Muthuswamy Dikshitar

Question 1

Where and when was he born?

Answer 1

Tiruvar, Tamil Nadu in 1776

Question 2

Who was in his family?

Answer 2

Mother: Subbulakshmi Ammal
Father: Ramaswamy Dikshitar
Brothers: Balaswamy, Chinnaswamy
Sister: Balambal

Question 3

What did he complete his studies in and what did he have proficiency in?

Answer 3

• Sanskrit + allied subjects
• Proficiency in Telugu

Question 4

In Manali, who was impressed by Dikshitar’s intelligence and what did he do? What did Dikshitar learn there?

Answer 4

• Saint Chitambara Yogi of Varanasi (Benares)
• Took him to Varanasi as his disciple for 5 yrs
• Learnt Hindustani music

Question 5

Where did Dikshitar return after his guru passed away?

Answer 5

Manali

Question 6

What was his first piece (ragam, talam) and what was he inspired by?

Answer 6

• Srinathadi Guruguko Jayati Jayati
• Raga: Mayamalavagowlai
• Tala: Adi
• Inspired by piece of sugar candy put in his mouth by Lord Subramania which disappeared when praying at holy shrine in Thiruttani

Question 7

What was his next song called, what raga is it in, where was he going, why, what was he inspired by and what happened after this?

Answer 7

• Anandamrita
• Raga: Amritavarshani
• Ettayapuram after death of brother Chinnaswami
• To see only surviving brother Balaswami
• Saw large area of barren land
• Heavy downpour that brought instant relief

Question 8

After staying in Ettayapuram for a few months, where did he return to?

Answer 8

Thiruvarur

Question 9

In what year did Muthuswami attend a royal family marriage, where did he go and how long did he stay there?

Answer 9

• Early in 1835
• Ettayapuram
• Few months

Question 10

What was one of his last comps, what raga and tala is it, when and where did he compose this and when did he pass away?

Answer 10

• Meenakshi Me Mudam Dehi
• Raga: Purvikalyani
• Tala: Adi
• Composed in Madurai during his last trip to to Ettayapuram
• Died on 21 Oct 1835

Question 11

What group kritis did Dikshitar compose and what is his mudra?

Answer 11

• Panchaliga Sthala
• Navagraha
• Kamalamba Navavarna
• Avayamba Navavarna
• Mudra = Guruguha

Question 12

How many kritis composed in how many ragas are available today?

Answer 12

• 461 Kritis
• 191 ragas

Question 13

What kalam did he often choose and why?

Answer 13

• Vilambitha kalam
• To introduce fine musical patterns + Madhyamakala Sahityams at end of kritis

Question 14

What can be found in many of his comps?

Answer 14

Raga Muthirai