The padams of Kshetrayya are known for which of the following features?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Sringara rasa with Nayika-Nayaka bhava.
Explanation:
☛ Kshetrayya (17th century) was a prolific Carnatic music composer and Telugu poet known as the master of the Padam genre.
☛ His compositions are celebrated for their depiction of Sringara rasa (the emotion of romantic love) woven with deep spiritual devotion, known as Madhura Bhakti.
☛ The lyrical framework of his padams revolves around the Nayika-Nayaka bhava, where the human soul (Nayika) yearns for union with the divine (Nayaka).
☛ Due to their rich emotional depth and nuanced expressions, his padams are extensively used for Abhinaya in classical dance forms like Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Kshetrayya was born in the village of Movva in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.
☛ His signature name (Ankita Mudra) was Muvva Gopala, dedicated to Lord Krishna.
☛ He was patronized by the rulers of the Tanjavur Nayak kingdom (especially Raghunatha Nayak and Vijaya Raghava Nayak) and the Madurai Nayaks.
☛ Unlike conventional devotional hymns, a Padam is structured into Pallavi, Anupallavi, and multiple Charanams, specifically tailored for expressive dance and slow-tempo music.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ What was the signature phrase (Mudra) used by composer Kshetrayya? → Muvva Gopala
☛ In which primary language did Kshetrayya compose his padams? → Telugu
☛ Which classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh extensively uses Kshetrayya's padams for Abhinaya? → Kuchipudi
☛ Which 17th-century Nayak kingdom patronized Kshetrayya? → Thanjavur Nayak Kingdom
☛ The concept of Madhura Bhakti expresses devotion through which aesthetic emotion (Rasa)? → Sringara Rasa