Sri Thyagaraja Horoscope

Sri Thyagaraja (May 4, 1767 – January 6, 1847), also known as Tyagaraja or Kakarla Tyagabrahmam, was a legendary Indian composer and saint of Carnatic music.

Born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, to a Telugu Brahmin family, he is one of the Trinity of Carnatic music (with Shyama Shastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar). A devotee of Lord Rama, he composed over 700 kritis (devotional songs), including the Pancharatna Kritis, emphasizing bhakti (devotion) through music. He lived simply, rejecting royal patronage, and his works remain central to Carnatic performances.

Sri Thyagaraja is a household name in South India and he occupies a pre-eminent place amongst the great masters of South Indian music. Mark the positions of Jupiter, Mercury and Venus. Jupiter is in the house of speech while Mercury is in the 10th house aspecting the 4th house. Thyagaraja was not only a musician but a great saint also. This is brought into light by the fact that devotion and melody have been blended together in his compositions in such a way that they cultivate the piety of the singer as well as the listener.

His musical genius and philosophical eminence are clearly explained by the presence of Jupiter and the Sun in the 2nd from the Karakamsa. His life work was centered round musical creation. He brought music home to the hearts and minds of the people. He offered, not only to the musician but to all who have ears to hear and hearts to be touched, a spring of the purest and most elevated pleasure. He left the world happier and the better for his work in it.

Yearwise Biography

• 1767: Born on May 4 in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, to Ramabrahmam (a Vedic scholar and priest) and Sitamma (Seetamma), a devout couple in a Telugu Brahmin family. Named after the local deity Tyagaraja at the Tiruvarur temple.
  
  
• 1770s (Early Childhood): Raised by his parents and maternal grandfather Giriraja Kavi (a court poet). Showed early musical talent, learning from his mother who sang Purandara Dasa's songs. Began formal education in Vedas and Sanskrit.
  
  
• 1775: At age 8, composed his first kriti, "Namo Namo Raghavaya," in raga Desikacheri, praising Lord Rama, marking his prodigious genius.
  
  
• 1785: At 18, married Parvati (first wife), who died young without children. Later married her sister Kanakamba, with whom he had a daughter, Seetalakshmi.
  
  
• 1787: Began advanced musical training under Sonti Venkataramanayya, a renowned composer in Thanjavur, focusing on Carnatic traditions.
  
  
• 1790: At 23, sang "Endaro Mahanubhavulu" (one of the Pancharatna Kritis) at his guru's home, impressing Venkataramanayya, who recommended him to the Thanjavur king.
  
  
• 1790s: Declined an invitation to join the royal court of Thanjavur, composing "Nidhi Chala Sukhama" to express his disinterest in wealth and fame, embracing a life of devotion over patronage.
  
  
• 1800: Moved to Thanjavur with his family, continuing to compose and perform, but lived ascetically, begging for alms despite offers of support.
  
  
• 1810: Daughter Seetalakshmi married Kuppuswami; they had a son named Tyagaraja, but the family faced financial hardships.
  
  
• 1820s: Composed major works, including the other Pancharatna Kritis ("Jagadanandakaraka," "Duduku gala," "Sadhinchene," "Kana kana"). Deepened his Rama bhakti, performing pilgrimages to Tirupati and other sites.
  
  
• 1830: At 63, undertook a pilgrimage to Tirupati, composing hymns in praise of Venkateswara, blending devotion with music.
  
  
• 1840: Faced family disputes over property; composed kritis reflecting spiritual detachment. His health began declining due to age.
  
  
• 1847: Died on January 6 in Thanjavur at age 79, attained samadhi at the banks of the Kaveri River. His disciples preserved his compositions; annual Aradhana festival began shortly after.

Family

• Parents: Ramabrahmam (father, priest and scholar) and Sitamma (mother, musician).
• Wives: Parvati (first, died young); Kanakamba (second).
• Children: Daughter Seetalakshmi (married Kuppuswami, had a son Tyagaraja).

Health

• Generally robust, focused on spiritual life; no major illnesses recorded until old age, when frailty led to his passing.

Wealth

• Lived in poverty, rejecting royal wealth; supported by alms and family, prioritizing devotion over material gain.