'The Mucukunda murals in the Tyagarajaswami Temple , Tiruvarur', a book by Dr.David Shulman and V.K.Rajamani will be launched on September 4 at 6pm under the Banyan Tree at the Kalakshetra Foundation.
On the ceiling of the Devasiriya Mandapam in the third prakara of the Tyagarajaswami Temple in Tiruvarur, an unfinished set of around 50 painted panels depict the story of the monkey-faced Chola king Mucukunda, who is said to have brought saint Tyagaraja from heaven, down to Tiruvarur. The story is well-documented in medieval Tamil texts such as Kantapuranam of Kacciappa Civacariyar and Campuntamunivar's Tiruvarurpuranam.
The paintings, although in a shockingly dilapidated condition, are among the best surviving examples of late-Nayaka or early-Maratha-period murals.
For the last three, Prakriti Foundation was working on the restoration of these panels. The restoration work has now been completed and will culminate with the book release. ..........
Note: In para 2 above it is mentioned 'saint' as prefix to Tyagaraja. It is commonly used for Carnatic music composer Tyagaraja only. Here it should have been "Lord".