner, it is my life’s mission to spread awareness about our activities all over the world, wherever followers of Sanatana Dharma and music lovers reside.

As an ardent music lover it is my dream to make the programs memorable and enjoyable for connoisseurs as well as rasikas.

I hope that the Trust provides a platform for budding Carnatic musicians as well as well established artists to showcase their talent and pay homage to Sri Thyagaraja Swamy at the sacred space of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham in Chamarajapete, Bengaluru.

The need of the hour is to urgently raise funds from music lovers and members of the public as financial contributions and donations in kind are required to conduct the Vaidika rituals in a proper manner strictly adhering to shastras under the watchful eyes of Their Holinesses and for building infrastructure like stage, lighting, public address systems etc. for the Sangeeta aradhana.

It is my sincere and fervent appeal to music lovers and devotees of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy all over the world to contribute their mite to this pious, sacred cause.

In the words of Sri. Chellam Iyer, “Our desire is that people in large numbers should know about the KAINKARYA (Vaidika Rituals) aspect of the festival and participate in it. That is the only way one can pay respect to Sri Thyagaraja and the deity he loved and worshipped all his life. The tradition should be kept alive.”

Come. Together let us join hands in making the Aradhana a proud testament to our splendid Sanatana Dharma. This legacy must be preserved, protected and perpetuated. We can make it happen.

Vision: 

• To propagate and popularise practice of the Santhana Dharma and Vaidika tradition.
• Promotion of Sangeeta, Nritya, Natya, Shastra and Prayoga.
• To conduct annual Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana, Sri Thyagaraja Jayanthi and also celebration of the Aradhanas of other great Vaggeyakaras (composers).
• To conduct workshops, lecture-demonstrations, to teach and popularise the lesser known compositions of Sri Thyagaraja in particular and other composers in general.
• To encourage young and talented artistes with financial and other assistance for higher studies and research.
• To assist Veda Pathashalas and students financially and in other ways.
• To publish periodicals, books and other written material on music and allied subjects to spread knowledge and awareness.
• To honour and felicitate Musicians, Dancers, Sanskrit and Vaidika Scholars, Poets, Vaidika Practitioners, Musicologists, Harikatha Bhagavatars and others.
• To award Scholarships and Fellowships.
• To establish a well equipped library and archives for Music and Dance.

The annual Aradhana is conducted in order to propagate, popularize, practice of the Sanathana Dharma and Vaidika Tradition To recognize and honour the services and contributions of Musicians, Dancers, Music teachers, Harikatha Bhagavatars, Vaidika Scholars, Music Composers and Musicologists awards have been instituted known as “Bharathi Thyagaraja Samman” and “Nataraja Samman” towards contribution to the promotion and propagation of the performing arts and literature.

The recipients of the award are personally handpicked by none other than Their Holinesses. The award comprises of cash purse of Rupees One Lakh, a gold medallion, a citation and a shawl.

AWARDS:

BHARATHI THYAGARAJA SAMMAN AWARDS – VAIDIKA SCHOLARS/PUNDITS

2011 – Sri. K. Lakshminarayanan (Chellam Iyer), Thiruvaiyaru

2011 – Ved.Br.Sri. Jambunatha Ghanapathigal, Coimbatore

2012 – Ved.Br.Sri. Neelakantha Ghanapathigal, Chennai

2013 – Ved.Br.Sri. R. Venkataraman Ghanapathigal, Hyderabad

2014 – Ved.Br.Sri. VG. Subramanya Ghanapathigal, Chennai

2014 – Ved.Br.Sri. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma, Hyderabad

2015 – Ved.Br.Sri. Meenakshi Sundara Ghanapathigal, Sringeri

2016 – Ved. Bri. Sri. Gullapalli Dattatreya Ghanapathigal, Rajahmundry

2017 – Ved. Br. Sri. Chintapalli Anjaneya Sastry Ghanapathigal, Vijayawada

2018 – Ved. Br. Sri. Ganesha Ghanapathigal, Ernakulam

2019 – Ved. Br. Sri. B.K. Lakshminarayana Bhatta Ghanapathigal, Kundapura

BHARATHI THYAGARAJA SAMMAN AWARDS – CARNATIC/HINDUSTANI CLASSICAL MUSIC:

2015 – Padma Vibhushan Awardee Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, Vocal

2015 – Padma Vibhushan Awardee Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, Mrudangam

2015 – Padma Vibhushan Awardee Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Santoor

