HYDERABAD: In bringing out this book as part of a series of publications analyzing the sahitya of Annamacharya kirtanas, Venkat Garikapati tread a different path by choosing only compositions of Annamacharya that refer to Anjaneya for his commentary. These are indeed incredible kirtanas that recall some episodes from Ramayana related to Anjaneya.
Venkat Garikapati peels out each of the charanas of the selected compositions and gives its gist in his prose digging out the real meaning of the composition. This being a Hanumantha-centric work that explains how Annamacharya praised Hanuma, it earned the title of Ramanjaneya Ramaneeyam.
Prof. Veturi Anandamurthy who has also done a lot of research on Annamacharya compositions and published books too, says in his prologue, that he felt the book helps encourage discussion and assimilation of the substance Annamacharya gave in his compositions.
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Venakat chose to start the work with Annamayya composition Anthayu Neeve Hari Pundaikaaksha tuned in raga Bhairavi, with second line running as Chentanaku Neeve Sri Raghurama . While giving the actual meaning of the kirtana, Venkat extended its span into magical world of Mahavishnu who is omnipotent. Generally some of the words Annamayya used in his lyrics are not comprehensible as their language is anachronistic and not in vogue now. Venkat gives the meaning of such words.
The basic reference of Hanuma can be found in the composition Akhila Lokaika Vandya Hanumanthuda. This was originally tuned in rare Ramakriya but whoever composed this number did it in raga Bhairavi. This composition recalls adventures of Anjaneya reflecting his valour. Here Annamayya says Anjaneya is in the service of Venkateswara, who is none but Srirama. The rare words used in the kirtana are ‘Jambhari’ meaning Indra, Kumbhinija ( the one born to mother earth) that is Sita which Venkat explains. Though Venkat named the ragas, one wishes the modern composers were also mentioned, lest others don’t venture into tuning the same number again in their own choice raga.
Ade Choodarayya Pedda Hanumanthuni tuned in Bowli is one of the solid examples of how Annamacharya gave as much importance to Hanumantha as he gave to other gods, especially Venkateswara. This composition written in Telugu was a beauty in itself, explaining all adventurous deeds of Anjaneya that earning plaudits from the Gods too. This composition narrates what all was there in the stories of Anjaneya, from his birth to his service to Srirama. So was the composition Annita Nerupari Hanumanthudu in Kalyani. Venkat goes on to give additional information, narrating events that involved either Srirama or Hanumanatha or character related to Ramayana. That also made the reading more interesting. There are around 56 compositions that refer to Anjaneya. This book is distinct from the three books brought out earlier and is worthy of being possessed and preserved.
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SRIRAMANJANEYA RAMANEEYAM
Collection and Commentary by Venkat Garikapati.
Price: Rs.150/-. Pages: 192.
Available with TTD Book Stall, TiruNilayam, Himayatnagar