Sarabha Sastri

Sri Sarabha Sastri (1872–1904) was an Indian flute player,^[1] known as the first great Brahmin flutist.^[2]

Sri Sarabha Sastrigal was born in 1872 to Viswanatha Sastri and Smt. Dharmambal. Blind at a young age, he was initiated into a career in music under the guidance of his maternal uncle Sri Kuppusamy Sastri of Tiruvadi near Thiruvaiyaru and later by Manambuchavadi Sri Venkatasubba Iyer, one of the disciples of Saint Thiyagaraja. Sri Sarabha Sastrigal was also taught how to play the flute by Sri Govindha Nayanakarar.

Sri Sarabha Sastrigal composed more than 500 Sahityas for Nayanmar charithrams, in various languages.

There is currently a trust, known as the "Venuganam Sarabha Sastrigal Memorial Trust" in Kumbakonam where they conduct Ekadasi Bhajans fortnightly, and Radha Kalyanam during the month of Margazhi. The trust has pictures of Sri Sarabha Sastrigal, and his flute.

Sri Saraba Saastrigal was living in Soliappa Mudali street in Kumbakonam. He undertook penance in ErAgaram, obtained divinity and brought peace and happiness to local population.Later, he organised "Sarba Kavadi", " Macha Kavadi" etc and spread the fame of this temple. ^[3]

References

1. ^ Sambamoorthy, P. (1966). South Indian Music. Indian Music Publishing House. p. 42. OCLC 113287. 
2. ^ Arnold, Alison (2000). The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. Taylor & Francis. p. 389. ISBN 9780824049461. 
3. ^ http://www.vedas.com/eraharam/main.htm

Persondata
Name	Sastri, Sarabha
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1872
Place of birth
Date of death	1904
Place of death