Mayuram Viswanatha Sastri (1893-1958) has written songs in praise of Lord Muruga in ragas ranging from Kunthalavarali to Thodi and Bhairavi, a Swarajathi in Thodi adopting the swarakshara style, varnams, padams, thillanas and written even plays and novels. The distinguishing mudras he used were Vedapuri and Viswanatha. His open-mindedness is typified by his choice of Hindustani ragas Behag, Yaman, Desh and Sindhubhairavi for a few of his compositions.
The Freedom Movement perhaps inspired Sastri to bring out compositions not only on Gandhiji but also on his pet themes of khadar, and that of viewing India itself as a deity - as mother-incarnate. It would be of great relevance here to mention that he (Sastri) was drawn to the world of music by his mother. He was born in Therezhundur, birthplace of Kamban. His composition in Khamas - Jayathi Jayathi Bharatha Matha - won the distinction of being sung by Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer on India's first Independence Day and was broadcast by AIR.
Sastri had many publications to his credit - Valli Parinaya Manipravala Satakam, Murugan Pugazhmalai, Murugan Madura Keertanai, and Tirukkural Madhura Keertanai . The last is perhaps unique for it was a pioneering venture that set to tune Tiruvalluvar's Tirukkural.
Sastri's gurus in music were Namakkal Narasimha Iyengar, Devakottai Venkatrama Iyengar and Sundaram Iyer. He had taken valuable suggestions from Alathur Venkatesa Iyer and Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar regarding his musical career. His marital bliss was short-lived and he was not blessed with children either. Sastri was honoured with the title ‘Kantham,' in 1933 by Swami Balananda Saraswathi. Sastri could play the harmonium also. G.N. Balasubramaniam and Madurai Mani Iyer popularised many of his songs. Mayuram Viswanatha Sastri passed away in 1958.
Vidwan Bangalore Shankar said: “Sastri's sister was Vallabham Kalyanasundaram from whom I had learnt music. His brother, Mayuram Vaidhyanadha Sastri, was also a musician of repute, and lived up to 100 years. Viswanatha Sastri's Tirukkural tunes (with notation) were published in the form of a book by the Government of Tamil Nadu. He was not only a dramatist but also an actor. Sastri has also made a special composition in a raga, named Sarasanana, which can be understood as Sarasangi without the panchamam. He had an excellent command over many languages including Tamil, Sanskrit and English.”
