Q44. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements:
Most of the Tyagaraja Kirtis are devotional songs in Praise of Lord Krishna.
Tyagaraja created several new ragas.
Annamacharay and Tyagaraja are contemporaries.
Annamacharaya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B
Statement 1 is not correct: Saint Tyagaraja was a renowned composer of Carnatic music. He composed thousands of devotional compositions, mostly in Telugu in praise of Lord Rama, many of which remain popular even till this date.
Statement 2 is correct: Tyagaraja introduced and gave life to several unusual new ragas in Carnatic music. Some he created while others he found as mere scales in books and infused musicality into them.
Statement 3 is not correct: Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya was a saint composer in the 15th century, while Tyagaraja belonged to the 18th century. Hence, they were not contemporaries.
Statement 4 is correct. Annamacharaya was the earliest known Indian musician to compose songs called Sankirtanas in praise of God Venkateshwara, a form of Vishnu.
