Vainika Vidwan Sri M. V. Krishna Murthy a staunch devotee of Nadabrahma Sri Thyagarajaswami has selected fifty three kirthans of Sri Thyagaraja for Volume 1. Volume 1 was released on 15th July, 2011 with Scholarly Forward of Ganakala Bhushana Dr. R. K. Padmanabha.
Sri Thyagaraja composed a series of Utsava-sampradaya—kirtanas and Divya-nama-samkirtanas, two musical plays bringing out greatness of devotion: Prahlada bhakti vijaya and Naukacharitra. His compositions were categorized: 1. Sadhana Sampat (Vairagya; Nitya-Anitya-Viveka; Sama-Dana etc.; Satsanga & Gurubhakti; Kshetra – Tirthatana); 2. Bhakti Yoga (Condemnation of Narastuti, Artha & Kama; Paramartha –Prasamsa) and 3. Nada Yoga (Sangita: Sad-bhakti-Sangita Prasamsa & Sushka-Sangita-garhana)
Book starts with Dedication Shloka, one colour page of Aaradhyadaiva Lord Sri Sita Ramachandra Parabrahma, Lakshmana, Garuda & Anjaneya; Bhaktha Jeevanmuktha Nadabrahma Sri Thyagarajaswami and Aaradhisuva Bhaktha Vainika Vidwan Sri M. V. Krishna Murthy.
Cover page depiction “Vedamatha Sri Gayathri Devi playing Veena” was addressed, appreciated and acknowledged by Scholars in Carnatic music, Sanskrit, Philosophy, Mythology, Yoga, Ayurveda and Puranas. Author’s and publisher’s pages were followed by Lipi Sanketha Vivarane, index of Kirthans and Nivedhane. Literature referred was listed in the last page.
Vainika Vidwan Sri M. V. Krishna Murthy has given the full Sahithya of Pallavi, Anupallavi and Charanas for all kirthans as composed by Saint Sri Thayagaraja. He has given meaning of each word, complete message, gist of the kirthana and simplest Swaraprasthara.
Most of the kirthans were set to Aadi Thala followed by Rupaka Thala and very few were in each - Thrisrarupaka, Chapu, Khandachapu and Misrachapu Thalas. First Kirthana “Mokshamu Galada” in the raga Saramathi, explain the Origin of Pranava Nada by the fiction of two elements Air & Fire of the Five Major Elements (Earth, Sky, Water, Air & Fire)
One can achieve the salvation during his life by practicing this Pranava (OM) Nadanusamdhana with Sadbhakthi and Sangeetha Jnana (Experiencing the Sapthaswaras Sa, ri, ga, ma, pa, da & ni originating from Panchendriyas of a Practitioner while reciting OM with deep involvement and sincere devotion). Simplest recitation of Siva Nama with complete involvement of mind and soul will lead to Salvation {Siva Siva Anaradha (Raga: Panthuvarali)}.
Author emphasizes the sanctity of sacred music as experienced by Sri Thyagaraja after receiving the Divine book “Swararnava” from Sri Narada Maharshi in kirthans “Shobhillu Sapthaswara” (Raga: Jaganmohini); Ragasudharasa (Raga: Aandholika); “Swara Raga Sudharasa” (Raga: Sankarabharana); “Sogasuga Mrudanga” (Raga: Sri Ranjani) and fruitful benefits of complete surrendering to Nadarupa Sri Rama in kruthis “ “Manavi nalakincha” (Raga: Nalinakanthi); “Ramanannu brovara” (Raga: Harikambhoji); “Bhakthi Bhiksha” (Raga: Sankarabharana); “Eethavunara” (Raga: Kalyani); “Nannupalimpa” (Raga: Mohana); “Nidhichala Sukhama” (Raga: Kalyani) and “Marubalka” (Raga: Sri Ranjani).
Master explains about greatness of Saint Sri Thyagaraja kirthans to succeed over Arishadwargas through the path of music – “Sarasa Sama” (Raga: Kapinarayani); “Intha kannanandha” (Raga: Bilahari); “ Thelisi Rama” (Raga: Poornachandrika); “Ramabhakthi” (Raga: Shuddhabangala); “Durmargachara” (Raga: Ranjani); “Shanthamuleka” (Raga: Sama); “Eelaneedhayaradhu” (Raga: Attana); “Mohana Rama” (Raga: Mohana); “Makelara” (Raga: Ravichandrika); “Sanathana” (Raga: Phalamanjari); “Chalamelara” (Raga: Margahindola); “Yochana” (Raga: Darbaru); “Manasa Sri Ramachandra” (Raga: Isamanohari); “Enthavedu” (Raga: Saraswathimanohari) and “Dharini Thelusukonti” (Raga: Shuddhasaveri).
Master has included Sri Thyagaraja kirthans composed on Sri Krishna Avatara: “Brovabharama” (Raga: Bahudari); “Gandhamu puyyaruga” (Raga: Punnagavarali) & Ramayana kirthans: “Vedalenu” (Raga: Thodi); “Shara Shara” (Raga: Kunthalavarali); “Ramanivegani” (Raga: Narayani); “Ma Janaki” (Raga: Kambhoji) & Nithya Poojakainkarya kirthans: “Thulasi Bilva” (Raga: Kedaragoula); “Koluvamaregada” (Raga: Thodi) & Utstava Sampradaya kirthans: “ Sithakalyana” (Raga: Kuranji); “Hechcharikegarara” (Raga: Yadukula Kambhodhi) & Divyanama kirthans: “Vandhanamu” (Raga: Shahana); “Ramanisamana” (Raga: Kharaharapriya) & Divya Darsana kirthans: “Ramaninne” (Raga: Huseni); “Alakalalla” (Raga: Madhayamavathi) & Navarasa bhakthi kirthans: “Ramabhirama” (Raga: Darbar); “Ramakathasudharasa” (Raga: Madhyamavathi); “Sukhi evaro” (Raga: Kanada); “Dinamanivamsa” (Raga: Harikambhoji); “Chakkani rajamargamu” (Raga: Kharaharapriya); “Tholi ne jesina” (Raga: Shuddhabangala).
Author concluded this volume explaining the importance of Sadguru as composed by Sri Thyagaraja in the kirthana “Guruleka etuvanti” (Raga: Gourimanohari); realizing Parabrahma as Nadarupa and attaining Salvation through vyragya bhava as sung in the kirthans: “Nammivacchina” (Raga: Kalyani); “Shambho Mahadeva” (Raga: Panthuvarali) and “Manasa etu” (Raga: Malayamarutha).