Pacchimiriam Adippayya - Profile

PACCHIMIRIAM ADIPPAYYA - RENOWNED COMPOSER...............(18th Century) 'Even though there are other varnams, there can never be another tana varna to equal the brilliance of 'Viriboni' even in the future, says Subbarama Dikshitar in 'Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini'. Percussion wizard Dakshinamurthi Pillai would feel out of sorts if 'Viriboni' was not in the concert initially for the reason that the breezy tempo it generates and the vitality it lends were lost to the percussionist. Pacchimiriam Adippayya is the celebrated author of the Bairavi raga varnam 'Viriboni'. He has composed varnas for beginners and songs in rakti and desi ragas, besides gitas ad prabandhas. He is credited with systematising concert patterns and methods with raga alapana, madhyamakala and pallavi.

There is an interesting account in the life of Syama Sastri of the Trinity. Sangita Swami Yati Sreshta, who initiated him into the intricacies of raga and tala, advised Syama Sastri 'to listen to but not follow Adippayya'. Adippayya was, however, delighted to receive Syama as a disciple since he saw visions of Devi Kamakshi's blessings in taking him. Syama Sastri's family were doing poojahs to the deity of Kamakshi Amman at Tanjore as hereditary archakas. Pallavi Gopalayyar, Sanjeevayyar and Ghanam Krishnayyar were among his eminent disciples, apart from Syama; and all of them have left an indelible mark. Subbukutti Ayya, an eminent veena artiste (circ.1813-1846) was a grandson of Adippayya and he graced the Courts of the rulers of Pudukottai and ravancore (Swati Tirunal). Dr. U.Ve. Swaminatha Ayyar makes mention of one Tiruvaiyaru Pachimiriyalu Sesha Ayyar as a good vocalist and composer of gita prabandhas. Whether he is connected to Adippayya is not known. Vina Krishna Ayyar, his son, has authored the work 'Sapta Taleswaram'. Few families have such distinction in successive generations. Adippayya is reported to have followed Veerabhadrayya's style.

Adippayya was Asthana Vidwan under Rajahs Pratap Simha and Tulajaji of Tanjore (1741-1787).

It is unfortunate that fuller account of the lives of several stalwarts are not available. They chose to leave little account of themselves in conformity with the Hindu belief to shed egoism and promote anonymity, which find beautiful reflection in Owen Meredith:

'That man is great, and he alone,
Who serves a greatness not his own,
For neither praise nor pelf;
Content to know and be unknown;

Whole in himself.'Adippayya is called 'Tana Varna Margadarsi' (trail blazer) and Architect of Swarajati as a dance music form.