Kakarla Tyagabrahmam (4 May 1767 – 6 January 1847) or Saint Tyagaraja, also known as
Tyagayya in Telugu or
Tyagarajar in Tamil, was one of the greatest composers of
Carnatic music or
Indian classical music. He was a prolific composer and highly influential in the development of the
classical music tradition. Tyagaraja composed thousands of devotional compositions, most in
Telugu and in praise of Lord
Rama, many of which remain popular today. Of special mention are five of his compositions called the
Pancharatna Kritis (English: "five gems"), which are often sung in programs in his honour.