A line that has never broken

The Trust

Trust's History

Established in 1984 by K. Lakshminarayanan (Chellam Iyer), SSTAKT traces its roots back 180 years and is dedicated to preserving Thyagaraja Swamy’s legacy.

The Sadguru Sri Thyagabrahma Aradhana Kainkarya Trust (SSTAKT) is a religious-cultural organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of one of the most prominent composers of Carnatic music, Thyagaraja Swamy (1767-1847).

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. In 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.

SSTAKT established in 1984 under the presidentship of Justice Sethurama Iyer, took over the 180 year old Shishya Parampara tradition of conducting the Annual Vaidika Aradhana. As a teenager, Sri. K. Lakshminarayanan, also known as Chellam Iyer, a school teacher in Thiruvaiyaru was also associated with the Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha since 1940. Sri. Chellam Iyer continued the tradition under the aegis of SSTAKT. He was a “Shatayushi” lived a full life of 102 years. He had dedicated his entire life to the cause of Thyagaraja Aradhana. Today, SSTAKT operates from its office in Bengaluru under the leadership of Ved. Br. Radhakrishna G. Seshappa. In the year 2009, SSTAKT was affiliated with the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri to continue the Thillaisthanam Sishya Parampara.

The primary objective of SSTAKT is to conduct the Vaidika Aradhana with the customary Vedic ceremonies and rituals befitting that of a “Sanyasi or Yati” during Pushya maasa (generally during the month of January every year). The main aradhana takes place on Pushya Bahula Panchami to honour and venerate Saint Thyagaraja Swamy who took sanyasa - an ascetic life in the later part of his life.

How it reached us

Hand to hand, since 1847

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 Thyagaraja Swamy. Little did I know that side by side the musical Aradhana, a divine and pious 5 day Vedic ritual was also being performed annually with religious fervour and devotion continuously for the past 159 years .

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 and it was a very unique relationship that emerged with our thoughts and ideas being the same 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 Thyagaraja Swamy wanted me to serve him by continuing this Vedic tradition in letter and in spirit.

I was overjoyed, 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.

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 Vedic Practitioner, it is my life’s mission to spread awareness about our activities all over the world, wherever followers of Sanatana Dharama 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 established artists to showcase their talent and pay homage to 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 Vedic 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 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 (Vedic Rituals) aspect of the festival and participate in it. That is the only way one can pay respect to 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.

सङ्कल्प

Mission

सम्मान

Recipients handpicked by Their Holinesses

The annual Aradhana is conducted in order to propagate, popularize, practice of the Sanathana Dharma and Vedic tradition. To recognize and honour the services and contributions of Musicians, Dancers, Music teachers, Harikatha Bhagavatars etc 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 awardees 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.

Trustees

Those who run it

Organising Committee

This legacy must be preserved, protected and perpetuated.