SSC Selection Post 2025 PYQ — Question 15

Correct Answer

Tyagaraja

Explanation

The 'Pancharatna Kritis' (literally translating to "five gems") are a set of five masterpiece compositions composed by Saint Tyagaraja, one of the most celebrated composers of Carnatic music. These songs are written in the Telugu language (except the first one, which is in Sanskrit) and are set to five different ragas: Nata, Gaula, Arabhi, Varali, and Sri. They represent the pinnacle of technical and melodic excellence in Carnatic classical music and are sung in unison by musicians during the annual Tyagaraja Aradhana festival.

Key Points

Tyagaraja, along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri, forms the celebrated "Trinity of Carnatic Music" (Trimurti), who lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and revolutionized South Indian classical music.

Purandara Dasa is universally revered as the "Pitamaha" (Grandfather) of Carnatic music for systematizing the foundational lessons and grading system used in the art form.

Unlike the compositions of Muthuswami Dikshitar (predominantly in Sanskrit) and Syama Sastri (predominantly in Telugu and Sanskrit), Tyagaraja's vast repertoire of Kritis is known for its intense devotion (Bhakti), primarily dedicated to Lord Rama.

Important Questions and Answers

Question: In which village is the annual Tyagaraja Aradhana festival held, where the Pancharatna Kritis are sung en masse?

Answer: The festival is held annually at Thiruvaiyaru in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, where Saint Tyagaraja attained Samadhi.

Question: What are the five specific Ragas used in the composition of the Pancharatna Kritis?

Answer: The five ragas are Nata, Gaula, Arabhi, Varali, and Sri Raga, collectively known as the Ghana Raga Pancharatnam.