| Thyagaraja's Lullabies: A Musical Study |
| This article examines the lesser- explored category of lullaby-like compositions by Saint Thyagaraja, one of the Trinity of Carnatic music, through a combined musical and lyrical analysis. Although Carnatic music does not formally categorize lullabies (thalaá¹á¹u paá¹á¹u in Tamil or laali paá¹alu in Telugu), a few of Thyagaraja’s compositions display gentle melodic lines, devotional intimacy, and lyrical tenderness that reflect the essence of traditional Indian lullabies. These pieces reveal a profound blend of bhakti (devotion), raga bhava (melodic emotion), and simple yet purposeful tala (rhythmic) structures, making them both emotionally resonant and pedagogically valuable.
Focusing on four specific compositions, this study investigates their use of Raga and Tala as well as their potential as teaching tools across generations. Despite their aesthetic beauty and musical depth, these lullaby-like pieces are rarely featured in modern Carnatic concerts. Why are such emotionally rich compositions underrepresented in performances today? What are the challenges or limitations faced by performers in presenting lullabies on stage?
Using internal textual analysis and external resources such as scholarly books, articles, and video recordings, this paper explores the structural and emotional richness of these compositions while questioning their limited presence in the mainstream Carnatic repertoire. Through this focused lens, the study seeks to bring attention to an important but lesser- explored aspect of Thyagaraja ’s musical and devotional legacy. |
| Author: Ms. Layapriya CMR
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Submitted on : 16-Sep-2025
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Arts : India/Music/Carnatic music (Vocal) |
| Journal ID : 8776-295-1158
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| Views: 58/ Downloads :0 |
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