Composers

Turkish · Istanbul, Turkey

The greatest composer of Ottoman classical music; his 600 surviving compositions — fasıls, ilahis, and şarkıs — defined the golden age of the makam tradition in Istanbul.

Arab · Baghdad, Iraq

9th-century Arab musician who transformed Andalusian culture after his arrival in Córdoba; added a fifth string to the oud, founded the first music conservatory in Europe, and established standards of taste still felt today.

Indian · Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu

One of the Carnatic Trinity, renowned for his erudite compositions combining deep Sanskrit scholarship with mastery of every raga; his kritis are the most harmonically rich in the Carnatic tradition.

Indian · Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu

The oldest of the Carnatic Trinity, known for the emotional depth and formal elegance of his compositions; his Navaratna Kritis in praise of the goddess Kamakshi are considered the summit of his art.

Indian · Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

King of Travancore and prolific composer who wrote devotional and classical pieces in seven languages; his palace became a cultural center that brought Carnatic, Hindustani, and Western music together.

Indian · Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu

South Indian Carnatic music composer and devoted bhakta of Rama; one of the Trinity of Carnatic Music, he composed over 24,000 kritis — most of them personal devotional dialogues with his god.