Both were closely connected to Rama. One, according to Puranas, saw Him in flesh and blood and the other worshipped the Prince of Ayodhya through his songs that are immortal. Legend has it that it was Valmiki who sheltered a pregnant Sita and it was in his hermitage that Lava and Kusa were born.
While Valmiki scripted the life of Rama and Sita, Tyagaraja, bard of Tiruvaiyaru, captured the various facets of his favourite deity and His consort from the point of view of an ardent devotee, now in ecstasy, now in anguish.
Tracing the influence of the Adikavi on Tyagaraja, SVK quotes from the latter’s songs instances that reflect Valmiki’s train of thought. “If one wishes to fully understand the significance of Sri Tyagaraj’s journey through bhakti marga, one has to go to Valmiki,” says the author in the chapter ‘Desire and Fulfilment.’ The book is divided into two parts. The first is titled ‘Valmiki Spell on Thyagaraja’ and the second, ‘The World of Valmiki.’ Both speak volumes of the deep research done by the author before embarking on the subject. And overshadowing the intellectual dimension is SVK’s devotion to Rama and reverence for Tyagaraja.
Valmiki spell on Thyagaraja
Published : Alliance Co, Mylapore, Chennai
Price: Rs. 200
Contact: 044-4641314
srinivasan@alliancebook.com
