Last night I listened to "ramanukku mannan mudi" rendered by Nithyashree Mahadevan and "en palli kondeeraiyaa" by the bombay sisters.They are both compositions by Arunachala Kavirayar.Meant for Dance Dramas,his compositions are exquisite and will bring out the best talents in dancers.It is so apparent that the lyrics have been written with dancers and performers in mind.One can imagine the abhinayas when listening to the songs.

Impressed and excited,I went online and researched for the life story of this great composer.Here's what

I found.Please feel free to correct what is wrong.

ARUNACHALA KAVIRAYAR - EMINENT COMPOSER...................(1711 - 1778)

Born at Tillaiyadi in Thanjavur District in 1711 (or 1712), of Nallathambi Pillai and Valliammal, he had his initial education locally and then joined the Mutt Institution at twelve on the demise of his father. On completion of his course he set up a small jeweller's shop. Business took him to nearby Sirkazhi, where he met his old colleague and then branch-head of the said mutt, Chidambaram Pillai. Responding to his wishes, Arunachala settled at Sirkazhi and established contacts with two musicians, Sattanadhapuram Venkatarama Ayyar and Kodandarama Ayyar, who found in Arunachala the genius and sparks of an eminent composer. They encouraged him to compose an opera agreeing to choreograph it. In a quid pro quo, tamil-teaching and music-tuition were exchanged.

It was one of the most fruitful collaboration in a noble task. 'Rama Nataka' upto 'Yuddha kanda' was composed and was composed and was taken by the two musicians to Madras. They came back pleased with the favourable response and recption to it. 'Rama nataka Kirthanas' were completed by Arunachala Kavirayar and taken to Srirangam for ceremonial release even as the great Kambar did. To establish his credentials, he composed the immortal piece 'En Palli Kondeerayya?' in Mohana raga. There have been few bharatanatya dancers who have not included this piece for their recitals. Grand in conception, exquisite in composition, the song brings out the artistic talents of the dancer to a high degree

Then the main opera 'Rama Nataka Kirthanas' was approved at the temple of the Lord Sri Ranganatha, to whom the dance-piece was addressed seeking reason for his reclining pose. This was in 1771 A.D. It ranks with the operas of Tyagaraja in Telugu and Tirtha Narayana in Sanskrit as well as Gopala Krishna Bharathi's Nandanar Charitram, which however was a daring brain-child of its author. The darus of Arunachala brought special encomiums

Arunachala Kavirayar was a prolific composer and is one of the greatest among Tamil poets. His works include
Sirkazhi Sthala Puranam
Sirkazhi Kovai
Hanuman Pillai Thamizh
Ajomukhi Natakam

besides rick kirtanas etc which are the favourite pieces of dancers like -
Yaro Evar Yaro - Bairavi
Anda Rama - Kedara gowla
Enakkun Irupadham - Ragamalika
Eppadi Manam - Kukhari
Kanden - Vasantha
Raghavane Saranam - Sahana

Ramanukku mannan mudi-Hindholam
Ramasami Konda Kolam - Kapi
Saranam Endrane - Sourashtram
Saranam Raghurama - Asaveri
Vandan - Mohanam
Yarendru - Yadhukula Kambhoji, etc.

Other songs include -
Kadaikannal - Asaveri
Avataram - Mohanam
Kooni Vandale - Mohanam
Irundane - Atana
Dryodhana - Kalyani and
Ramanai Kannara Kandane - Mohanam.