Narayana Teertha

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Narayana Teertha (c. 1580 - 1660 CE) was a composer of Carnatic music. Narayana was born in South India in the region covered by the present-day Andhra Pradesh and eventually moved to Thanjavur. He mastered music at a very early age and studied Puranas, Bhagavatam and other Sanskrit works. He renounced family at a very early age and took on a life of a religious devotion.

Narayana Teertha was the author of a Sanskrit opera called Krishna Leela Tarangini on the life of the Hindu god Lord Krishna. Narayan Theertha uses various literary and musical forms such as songs, prose passages, Slokas (praises in verse), Dwipadis (couplets), etc. The lyrics are simple yet beautiful and effective.

He is also credit with composing two other operas, Parijatha Apaharanam and Haribhakthi Sundarnavam. These are unfortunately extinct now.