Home The Aradhana Parampara The Divine in Music Archive Support Us

गुरुपरम्परा

An unbroken tradition

Sri Thyagaraja Swamy (4 May 1767 — 6 January 1847) was born to teach humanity the path of salvation through Music and Rama Bhakti. Detached from the family he was attached only to Penance and Sadhana.

Established in 1984 by K. Lakshminarayanan (Chellam Iyer), SSTAKT traces its roots back to 180 years.

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, was entrusted to continue the Shishya Parampara tradition of conducting the Annual Vaidika Aradhana. Sri. K. Lakshminarayanan, also known as Chellam Iyer, a school teacher in Thiruvaiyaru was also associated with the Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha since 1940. Even as a teenager, 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 latter part of his life.

How it reached us

Succession Link, since 1847

'47

1847

Mahasamadhi

The mortal remains enshrined on the banks of the river Cauvery and a Brindavanam built at the Samadhi.

'03

1903

The Umayalapuram Brothers

Sundara Bhagavatar and Krishna Bhagavatar, direct disciples of the saint, replace the brick samadhi with granite. Despite a later split, the Vaidika Aradhana continues through the sishya parampara — Periya Katchi at Kumbhakonam, Chinna Katchi at Thiruvaiyaru.

'14

1914

Vaibhava Prakasha Sabha

The Sabha, headed by Pandit Lakshmanachar, conducts the aradhana. In 1925 the Kumbhabhishekam of the present structure at the samadhi takes place.

'40

1940

Sri Chellam Iyer

Sri K. Lakshminarayanan of Thiruvaiyaru, under the guidance of Ramamurthy Iyer — a representative of the Chinna Katchi — continues the Vaidika Aradhana.

'84

1984

The Trust is founded

Under the presidentship of Justice Sethurama Iyer, Sri Chellam Iyer installs and registers the Sadguru Sri Thyagabrahma Aradhana Kainkarya Trust.

'09

2009

Affiliation with Sringeri

The Trust is affiliated with the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri. Sri Radhakrishna G. Seshappa, Managing Trustee, continues the Thillaisthanam Thyagaraja Shishya Parampara.

'11

2011

Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Yati Aradhana is recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Spiritual Reverence

A letter from the Managing Trustee

MISSION

Radhakrishna G. Seshappa

It was quite by chance or call it a 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.

It has been a hard and a roller coaster journey full of challenges and obstacles. 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 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 donations in kind, 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

To establish a world class music school, conduct regular workshops, lec-dems, provide a platform for musicians, encourage chamber music concerts, Carnatic music jamming and unplugged, spontaneous music sessions specially to get the attention of the Gen-Z. It is our fervent endeavour to get our urban youth to appreciate and popularize Indian Classical Music.

To continue to acknowledge the contributions of musicians, musicologist, Harikatha exponents, composers, Vedic scholars and others by conferring the prestigious National level BTS awards.

Research: To promote in-depth research and document it systematically for the benefit of future generations.

A permanent campus for the SSTAK Trust.

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.