Bangalore Nagarathnamma (1878 –1952) was a famous Carnatic singer, spiritual person, learned scholar and a staunch devotee of Lord Rama. Nagarathnamma was well-known for building a temple over the samadhi of the Carnatic singer Sri Tyagaraja at Thiruvaiyaru and also helped in establishing the famous Tyagaraja Aradhana festival in his memory. She shined very well as a woman singer during her time in the male dominated society, and she contained very good manners. She also edited and published some books on devotional poems.
Nagarathnamma was born in 1878 in Nanjangud. Her ancestors served as singers and musicians in the court of the Mysore King. She learned under one Shastri, who was a Sanskrit scholar in the court of the King of Mysore. Nagarathnamma trained in Sanskrit and music, and she continued her studies and learned Kannada, English and Telugu, also becoming proficient in music and dance. She was a violinist and dancer even at the young age of 15.
Nagarathnamma used to sing devotional songs in Kannada, Sanskrit and Telugu, and become a well-trained Harikatha professional (Delivering Divine Lectures). She also served as a dancer under the court of the Mysore ruler Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar.
Once Nagarathnamma, was being instructed by Lord Rama in her dream to build a memorial in honour of Thyagaraja who was a staunch devotee of Lord Rama. Due to this, she donated her earnings to this noble cause.
Nagarathnamma first constructed a Shrine in the Samadhi of Sri Thyagaraja in marble in 1903 and from the onwards, annual music festivals were being held in honour of Thyagaraja. The Thyagaraja Temple thus constructed was consecrated in 1921.
Nagarathnamma died in the year 1952 at the age of 74, and a memorial in her honour was erected next to Thyagaraja’s samadhi. She sang some beautiful songs in praise of Rishi Narada and Tumburu Bhagavan (Celestial Musicians) which are as follows:
SONGS IN PRAISE OF RISHI NARADA
Narayana Narayana, Narada Maharishi Namo Namaha. Oh! The great Narada Maharishi, you are also called as Devarishi, due to your friendly interactions with the celestials like Indra, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. Only due to your staunch devotion on Lord Vishnu, the name “NARAYANA” has attained much significance. Narayana Narayana, Narada Maharishi Namo Namaha. Oh! The great Narada Maharishi, you are the Guru for the Bhagavathas like Prahalada and Dhruva, and your name and fame would never diminish even during the time of deluge (Mahapralaya).
Narayana Narayana, Narada Maharishi Namo Namaha. Oh! The great Narada Maharishi, due to your interest in preaching the “Significance of the Narayana Mantra, OM NAMO NARAYANA NAMAHA”, you would not remain in one place, and you would keep on travelling to several divine worlds. Sometimes, though your activity is considered as mischievous, but at the end it would be good. You are the author of the famous Divine Text, Sri Narada Bhakti Sutra.
Narayana Narayana, Narada Maharishi Namo Namaha. Oh! The great Narada Maharishi, you are worshipped and welcomed even by the demons for your intelligence and due to the delivery of interesting speech. You are capable of answering any questions placed on to you, and you are the master of spiritual philosophy.
Narayana Narayana, Narada Maharishi Namo Namaha. Oh! The great Narada Maharishi, you are also considered to be one of the finest aspects of Lord Vishnu. Oh Narada Mamuni, I want to worship you at your temple located at Chigateri, Karnataka.
Narayana Narayana, Narada Maharishi Namo Namaha. Oh, the great Narada Maharishi, in order to propagate the Vishnu Bhakti in this Kaliyuga, you have been born as the great Vishnu Devotee, Sri Purandara Dasa and sung several songs in praise of him.
Narayana Narayana, Narada Maharishi Namo Namaha. Oh, the great Narada Maharishi, you are still wandering around the earth and blessing the devotees of Lord Vishnu. We are praying to you, for our wellbeing and prosperous life, and for the prosperity of the entire world.
SOME OF THE SONGS IN PRAISE OF SRI TUMBURU BHAGAVAN ARE AS FOLLOWS: –
Oh, the great Gandharva Tumburu Bhagavan, you are the best among the Gandharvas. You are singing divine songs in presence of gods and goddesses, and similar to Rishi Narada, you are also regarded as the king of songs. Your divine beauty cannot be described in words, you look similar to the great Lord Hayagriva, the worshipful Ashwini Devas, with regard to Vishnu Bhakti, you are like the pious Prahalada, and you are brightly shining on the skies like the Holy Dhruva Star.
Oh, the great Gandharva Tumburu Bhagavan, similar to Rishi Narada you are very much interested to sing the glories of god Vishnu. You are the famous musician and you have taught vocal and Veena instrument music even to the celestial mother Goddesses like Ma Ramba, Urvashi, Menaka and Tilothama.
Oh, the great Gandharva Tumburu Bhagavan, Your music is very much liked by Yaksha Kubera, Indra, Vishnu, Shiva and other celestials. Once you have taught music to Rishi Narada itself, and by that, you have proved that you are the first and foremost musician in the entire universe. Even the gods and the demi-gods get relaxation by hearing your wonderful Gandharva Gana. Though you are a Gandharva, yet, you live a life that of a sage, without enjoying any sort of physical pleasures.
Oh, the great Gandharva Tumburu Bhagavan, you are the kind Gandharva, humble sage, honourable celestial musician and the Divine Guru for us. Those who worship you by chanting your names would attain your grace, and they would be blessed by you forever in their lives.
Oh, the great Gandharva Tumburu Bhagavan, in the sacred texts, you have been mentioned as an active person, who utilises even a single second of time in a most productive manner. Lord Krishna itself tells to his consort Ma Satyabama, Oh! My Dear Satya, those who respects Tumburu would get the blessings of the Education goddess Ma Saraswati, and those who disrespect him, would never succeed in their career, and their entire life would end up with full of failures!
Oh, the great Gandharva Tumburu Bhagavan, You would be honoured by everyone, for your good characteristics, and you have attained immortality through the grace of Lord Shiva. Your Teertham at the sacred Tirumala Hills also known as Sri Thumburu Teertham relieves the Vishnu devotees from their sins, diseases and sufferings. Oh Lord, so far, I haven’t heard the Gandharva Gana, please bless me to hear that wonderful divine music from your mouth.
Oh, the great Gandharva Tumburu Bhagavan, I want to see you and your worshipful consort in my naked eyes, and I would like to offer both of you the holy Prasad Items of Lord Vishnu like Sugar Pongal, Sundal, and curd rice, please accept it, and bless me, so that the purpose of my birth would be fulfilled.
“OM”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR