Purandaradasa: Purandaradasa was born in 1484. He is considered to be the Pitamaha of carnatic music, because he codified the teaching of carnatic music by evolving several graded steps like Sarali, Jantai and Thattu Varisai, Alankaras and Geethams which are the essential lessons for beginners. Purandaradasa also composed thousands of songs with the mudra "Purandara Vittala"
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Thyagaraja: Thyagaraja was born in Thiruvarur in 1759. He learnt music from Sonti Vekatarmnayya and impressed his master with his musical prowess. In his early years, he was exclusively devoted to the worship of Lord Rama. He sang several songs in praise of Rama and other deities. Thyagaraja is reputed to have composed over 24,000 pieces. He composed the "Pancharatna Kritis" which are called the Five Gems and also the three operas Nauka charitam, Sita Rama Vijayam and Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam. Thyagaraja`s songs covered a wide range of subjects. He is the greatest composer and musician of the carnatic tradition.
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Muthuswamy Dikshitar: Muthuswamy Dikshitar was born in 1775 in Thiruvarur. Even before he was sixteen , he became proficient both in vocal music and in playing the veena. His songs, with the mudra "Guruguha", are sung in praise of several deities. Besidesthis, he also composed the Navagraha Kirtanas and Kamalambal Nava Varna Kritis. On Deepavali Day, 1835, he passed away while listening to his brother Balluswamy Dikshitar singing the lines "Meena Lochani Pasa Mochani" on Meenakshi.
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Syama Sastri: Shyama Sastri was born in Tiruvarur in 1763. Since he was born under the star of Krithika, he was christened Venkatasubramanya Sarma. But his parents called him Syama Krishna. He became proficient in Sanskrit and Telugu in his early years. A savant from the North Sangeeta Swami realized his potential and taught him the Sangeetha Sastra for three years and blessed him, saying that he would be a great musician. Syama Sastri through the grace of Kamakshi, soon fulfilled this expectation and composed several krits, swarjathis, and thana varnams with the mudra "Syama Krishna". His compositions are considered to be difficult and rendered only by those proficient in Music.
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Swati Tirunal: Swati Tirunal was born in 1813 under the star Swathi in the royal family of Travancore. From the age of 16, he was able to administer the State. Unlike many rulers who turned to a life of ease and pleasure, Swathi Tirunal took to music to attain peace of mind. His compositions are varied and include pada varnams, swarajathis, tillanas and padams that are suitable for dance. The dominant quality of his compositions is the intense "bhakthi" or devotion to his family deity, Padmanabhaswami. His kritis carry the mudra "Padmanabha" or other variations to indicate Padma or Lotus. He has composed songs in various languages like Sanskrit, Malayalam and Telugu since he was proficient in all of them. His Navarathri Kritis are sung on each day during the nine day Navarathri festival in Trivandrum.
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