If these were on specific characters in the Ramayana, the songs that describe various scenes from the epic are aplenty. Pahi Ramadhuta of Tyagaraja as sketched by S Rajam Sabari is envied for her good fortune in Entani Ne (Mukhari). Lakshmana is the central character in Mitri Bhagyame (Kharaharapriya). Anjaneya is sung of in Pahi Ramaduta (Vasanta Varali) and Kaluguna Padaniraja (Purna Lalita) apart from the oft-heard Gitarthamu (Surati). Not so often heard are Sariyevvare Sri Janaki (Sriranjani), Sri Janaka Tanaye (Kalakanti) and Dehi Tava Pada Bhaktim (Sahana). The hero Rama of course has numerous songs in his praise. Tyagaraja composed songs on each of the four principal characters of the Ramayana.
Tyagaraja’s Sri Janakatanaye sketched by S Rajam Tyagaraja was probably inspired by the Tamil work in composing this song, and perhaps to reflect that, chose to cast it in Harikamboji, a raga that came from the Tamil pann tradition. The Tiru Avatha Padalam of the work has all of the above details, as described by Vasishta himself. The first version of the Ramayana that has this interpretation is Kamban’s. The song also asks Rama if Vasishta, the great sage did not serve as his preceptor. Similarly, Tyagaraja asks if Adi Sesha did not incarnate as Lakshmana and the Devas came down to earth as monkeys. The piece asks if Shiva did not manifest himself as Hanuman so that he could stay with the Lord when he came to earth as Rama. The answer to that appears to be in Entarani tanaku. Reader Ravindra Narayanan commented that it was surprising that there was no reference to Kamba Ramayanam.
RAMAYANAM TAMIL SONG SERIES
An earlier instalment in this series ( Inspired by the Ramayanas, The Hindu Aug 4, 2016) looked at the various versions of the epic that influenced Tyagaraja.
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