Who among the following form the "Trinity of Carnatic Music"?
(A) Syama Sastri
(B) Muthuswami Dikshitar
(C) Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar
(D) Thyagaraja
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A), (B) and (D) only
The Trinity of Carnatic Music is the name given to three composers of the 18th and 19th centuries, all born in Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu, whose songs (kritis) still form the core of Carnatic concerts.
(A) Syama Sastri Correct. Syama Sastri (1762-1827), the eldest of the three, is known for his kritis in praise of the goddess Kamakshi and for his complex rhythms.
(B) Muthuswami Dikshitar Correct. Muthuswami Dikshitar (1775-1835) composed mostly in Sanskrit, and his kritis are known for their slow, stately style and for covering a very wide range of ragas.
(C) Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar Incorrect. Chembai (1896-1974) was a famous Carnatic singer of the 20th century from Palakkad in Kerala, a performer born long after the Trinity, not one of them.
(D) Thyagaraja Correct. Thyagaraja (1767-1847) composed hundreds of Telugu kritis in praise of Lord Rama, including the Pancharatna kritis sung every year at the Thyagaraja Aradhana in Thiruvaiyaru.