Saint Tyagaraja (17??-
1848), a devout devotee of
Sree RamaChandra, is one of the principal
composers of
Carnatic music tradition. Born in a
Telugu Brahmin family, Tyagaraja lived in
Thiruvayyar[?], near
Thanjavur[?],
Tamil Nadu. Composed innumerable number of songs (
keerthanas) exploring all the possibilities with in the rules of the carnatic music tradition, Tyagaraja is regarded as its corner stone.
To this day, a commemorative music festival called Tyagaraja Aaradhana is held at Thiruvayyar[?] in the months of January to February every year.
Usually, doyens of Carnatic music preside and perform in the festival.