title: Paidala Gurumurti Sastri
text: # Paidala Gurumurti Sastri
  
  Gurumurti Sastri was a composer of Carnatic music who lived during the 18th century in the village of Kayatar in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
  
  ## Family
  
  His family name was Paidala. He learnt music from Venkatasubbayya. He was well-versed in both Sangitha and Sahitya. He was felicitated Madras.
  
  ## Gitas
  
  Gurumurti Sastri composed many Gitas, or short songs illustrating Janaka (means parent, also known as melakarta) and Janya ragas. He composed around 1000 gitas which earned him the name ' Veyi Gitala Gurumurti Sastri' . He was famous for his technical knowledge of the science of Ragas. His mudra (signature) was Gurumurthi.
  
  The Gitas he composed in Sanskrit were lost to time. Here are a few that sustained the test of time.
  
  * Neerajanayana in Dhanyasi
  * Sadapathim in Mohana
  * Kamsaasura in Sahana
  * Rere Sri Ramachandra in Aarabhi
  * Mandara Dhare in Khamboji
  