2015 – Padma Bhushan Awardee Dr. K.J. Yesudas, Vocal

2015 – Padma Bhushan Awardee Smt. Sudha Ragunathan, Vocal

2015 – Padma Bhushan Awardee Prof. T.N. Krishnan, Violin

2015 – Padma Shri Awardee Dr. N. Ramani, Flute

2015 – Padma Shri Awardee Dr. Kadri Gopalnath, Saxophone

2015 – Padma Shri Awardee Aruna Sairam, Vocal

2015 – Prof. R. Visweswaran, Veena

2015 – Padma Shri Dr. T.K. Murthy, Mrudangam

2015 – Smt. T.R. Kamala Murthy, Harikatha

2015 – The Bengaluru Gayana Samaja, Institution

2023 – Dr. R.K. Padmanabha, Vocal

2023 – R.A. Ramamani, Vocal

2023 – V.S. Rajagopal, Mrudangam

NATARAJA SAMMAN AWARDS – INDIAN DANCE

2013 – Padma Vibhushan Awardee Dr. Pt. Birju Maharaj – Kathak

2013 – Padma Vibhushan Awardee Dr. Yamini Krishnamurthy – Kuchipudi

2013 – Padma Vibhushan Awardee Dr. Sonal Mansingh – Odissi

2013 – Padma Shri Awardee Dr. Vyjayantimala Bali – Bharata Natyam

2013 – Padma Shri Awardee Bharati Shivaji – Mohini Attam

2016 – Rama Vaidyanathan – Bharata Natyam

2016 – Gopika Varma – Mohini Attam

2016 – Deepika Reddy – Kuchipudi

The 5-day Aradhana programmes are as follows:

Guru Vandana – Guru is one who destroys the darkness of ignorance and leads one to light. He is the visible form of Lord Sri Hari. Guru is the Holy Ganges that puts out the fire. If Lord Sri Hari gets angry a Guru can protect us but there is no refuge if a Guru is annoyed. Hence, it is imperative to pay respects to the Guru Parampara.

Chaturveda Parayanam – Parayanam of Rig Veda, Krishna Yajur Veda & Shukla Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and the Atharvana Veda.

Srimad Valmiki Ramayana Parayanam – Srimad Valmiki Ramayana is a holy epic poem of India which narrates the journey of Virtue to annihilate the Vice.

Akhanda Rama Nama Japam – Chanting or bhajan of the Rama Mantra – “श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम” continuously by different groups of devotees throughout the five days.

Tulasi Sahasranamarchana to Sri Rama and Anjaneya Swamy – Worshipping with one thousand names of the deities by Tulsi.

Suvasini/ Kanya/ Dampati / Brahmachari Pooja

Mahaganapathi Homam/ Navagraha Homam/ Rama Taraka Homam

Rudraikadashini – Lord Shiva is worshiped in His Rudra form by all Vedic scriptures as one of the greatest poojas to remove all evils, to attain all desires and for all round prosperity. This worship involves prayers while bathing the shiva linga with milk, yogurt, butter etc, before the Shiva Linga is decorated with flowers, rudraksha etc. and finally presented to the devotees for worship and getting His blessings.

Shraddha of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy

Shraddha, not only liberates the ancestors, but it also is benedictory for the performer, because without blessings of the ancestors one can never achieve wealth, prosperity and happiness. The mantras during Shraddha ceremony reach the dead ancestors through the atmosphere and space.

The offerings include Paadya – washing the feet, Arghya- washing the hands, Achamana – rinsing of the mouth, offering sandal paste and flowers, Upaveeta – offering sacred thread, Vastras – offering clothing, dhoopa, deepa, arathi & naivedya (ceremonial feeding), offering dakshina (honorarium).

Invoking the spirits of past four generations of the Gurus in the ascending order

Guru – Generation 1

Parama Guru – Generation 2

Parameshti Guru – Generation 3

Parapara Guru – Generation 4

The lineage of Gurus of generation one to four (total of 16 Acharyas) are honoured with the traditional offerings of 16 types mentioned earlier.

Honouring the 16 Vedic Scholars from different centres across India with all offerings of essentials of life.

Go Pooja – This is conducted by offering Pooja to the Cow. The 16 upacharas will be offered to the presiding deity. Cow is treated like an honored guest.

Sri Sundara Kanda Parayanam and Homam

Sri Thyagaraja Swamy (4th May, 1767 – 6th January, 1847) also known as Thyagayya, was one of the greatest composers of carnatic music. He was the third son of Ramabrahmam, a distinguished Katha Kalakshepam exponent and specialist in Ramayana who was patronized by the King of Thanjavur. Mother Seethamma was the daughter of the Asthana Vidwan Veena Kalahastayya. Sri Thyagaraja Swamy was deeply devoted to the Hindu deity Lord Sri Rama. Sri Thyagaraja Swamy was born to teach humanity the path of salvation through Music and Rama Bhakti. Thyagaraja Swamy, detached from the family was attached only to Japa-Thapa-Sadhana.

The mortal remains of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy were enshrined on the banks of river Cauvery in the year 1847 after he attained Mahasamadhi and a Brindavanam was built at the samadhi.

