Kshetrayya
Encyclopedia
Kshetrayya ( – 1680) was a prolific Telugu
poet and composer of Carnatic music
. He lived in the area of Andhra Pradesh
in South India
. He composed a number of padams and keertanas, the prevalent formats of his time. He is credited with more than 4000 compositions, although only a handful have survived. He composed his songs on his favourite deity Krishna
(Gopala) in Telugu
.
Not much is known about his personal life. He was born in a village called Movva
(also known as muvva) in Andhra Pradesh. His parents named him Varadayya. Because of his habit of travelling from one place to another singing his songs at various temples, he came to be called Kshetragna or Kshetrayya (one who travels). The life of Kshetragna is depicted in the novel "Bliss Of Life" by Prof M. V Rama Sarma, Professor of English & former Vice chancellor, S.V University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is also translated into Telugu with the title "Kshetrayya".
He perfected the padam format that is still being used today. His padams are sung in dance (Bharatanatyam
and Kuchipudi
) and music recitals. A unique feature of his padams is the practice of singing the anupallavi
first then the pallavi
(second verse followed by first verse). Most of the padams are of the theme of longing for the coming of the lord Krishna
.
He wrote with Sringara
as a main theme in expressing madhurabhakti (devotion to the supreme). Sringara is a motif where the mundane sexual relationship between a Nayaki (woman) and a Nayaka (man) is used as a metaphor, denoting the yearning of jeeva
(usually depicted as the Nayaki) to unite with the divine (usually depicted as the man). In most of his compositions, Kshetrayya has used the mudra
(signature) "Muvva Gopala" as a reference to himself, which is also a name for the Lord Krishna
in Kshetrayya's village Muvva, now called as Movva
.
Kshetrayya's work has played a major role in influencing poetry, dance, music of the South Indian tradition. Kshetrayya was intimately connected with the devadasi
women of the temples of south India, who were the subject of many of his compositions. The devadasis were traditionally in possession of the musical/poetic interpretations of his work for a long period of time till the devadasi system was abolished and the compositions became more accepted in the musical community as valuable works of art. The musical community also owes a lot to Veena Dhanammal
and T. Brinda
, who popularized Kshetrayya's songs with their beautiful musical interpretation.
Kshetrayya's padams now form an integral part of the dance and musical traditions of South India, where his songs are rendered purely as musical works or as accompaniments to dance.
is a 1976 Telugu film produced by Anjali Pictures
and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao
and Anjali Devi
. The film has excellent songs voiced by V. Ramakrishna
and music score proved by P. Adinarayana Rao
.
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
poet and composer of Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
. He lived in the area of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
in South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. He composed a number of padams and keertanas, the prevalent formats of his time. He is credited with more than 4000 compositions, although only a handful have survived. He composed his songs on his favourite deity Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
(Gopala) in Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
.
Not much is known about his personal life. He was born in a village called Movva
Movva
Movva is a village and Mandal in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India. The place of temples. This is the birth place of the great lyricist "Kshetrayya" also known as "varadayya" who has written many songs on "lord Krishna". This is the education center of diviseema. 30% of the villagers are...
(also known as muvva) in Andhra Pradesh. His parents named him Varadayya. Because of his habit of travelling from one place to another singing his songs at various temples, he came to be called Kshetragna or Kshetrayya (one who travels). The life of Kshetragna is depicted in the novel "Bliss Of Life" by Prof M. V Rama Sarma, Professor of English & former Vice chancellor, S.V University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is also translated into Telugu with the title "Kshetrayya".
He perfected the padam format that is still being used today. His padams are sung in dance (Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
and Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi is a Classical Indian dance form Andhra Pradesh, India. It is also popular all over South India. Kuchipudi is the name of a village in the Divi Taluka of Krishna district that borders the Bay of Bengal and with resident Brahmins practicing this traditional dance form, it acquired the...
) and music recitals. A unique feature of his padams is the practice of singing the anupallavi
Anupallavi
In Carnatic music, the anupallavi comes after the pallavi and is usually the second section of any composition. It is then followed by one or more charanams. The anupallavi is optional. In such compositions pallavi is followed by one or more charanams....
first then the pallavi
Pallavi
In Carnatic music pallavi is the thematic line of a song. It is usually one cycle long and repeated twice in order to give the percussionist the idea of the chosen taalam...
(second verse followed by first verse). Most of the padams are of the theme of longing for the coming of the lord Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
.
