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Syama
sastri (A. D 1762 - 1827)
SYAMA
SASTRI was born to Visvanatha Iyer and Vengalakshmi on April 26,
1762. He was a Tamil - speaking brahmin known as auttara vadama.
Visvanatha Iyer and his forefathers were archakas in the temple
of Goddess Bangaru Kamakshi.
Syama Sastri's actual name was Venkata Subrahmanya. But he was affectionately
called Syama Sastri. At the age of seven, his Upanayanam was performed.
He was taught devotional songs, given sound education in Sanskrit
and Telugu. He used to accompany his father to the temple. Gradually
his faith in the Goddess grew. Finding his aptitude for music, his
mother requested her cousins to teach him the fundamentals of music.
Within a short period, the boy became proficient in it.
When Syama Sastri was 18, his father settled down at Thanjavur.
A sanyasi, Sangita Svami, an Andhra brahmin, came to their house
from Banares. He was pleased with the talents of Syama Sastri and
offered to be his guru. After teaching him the mysteries underlying
the raga and tala prastaras, he directed Syama Sastri to go to Paccimiriyam
Adiyappayya. As per Swamiji's advice, Syama Sastri approached Adiyappayya
and the influence of Adiyappayya is reflected in his svarajati -kamakshi'
in Bhairavi raga.
Once, Kesavayya, a great musician from Bobbili, came to Thanjavur
and challenged the court musicians in handling intricate talas.
Syama Sastri had to face him. He entered the temple and stood in
deep meditation. He sang "Devi brova samayamide' meaning "Devi!
now it is the time for you to protect me". Later he gained confidence
and went to the court to face the contest and defeated the challenger.
Muthuuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri were good friends. They often
met and spent hours together singing. Syama Sastri had deep regard
for Thiyagaraja.
Once Syama Sastri was singing Brhadamba in Pudukottai, an elderly
saint was pleased and directed him to go to Madurai and sing in
praise of Meenaksi Amman and receive her blessings. Syama Sastri
decided to do so and composed "navaratnamalika' (nine kritis)
Once at Nagapattinam, Syama Sastri defeated in a contest Appukutti
Nattuvanar who was proficient in music. Consequently Appukutti forfeited
his tambura and tala for ever.
Most of Syama Sastri's compositions are in praise of Devi. He composed
about 300 songs. Though he was a Tamil he had chosen Telugu as the
medium of expression for his songs because of the inherent beauty
of that language. There are a few Sanskrit and Tamil songs also.
His style is neither simple as that of Thiyagaraja nor difficult as
that of Muthuswami Dikshitar. He signed his songs as Syama Krsna.
He died on February 6, 1827, at the age of 65.
Here is an article on Syama Sastry that appeared in "The Hindu"
dated 24-06-95. The author of this article is Y. Bhagavati. I am
posting this article for the benefit of interested ones.
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