From 1847 onwards, the annual aradhana was being conducted by the descendants of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy for a brief period and later by Sri. Thillaishthanam Rama Iyengar – considered to be the “Antharanga Sishya” of the Composer and the Umayalapuram brothers who were the direct disciples of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy. In 1903, the brick work of the samadhi was replaced by granite structure by Sundara Bhagavatar and Krishna Bhagavatar, the direct disciples of the saint, popularly known as Umayalapuram Brothers. Inspite of an unfortunate dispute and split between the Umayalapuram Brothers, the Vaidika Aradhana still continued to be performed by the successors of the sishya parampara – elder brother Narasimha Bhagavatar (Periya Katchi) at Kumbhakonam and the younger brother – Panchu Bhagavatar (Chinna Katchi) at Thiruvaiyaru. After the demise of Narasimha Bhagavatar, Periya Katchi returned to Thiruvaiyaru and continued the aradhana under the supervision of Malaikkottai Govinda Swamy Pillai. Periya Katchi ceased to exist in course of time.

From 1914, the Thyagabrahma Vaibhava Prakasha Sabha headed by Pandit Lakshmanachar conducted the aradhana. In 1925, the construction and Kumbhabhishekam of the present structure at the samadhi took place. In 1940, the Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha was established to conduct the music festival only. From 1940, Sri. Chellam Iyer (K. Lakshminarayanan) of Thiruvaiyaru under the guidance of Ramamurthy Iyer who was a representative of Chinna Katchi continued the Vaidika Aradhana.

In 1984, under the presidentship of Justice Sethurama Iyer Sri. Chellam Iyer installed and registered Sadguru Sri Thyagabrahma Aradhana Kainkarya Trust.  In the year 2009, trust was affiliated with Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri. Thereafter, Sri. Radhakrishna G. Seshappa, Managing Trustee is continuing the tradition of the Thillaisthanam Thyagaraja Shishya Parampara.

Sri Thyagaraja Swamy’s compositions exhibit a holistic expression of the richest values in Carnatic Music in Raga, Sahitya and Composition structure. He is a spiritual mentor, a guru and a never ending source of inspiration to lakhs of musicians, music lovers and other devotees even today.

About the place – Thiruvaiyaru – the abode of the Composer

Thiruvaiyaru is not only a place where Sri Thyagaraja Swamy composed some of his greatest works, but a venue where a multitude of musicians, including greatest among contemporary musicians get together to sing this great composer’s works in chorus.

Thiru means “Sacred” also name for God “Mahavishnu” who is called Thirumaal in Tamil and Goddess Lakshmi called Thirumagal.

Thiruvaiyaru is located at the sacred confluence of five rivers namely Cauvery, Vadavar, Vettar, Kadamurutti, Vennar and was thus called “Panchanada Kshetram” (the holy land of five rivers).

Lord Shiva rules the place in the name of Panchanadeeshwara with his consort Dharmambika. In close proximity of the temple, Ramabrahmam’s family lived in a street popularly known as “Thirumanjana Veedhi” belonged to Aapasthambasoothra Krishna Yajus shakha, Bharadwaja Gothra, Smartha Mulakanadu Telugu Sect.

Sri Thyagaraja Swamy embraced Sanyasa (ascetic) with the “Yoga Pattam” – “Nada Brahmananda”.

Sri Thyagaraja Swamy Vaidika Aradhana is conducted every year for five days – commencing from Pushya Bahula Pratipat to Pushya Bahula Panchami – generally in the month of January, when many Vaidika rituals are conducted under the guidance of a Principal or Pradhana Acharya with the assistance of learned Vaidika Scholars. About 40 Ghanapaathis (Post Doctoral level – Vaidika Scholars) and Agnihotris from all over India are invited to participate in the five-day aradhana programme.

The 5-day Aradhana programmes are as follows:

1. Guru Vandana – Guru is one who destroys the darkness of ignorance and leads one to light. He is the visible form of Lord Sri Hari. Guru is the Holy Ganges that puts out the fire. If Lord Sri Hari gets angry a Guru can protect us but there is no refuge if a Guru is annoyed. Hence, it is imperative to pay respects to the Guru Parampara.
2. Chaturveda Parayanam – Parayanam of Rig Veda, Krishna Yajur Veda & Shukla Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and the Atharvana Veda.
3. Srimad Valmiki Ramayana Parayanam – Srimad Valmiki Ramayana is a holy epic poem of India which narrates the journey of Virtue to annihilate the Vice.
4. Akhanda Rama Nama Japam – Chanting or bhajan of the Rama Mantra – “श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम” continuously by different groups of devotees throughout the five days.
5. Tulasi Sahasranamarchana to Sri Rama and Anjaneya Swamy – Worshipping with one thousand names of the deities by Tulsi.
6. Suvasini/ Kanya/ Dampati / Brahmachari Pooja
7. Mahaganapathi Homam/ Navagraha Homam/ Rama Taraka Homam
8. Rudraikadashini – Lord Shiva is worshiped in His Rudra form by all Vaidika scriptures as one of the greatest poojas to remove all evils, to attain all desires and for all round prosperity. This worship involves prayers while bathing the shiva linga with milk, yogurt, butter etc, before the Shiva Linga is decorated with flowers, rudraksha etc. and finally presented to the devotees for worship and getting His blessings.
9. Shraddha of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy
10. Go Pooja –This is conducted by offering Pooja to the Cow. The 16 upacharas will be offered to the presiding deity. Cow is treated like an honored guest
11. Sri Sundara Kanda Parayanam and Homam