He wrote with Sringara
Sringara
Sringara is one of the nine rasas, usually translated as erotic love, romantic love, or as attraction or beauty. Rasa means "flavour", and the theory of rasa is the primary concept behind classical Indian arts including theatre, music, dance, poetry, and even sculpture. Much of the content of...
as a main theme in expressing madhurabhakti (devotion to the supreme). Sringara is a motif where the mundane sexual relationship between a Nayaki (woman) and a Nayaka (man) is used as a metaphor, denoting the yearning of jeeva
Jeeva
Jeeva may refer to:* Jeeva, P. Jeevanandham , Indian politician* Jeeva , Tamil Movie Director* Jeeva , Indian* Jeeva , Indian Tamil actor* Jeeva, Lollu Sabha actor...
(usually depicted as the Nayaki) to unite with the divine (usually depicted as the man). In most of his compositions, Kshetrayya has used the mudra
Mudra (music)
Mudra is the unique signature of a Carnatic music composer, which is woven into some or all of their respective compositions. Not all composers have mudras, and they do not necessarily relate to the composer's name....
(signature) "Muvva Gopala" as a reference to himself, which is also a name for the Lord Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
in Kshetrayya's village Muvva, now called as Movva
Movva
Movva is a village and Mandal in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India. The place of temples. This is the birth place of the great lyricist "Kshetrayya" also known as "varadayya" who has written many songs on "lord Krishna". This is the education center of diviseema. 30% of the villagers are...
.
Kshetrayya's work has played a major role in influencing poetry, dance, music of the South Indian tradition. Kshetrayya was intimately connected with the devadasi
Devadasi
In Hinduism, the devadasi tradition is a religious tradition in which girls are "married" and dedicated to a deity or to a temple and includes performance aspects such as those that take place in the temple as well as in the courtly and mujuvani [telegu] or home context. Dance and music were...
women of the temples of south India, who were the subject of many of his compositions. The devadasis were traditionally in possession of the musical/poetic interpretations of his work for a long period of time till the devadasi system was abolished and the compositions became more accepted in the musical community as valuable works of art. The musical community also owes a lot to Veena Dhanammal
Veena Dhanammal
Veenai Dhanammal was a highly accomplished Carnatic musician, and the torchbearer of the school of Carnatic music that goes by her name. She was both a vocalist and a performer on the veena...
and T. Brinda
T. Brinda
Thanjavur Brinda was one of the representatives of the Veenai Dhanammal school of Carnatic Music. She was primarily a vocalist, although she also played the Veenai. She is affectionately referred to as 'Brindamma', by her fans....
, who popularized Kshetrayya's songs with their beautiful musical interpretation.
Kshetrayya's padams now form an integral part of the dance and musical traditions of South India, where his songs are rendered purely as musical works or as accompaniments to dance.
Telugu film
Mahakavi KshetrayyaMahakavi Kshetrayya
Mahakavi Kshetrayya is a 1976 Telugu film based on the life of Kshetrayya. It is produced by Anjali Pictures and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi. The film has excellent songs voiced by V. Ramakrishna and music score proved by P. Adinarayana Rao.-Cast:* Akkineni Nageshwara Rao ......
is a 1976 Telugu film produced by Anjali Pictures
Anjali Pictures
Anjali Pictures is an Indian film production house owned by famous music director P. Adinarayana Rao and versatile film actress Anjali Devi.-Films Produced:* Pardesi * Poongothai , Tamil version of Pardesi.* Anarkali...
and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao , also known as ANR, is a Telugu cinema actor from Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. Nageswara Rao has worked in several genres of films in his 70-year acting career, including mythological, social, and drama films...
and Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.- Biography :...
. The film has excellent songs voiced by V. Ramakrishna
V. Ramakrishna
V. Ramakrishna is a playback singer in South India. Some of his Bhakti Songs are memorable.-Life sketch: He was born to V. Rangasai and Ratnam on August 20, 1947. He is also related to P. Susheela.He graduated from B.Sc in his young age. Impressed by Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao he took up to...
and music score proved by P. Adinarayana Rao
P. Adinarayana Rao
Penupatruni Adinarayana Rao , also known as P. Adinarayana Rao was a reputed Telugu music director, film producer, lyricist and play writer from south Indian film industry....
.
External links
- Bliss of Life, novel by Prof. M V Rama Sarma