Paidala Gurumurti Sastri

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Gurumurti Sastri was a composer of Carnatic music who lived during the 18th century in the village of Kayatar in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. [1]

Contents

Family

His family name was Paidala. He learnt music from Venkatasubbayya. He was well-versed in both Sangitha and Sahitya. He was felicitated Madras.

Gitas

Gurumurti Sastri composed many Gitas, or short songs illustrating Janaka (means parent, also known as melakarta) and Janya ragas . He composed around 1000 gitas which earned him the name ' Veyi Gitala Gurumurti Sastri' . He was famous for his technical knowledge of the science of Ragas. His mudra (signature) was Gurumurthi.

The Gitas he composed in Sanskrit were lost to time. Here are a few that sustained the test of time.

  1. Neerajanayana in Dhanyasi
  2. Sadapathim in Mohana
  3. Kamsaasura in Sahana
  4. Rere Sri Ramachandra in Aarabhi
  5. Mandara Dhare in Khamboji

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References

  1. Committee, Madras Tercentenary Celebration (1994). The Madras Tercentenary Commemoration Volume. Asian Educational Services. p. 430. ISBN   978-81-206-0537-4.