A group of 75 musicians will perform at the 75th birthday celebrations of Yathiraj Jeeyar Swami. The Yathiraj Gaana Amritavarshini to be held on August 23 is a tribute to Yadugiri Yathiraj Math head Jeeyar, who is a renowned musician.
Speaking about the upcoming event, Jeeyar said, “My life has been a celebration of music, devotion, Sanskrit and literature, and since Sanskrit Day is also celebrated this month, I requested the musicians to select compositions in Sanskrit. They have selected some of my favourite works, apart from some compositions of mine and Shatavadhani Ganesh, who has written some compositions for the occasion.”
Although Jeeyar is an accomplished violinist and singer, he says, “I remain a student of music and am grateful for the connections and influences I had with literary figures, poets, spiritual leaders and scholars, as well as my family’s cultural background, which made raga an integral part of my life.”
Jiyar, whose biography, Sujana Jeevana is also running, says his entry as a lyricist was accidental. “Once, immediately after a song Visit In Tirupati, I was immersed in the spiritual atmosphere of the temple premises when my friend asked me to write a few lines. Influenced by the atmosphere there, I adopted my special ankita ‘Shri Charan’ (surrender to God) and wrote my first composition ‘Shri Venkateswara’. After this, others also wrote compositions with the same ankita.
“I am extremely happy to know that the renowned mridangamist and composer Anur Ananthakrishna Sharma, who has composed many of my compositions, is conducting the show.”
Early Years
Jeeyar, earlier known as Tiru Swamy, was born on August 25, 1949 in Melkote, Karnataka and spent his childhood listening to music and Sanskrit. management“My sister was a violin student and my house was filled with songs on the radio and my father discussing the nuances of ragas and composers.”
Practice sessions underway for Yatiraja Jeeyar Swamy’s 75th birthday celebrations | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
After studying Hindi, Sanskrit and advanced music, he went to Mysore for intermediate and was mesmerized by the musical environment there nurtured and patronised by the Mysore royals. “I joined Ayyanar College of Music for violin classes and saw the finest musicians from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra perform there.”
“It was magical to see the annual special programmes thronging the Sabhas and witness Bidaram Krishnappa’s performance with the Mysore Vasudevachar in the audience. Or to see the violin choudiahs listening eagerly to the performances of Ariyakudi and the Alathur brothers! It was a healthy and sweet atmosphere.”
Bangalore is calling
Later, Jeeyar enrolled for B.Com at MES College in Malleswaram, Bangalore. After earning his degree in 1969, he remained associated with spiritual and cultural programmes through various institutions. “When I came to Bangalore, the best thing for me was that I got the tutelage of well-known singer Chintalapally Ramachandra Rao. He taught me ‘Deva Deva Kalayamide’ in Mayamalamvagowla which remains one of my favourites even today.”
Jeeyar Swami never performed, but he started several music institutions where performances were encouraged. He was also associated with Adarsh, ISKCON Krishna Kalakshetra, Ramanuja Kalakshetra and now continues to do so as the head of Yatiraja Math.
Despite his propensity for writing lyrics, Jeeyar says that like iconic singer RK Srikantan, he too believes that with a plethora of works by saint-composers already in existence, “composing is possible only when some inner contemplation inspires me to do so.”
Talking about his favourite ragas and composers, Jeeyar says, “My favourite ragas are Shankarabharan, Simendramadhyam, Kamas, Todi And Kambodhi.How can you not like Dikshitar’s ‘Sri Krishnam Bhaja Manasa’? Toddy; ‘Rama Rama Gun Seema’ Simendra Madhyama Where the Lord is portrayed by Swati Tirunal; the poetic beauty of Thyagaraja is brought out Panch Ratna CreationsOr our own Pitamaha Purnaradasa’s ‘Hange Ira Beku Sansardalli’ which is a true guide for living.
“Music should be an exploration, and I believe we must constantly meditate on it to reach a place of comfort,” says the eternal student, who recently enrolled in an online music workshop on Swati Tirunal compositions conducted by Sankaran Namboodiri.
Yatiraja Gana Amritavarshini will be held on August 23 from 5 pm at Chowdiah Memorial Hall. Entry is free.
an evening of music
Yatiraja Gaana Amrutavarshini by 75 musicians to pay tribute to Yatiraja Jeeyar Swamy will be inaugurated by actress and dancer Vaijayanti Mala while singer Prince Rama Varma will be the chief guest. The event, conducted by scholar Anur Ananthakrishna Sharma, has been conceptualised by Anjali Sriram.
The 75 musicians will include flutists, violinists, veena players, mridangamists, khanjira, ghata, morching and konakkol players, besides 45 singers, who will be guided by percussionists Prabodh Shyam Anur and Somshekhar Jois.
There will be special addresses by Carnatic musicians TS Satyavati and RK Padmanabha. Senior musicians like MS Sheela, Nagamani Srinath, RA Ramamani, violinists Mysore Nagaraj and Manjunath and mridangist AV Anand will be felicitated on the occasion.
