Syama Sastri Biography 
Syama Sastri was one of the most renowned composers of Carnatic music. He belonged to the Trinity of Carnatic music. Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar are the rest two. He was the oldest among the three. These three music maestros have laid foundation to Carnatic music and present generation is still following their footsteps. All these composers belonged to old Thanjavur kingdom also.
Syama Sastri was born in 1762 in a Tamil Brahmin family in Tiruvarur. His father Viswanatham was a priest of a goddess temple. His mother’s name is Vengalakshmi. He was named ‘Venkatasubrahmanya’ during birth, but later he came to be known as Syama Sastri. He was affectionately called Shyama Krishna. His family had a tradition of devoted priests and scholars and no other singers before Syama Sastri. His maternal uncle gave him a basic music education. His family moved to Thanjavur when he was 18 years old. Syama's potential was identified by Saint Sangita Svami, who used to stay at their home as guest. He taught Syama many advanced aspects of music and presented him several rare musical texts. He advised Shyama to keep his music talents alive.
Syama has composed less number of Keerthans comparing Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar. Total compositions count up to 300. Yet his compositions are still well known due to the literary value. He composed in Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit, mostly on goddess Kamakshi. He did not have many disciples to propagate his compositions and printing press was not available that time too. He composed Kirthis, varnas and svarajits with mudras. He is widely regarded as the first composer to compose music of svarajati musical genre. His set of three famous svarajatis, Bhairavi, Yadukula kambhoji and Todi are referred to as "Ratnatrayam". Subbaraya Sastri (1803–1862) was the son of Syama who learnt almost all his compositions.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 07, 2014
