Musicians and music lovers congregate here before the Samadhi of one who was a unique combination of a musician, scholar, composer, a saint, a mystic and a poet all rolled into one.

Situated on the banks of the river Cauvery, Thiruvaiyaru has gained fame as the place where the saint composer Thyagarajaswami lived and composed his immortal songs. Displaying a sense of detachment so characteristic of all men sent as "emissaries of the creator" from a young age, Thyagarajaswami created a stunning musical edifice with a foundation of devotion, walls of verse and capped it with towers of vivid imagery.

Thyagarajaswami's chosen diety was Lord Rama. In Rama he saw the Creator, the Sustainer and the One into whom everything finally merges into. Rama, the very embodiment of truth and righteousness was not a mere idol in Thyagarajaswami's eyes, but a living, pulsating being with whom he conversed, with whom he poured out his feelings, whom he indulgently chided and who, he believed could guide mortals floundering in the choppy seas of earthly existence.

Thyagarajaswami composed thousands of songs which form the very core of Carnatic Music. Weaving a rich tapestry of music with threads of pure unalloyed devotion and embellished with gems of poetry, he takes the listener on a journey of pure bliss. He advocates a path of pure and selfless service and devotion. As he questions in hisfamous song "Sangeetha Gnanamu", of what use is technical prowess and knowledge if it is devoid of true devotion?

Echoing the Upanishidic values of total unquestioning surrender to the supreme being, Thyagarajaswami continues to inspire not only musicians and music enthusiasts, but all those desirous of spiritual upliftment with no prerequisites excepting belief in the lord. The blessings of the lord to Sage Valmiki that the Ramayana would exist on this earth as long as the mountains stood and the rivers flowed apply to Saint Thyagarajaswami too who shines like a resplendent star in the musical firmament of our sacred land.