All these poojas and homas are conducted with a deep sense of dedication and spiritual fervour towards this great sant poet with the help of highly learned Vaidika Scholars to perform the aradhana.

About 10000 people are served prasadam “Sacred Meal” over the five-days. The annual Aradhana is conducted under the guidance and with the benign blessings of Their Holinesses Jagadguru Ananthasrivibhooshitha Bharathi Theertha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Ananthasrivibhooshitha Vidhushekhara Bharathi Sri Sannidhanam of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri.

The annual Aradhana is conducted in order to propagate, popularize practice of the Sanathana Dharma and Vaidika tradition. To recognize and honour the services and contributions of Musicians, Dancers, Music teachers, Harikatha Bhagavatars, Music Composers and Musicologists awards have been instituted known as “Bharathi Thyagaraja Samman” and “Nataraja Samman” towards contribution to the promotion and propagation of the performing arts and literature.

The recipients of the award are personally handpicked by none other than Their Holinesses. The award comprises of cash purse of Rupees One Lakh, a gold medallion, a citation and a shawl.

Aradhana – a ceremony when we offer our salutations and obeisance to Lord Sri Rama’s greatest devotee Sadguru Sri Thyagaraja Swamy. An occasion to commemorate the contribution of one of the greatest composers ever to live – an humble offering of tribute.

Aradhana is an humble offering, tribute and our salutations and obeisance to Sadguru Sri Thyagaraja Swamy.

The ceremonies include chanting from all four Vedas, readings from the Srimad Ramayana, Prasthaana Treya  and various poojas (ritualistic worship) such as Dampati Pooja (veneration of married couples), Kanya Pooja (worship of young girls), and Brahmachari Pooja (worship of celibate students). Homas (fire rituals) are also performed as part of the ceremonies.

Although ceremonies are held by numerous groups and associations around the world, SSTAKT is blessed to have inherited the Thillaisthanam Shishya Parampara with a history of 177 years.

The yati aradhana has also been recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of India.

The Trust is affiliated with the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham in Sringeri, which is a prominent Hindu centre of Vaidika learning. With the benign blessings of Their Holinesses Jagadguru Ananthasrivibhooshitha Bharathi Theertha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Ananthasrivibhooshitha Vidhushekhara Bharathi Sri Sannidhanam and under the able guidance of Padmashree Awardee, Guruseva Dhureena Dr. V.R. Gowrishankar, CEO & Administrator, Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, the trust has grown from strength to strength. It acknowledges and felicitates scholars from all the shakhas (branches) of the four Vedas. This recognition highlights SSTAKT’s commitment to preserving and propagating Vaidika knowledge and traditions.

The Trust’s activities are guided by Sacred Scriptures and follow the traditions and rituals associated with the veneration of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy.

The organization has been instrumental in keeping alive the tradition of Guruvandana which is the Vaidika Aradhana, which complements the more well-known musical Aradhana that takes place in Thiruvaiyaru, each year.

The Trust has received guidance, mentorship and blessings from Their Holinesses. Their Holinesses play a significant role in selecting the recipient of the prestigious Bharathi Thyagaraja Samman award presented to a Vaidika Scholar. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of Indian classical music, Harikatha, Vaidika scholarship and allied subjects, upholding the spirit of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy’s compositions.  Each award carries a cash purse of Rupees one Iakh, a gold medal, a citation, etc.

Since the past four years, music programmes have been held at the Sringeri Shankara Matha premises in Chamarajapete, Bengaluru. Each musician is given 20 minutes to display his/her musical prowess.  These concerts are popular and connoisseurs look forward to them every year. Top notch musicians are invited to enthral the audience with their talent, proficiency and Bhakti.

While the music concerts take place in the afternoons right until 9 pm, the Vaidika rituals are conducted in the mornings in the Yaagashaala at the Sringeri Shankara Matha.

Overall, the Sadguru Sri Thyagabrahma Kainkarya Trust is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy through annual ceremonies, Vaidika rituals, music concerts and workshops and by the recognition and promotion of Vaidika knowledge, music proficiency and scholarship of Sanatana Dharma.