Wednesday, August 15, 2007

JAYADEVA (1101-1173) Biography and Works

Jayadeva was perhaps the first composer to specifically mention the raga and tala of each of his poems.

His Ashtapadhis have been very famous among the carnatic artists, though, it is not very certain whether the specific ragas are sung the same way now as was done in Jayadeva's time.

Jayadeva is most well knows for his Sanskrit magnam opus Githa Govinda. He is also very prominent among the Vaishnavaite poets.

Musical Background: Jayadeva, the author of Githa Govinda, is an illustrious Sanskrit composer. He became an erudite scholar early in his life.

Region: He was born at Kindubilva (also called Kenduli) in Orissa. The village Kenduli is on the northern banks of the river Ajaya, in the delta of Veerabhoomi. He refers to his birthplace in the 7th Ashtapadi: "Kindubilva Samudra Sambhava". He was an Oriya Brahmin, born to Bhojadeva and Ramadevi.

Contribution: Gita Govinda, a widely known, highly popular opera of Jayadeva is the staple of devotional singers. They constitute the Songs Celestial called Ashtapadi as each has eight steps. The 24 songs have been translated into many languages of the world. All the hymns contain mangala slokas at the end. The place where Jayadeva began and completed the hymns has since been called Jayadevapura.

Theme: Devotion through Sringara Rasa (romanticism).

Languages used: Sanskrit and Oriya

Signature: He used his own name as mudra.

Popular compositions: Rase harimiha

Compositions:

Pravisarade Ghanta Jhampa Ashtapadi


Radhika Krishna Desakshi Adi Ashtapadi


Ratisukhasare Kedaragaula Adi Ashtapadi


Srita Kamala Bhairavi Triputa Ashtapadi


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