A musical musing on an exalted devotee
In Carnatic Music, Tyagaraja the great devotee of Rama enjoys exalted status. But in Tyagaraja’s view, it was Bhadrachalam Ramadas who was the greater. There are at least three direct references to the latter in the former’s compositions and in addition, there are numerous songs that have entire phrases and themes that seem to have been inspired by Ramadas. Along like several other pre-Trinity composers Ramadas’ music is lost almost in entirety, and only a partial corpus of lyrics survive. But what remains gives us a glimpse of his virtuosity. And there is Bhadrachalam itself, by the majestic Goutami, with its temple to Rama, standing testimony to the devotion of Saint Ramadas.
A treatise on the Saint’s life and music
The composer’s life and lyrics were the subject of detailed study by the late Dr MS Rajajee, IAS, who retired as Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh. He, along with DVN Gopalakrishna, Head, Department of Telugu, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Hyderabad, brought out a critical edition titled Spiritual Heritage of Bhakta Ramadas (1999, Dept of Endowments, Govt. of Hyderabad). This publication is of great use for those who are not fortunate enough to know Telugu.
Gopanna – who became Saint Ramadas
That a temple for Rama existed at Bhadrachalam before Ramadas is not disputed. In fact, in his song Barayya Manage Rangayya, Purandara Dasa sings of Parama Pavitra Rama Bhadrachaladhisa. And so it must have been a place of pilgrimage even in the 15th and 16th centuries. But a hundred years later, the temple was gone, and the idols buried in the sands. This was when Pokala Damakka, a devotee is said to have unearthed them, following a dream. She approached Kancherla Gopanna, the then tehsildar of Palawancha for help in building a suitable temple. This he promised to do, and that marked his transformation into Bhadrachala Ramadas.
Early life
Born into the Kancherla family early in the 17th century as the son of Linganna Mantri, Gopanna was of aristocratic stock. His family members were prominent in the service of the Sultans of Golconda. A kinsman Podala Lingappa features prominently in East India Company records as the Naik of Poonamallee. But more important where his cousins/brothers in law – Akkanna and Madanna who were ministers and confidantes of the last Sultan of Golconda, Abul Hasan Tana Shah who ruled from 1672 to 1686. It was thanks to these two brothers that Gopanna became the tehsildar of Palawancha.
The Divine misappropriation
Gopanna began constructing the temple with his personal funds. However, when they ran out he began diverting the state revenues to the project. Abul Hasan was a liberal ruler but even he could not countenance misappropriation and so Gopanna was arrested. He remained in prison at Golconda for twelve long years during which time he sang his heart out to Rama. Legend has it that at the end of the ordeal, Rama and Lakshmana themselves settled the debts to the treasury. Gopanna was a free man, and as Ramadas he spent his remaining years at Bhadrachalam.
His life acquired a lot of colour at the hands of Harikatha performers, who freely took in stories from the lives of the Bhakti poets such as Tukaram, the Nayanmars and Purandara Dasa and made them part of the legend of Ramadas. In reality his later years are unrecorded. What we do know is that Aurangzeb invaded Golconda in 1686 and took Abul Hasan prisoner. Madanna was killed by the public in the confusion that followed. The fate of Akkanna is unknown. Abul Hasan was treated well by Aurangzeb though he was denied personal freedom. Both captor and captive lie buried within a kilometre of each other at Khuldabad, near Aurangabad. Abul Hasan is now venerated as a saint.
Liberal Devotion to Sri Rama – A Saint’s inimitable way
The compositions of Ramadas though set to various tunes, shine forth in their lyrical beauty. There are a few songs describing Bhadrachalam itself and the way it grew under his watchful guidance. But what stand out are the pieces that throw light on the devotee’s easy approach to Rama. There is a composition that gives a list of the jewels that the composer made for the various deities and the expense he incurred in this. That the currency is varahan makes the song of historic significance. But what is of interest is the question he asks Rama – Did your father Dasaratha give you all this or was it your father-in-law Janaka? Whose father’s property do you think it is that you are dancing around wearing?
It is believed that Ramadas’ incarceration ended when he appealed to Sita in the composition Nanu Brovamani Cheppave. He asks her to intercede on his behalf with Rama and even tells her when to do it – when she is alone with him in bed, pressing his cheeks in a moment of supreme enjoyment.
To the great composer, Rama accepted all forms of devotion. That is what makes Him special.
This Article appeared in The Hindu on April 09
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Thanks for another excellent article! After reading your piece, I started reading Dr MS Rajajee’s book on Bhadrachala Ramadasa. He and his co-author Shri Gopalakrishna have written a master-piece. I will complete the book in a couple of days. When I saw the name of Dr Rajajee, I remember an old article he wrote about Sir Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer. Perhaps you might have already read it. http://www.krishnaswami-alladi.com/TheAlladiDiary/articles/SirAlladisLife/akiyerbyrajajee.pdf