Sri Venkatasubbaiyar, famously known as UtthukkAdu is believed to have been born early in the 18th century - in the year 1700, and lived for 65 years or longer. Like all saintly persons, he preferred solitude. He was a jeevan muktha (realised soul) always immersed in devotion to his family deity, Sri Krishna. And away from the din and bustle, one could observe him sitting deep in contemplation, undisturbed and untroubled, filled with joyous peace. The story goes that he would regularly appear for a frugal midday meal at one of the charitabe houses established by good-hearted people in Needamangalam (a small place in the Tanjavur district of Tamil Nadu), where he lived. And there, breathing not a word to anyone, he would finish his meal, treating it largely as an unavoidable ritual that interrupted his concentration.
But then, Venkatasubbaiyar was not really alone. He was constantly in the company of his beloved Krishna, who danced for him. The composer's soul responded to the beat of the Lord's dance, by pouring forth an endless stream of melody, gushing with breathtaking musical phrases, frothing with exciting laya patterns. Once, he was composing and singing a song forgetting about the surroundings, in the rudra bhoomi (graveyard), his usual place of reprieve. When he came back with his worldly consciousness, he found muddy dust on his lap and what a sight! there he saw a blue-hued chubby child walking away getting down from his lap. All this time Krishna was listening to his song sitting on his lap.
Venkatasubbaiyar certainly benefitted from this communion with Krishna, but what is of importance to us is the benefit derived by the world of music from it. It inspired him to write some great compositions of carnatic music - in simple Tamil and dignified Sanskrit. He addressed most of the compositions to Krishna, his chosen deity (ishta devata). But there were others as well, including a set of navavarna krithis. He did not incorporate any mudra or signature in his songs.
Venkattasubbaiyar was nothing if not a master of rhythm. His use of rhythmic syllables in Kalinganarthanam has to be heard to be believed. In this composition, the dance of Krishna rivals Lord Siva's Ananda Thandavam itself. Its vibrant melody and soft syllables bring to one's mind Krishna's dancing presence. The variety of his compositions have been considerable, touching various facets of philosophy and bhakti. And the songs have been set in a choice of appropriate and attractive ragas ensuring their lasting appeal.
Almost all of his compositions in alphabetical order
Some of the popular compositions of Sri UtthukkAdu Venkatasubbaiyar
(Adapted from an article by A. Narayanan Chettiar)
This village called UtthukkAdu is in thanjAvUr (Tanjore) District in Tamilnadu some 20 miles from kumbakONam Taluk. Here is the famous Krishna temple where Sri UtthukkAdu Venkatasubbaiyar spent most of his life composing songs. The village is serene and untouched by the modernisation except the narrow road that runs at the edge of the village. As one approaches the famous kALinga nardhana krishNA temple from the road, the paddy fields on either sides of the mud road are so pleasing. The temple itself is located in a serene atmosphere except that it is want of maintenance for lack of funding. It's usually said that it's difficult to see the temple doors open. But this is not generally true. This is my personal experience. The nardhana krishNa idol is very spellbinding with alamkAram. The temple is very small (but very famous) and the prAkAram was being renovated when we went in March 2000. There is a tuLasi mADam in front of which Sri UVS used to sit and compose songs for the Lord. Just near the mADam, there is a small vigraham for Sri UVS himself. Just outside the temple adjacently, is a pond covered with moss and serene. It is believed, it is in this pond that Sri Krishna re-enacted kALinga nardhana prabhAvam fully just for Sri UVS's enjoyment.
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Written by V Chandrasekaran Last updated June, 2002.