Trinity of Carnatic

Shyama Sastri [1763-1847 AD]-

He's the oldest of Trinity and a contemporary of Muthuswamy Dikshitar. He was born to Sri Viswanatha Iyer and Vengalakshmi on April 26, 1762 in auttara vadama community. Surprisingly, his parents had no interest in music and his forefathers were archakas in a Bangaru Kamashi, the Godess Temple.

At the age of eighteen when the family moved to Tanjore. It is said that here he started learning carnatic by a Sanyasi who was the host at that time for his family.
It is said that he has composed three hundred pieces in all. Though a tamil, he learnt telugu and most of his compositions are in telugu.

Like his contemporaries he too predicted his last days. For further reading, check the following link.
http://www.srithiyagarajatemple.org/syama.asp

Thyagaraja [1767-1847 AD]

A well renowned south Indian classical musician, popularly know as saint Thyagaraja (Thyagayya in Telugu). He was born in Thiruvarur [Tanjore, Tamil Nadu] on May 4th 1767 to Karkarla Ramabrahmam and Seethamma.

His compositions are so simple but rich in aesthetic. The concept of sangatis was introduced by him meaning melodic variations conveying the finer nuances of music and text, as a part of the Kritis.

Most of his compositions were on praise of the Lord, sri Rama. His contribution to the carnatic music are so exceptional and revered. Out of the compositions done by him, 5 most popular ones are known as "Pancha ratna kritis", meaning 5 gems.

Every year to pay tribute to Sri Thyagaraja swamigal, Thyagaraja Aradhana festival is conducted where people gather in numbers and sing pancharatna kritis.

For further reading, check the following link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ty%C4%81gar%C4%81ja
http://music.indobase.com/classical-singers/thyagaraja.html

Muthuswamy Dikshitar [1775-1835AD]

The youngest of trinity and a close friend of Shyama Satri. He was born in a family of musicians. Chidambaranatha yogi was his mentor who exposed Muthukumaraswamy alias Muthusamy
to Hindusthani, Sanskrit and Tantrik.

His compositions were very unique and his work can be very well seen in vibhakthi meaning same phrase giving different meaning when split. In most of the programs (Kacheries), Vatapi Ganapatim song would be sung which was his composition.

For further reading, check the following link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muthuswamy_Dikshitar