Galaxy of Composers
         
PRE-TRINITY COMPOSERS
         
TIRUGNANASAMBANDAR (7th century)
      

Musical Background: Another of the Tevaram Trinity, he was the youngest composer ever, a child prodigy.

Region: He belonged to Tanjavur district in Tamilnadu. He is also believed to have travelled widely, singing in praise of Lord Siva, accompanied by a Yazh.

Contribution: He composed his first song when he was but a toddler of three and is believed to have written 16,000 verses. But less than 4,000 have survived today. He is said to have composed his songs in about 23 Panns (equivalent of Ragas).

Theme: The main themes he used were devotion (Bhakti) and philosophy, and like the other two members of the Tevaram Trinity, his favourite deity was Lord Siva.

Language used: Tamil.

Signature: His mudra or signature was Gnanasambandan.

Popular compositions: Todudaiya (Gambheeranata), believed to be his first composition, Kadalagi (Bhairavi), and so on.

         

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