Even After 254 Years, Saint Thyagaraja Still Rocks

Centuries-old compositions of Saint Thyagaraja are the unanimous choice of contemporary musicians and fusion artists

Saint Thyagaraja’s compositions lend themselves beautifully to contemporary music. 

(Photo: iStock)

Each of the 700 extant songs composed by Saint Thyagaraja in hundreds of ragas have one thing in common – they lend themselves to interpretation. Not just by classical musicians, but by literally anyone. Whether you share his deep devotion for his chosen deity or his love for music, you will find something in his songs to imbibe and interpret. Sumesh Narayanan, a percussionist from Chennai, tells The Quint about the icon.

(The article has been republished from The Quint’s archives on the occasion of Saint Thyagaraja’s birth anniversary. It was first published on 4 May 2016.)