Carnatic Music for Tamil's & Everyone

[RR]

I follow my friend Ravi's Facebook series on 'Carnatic music through Tamil songs' , which is a great one. In one episode, he talked about Telugu keerthana's, to which a Tamil friend responded like "I don't think I can ever appreciate Telugu keerthanas!". It made me think because I was like him a few years ago. But recently been exploring the meanings (thanks to carnatic forum's and blogs), and enjoying carnatic music at a different level. I thought like: why not share the experience with others. So here I am.

The idea is: I will pick a popular non-Tamil kriti, get a good rendition of it and then build a lyrical video with Tamil translations. Will be sharing them on this thread.

Please watch and enjoy..!

[RR]

Episode 1: Nagumomu ganaleni (Abheri) || Tyagaraja || 16 Dec 2020 (Margazhi 1)

The celebrated kriti of Saint Tyagaraja with lyrics translation in Tamil.

Background: Historically, Saint Tyagaraja’s brother – in a fit of anger – threw the saint’s favorite idol of Lord Rama into a pond. Anguished by this, the poet sang this kriti and, it seems, the idol revealed itself soon after.

Gist of the kriti: In this kriti, Tyagaraja expresses his anguish through a series of questions:

“Won’t you come and save me from the plight of not being able to see your smiling face? Was it your team of escorts who didn’t remind you? Or, did your vAhanam express inability to take you? To whom would I complain? So, please do show yourself up, Lord!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YinJM1EQqVk

[raagadevan]

Thank you RR! This is one of my favorite versions of this Thyagaraja krithi. I have posted the movie video of this on other threads several times.
Looking at and reading the meaning of the lyrics while listening to it opens up an ethereal dimension to this amazing composition. Thanks again! :)

[RR]

Thank you RR! This is one of my favorite versions of this Thyagaraja krithi. I have posted the movie video of this on other threads several times.
Looking at and reading the meaning of the lyrics while listening to it opens up an ethereal dimension to this amazing composition. Thanks again! :)

Indeed an amazing composition with very poetic lyrics. One of the first kritis that revealed to me why Tyagaraja is respected so highly. :bow:

But not surprised you like this KJY version so much : )

[RR]

Episode 2 - 'Jagadodarana' (Purandaradasa) - 23 Dec 2020

My carnatic music early days started in Bangalore with Purandara songs. This specific song chose itself when Vasu sir joined me on Margazhi 1, when I posted Ep 1. This song is a small tribute to Shri Vasudevan's kindness and passion.

Background: Legend says that the great Purandaradasa composed the kriti, mesmerised by the beauty of the Krishna idol at the Aprameya Swami temple located in Doddamallur, Karnataka.

Gist of the kriti: The kriti is about the innocent Yashoda who played with her son Krishna, oblivious to the fact that he was god. Indirectly, it refers to the ‘Maya’ that makes us ignore the presence of God everywhere.

Watch and enjoy..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgUFek6UY0Y

[RR]

Episode 3: Mahaganapathim - Nattai || Muthuswamy Dikshitar - 1 Jan 2021

"Appreciating non-Tamil kritis through lyrical videos with Tamil translations"

Background : Legend says that Dikshitar composed a series of kritis called ‘Shodasa Ganapati kritis’, dedicated to the sixteen (Shodasa) forms of Ganesha located in shrines around his birthplace Tiruvarur. This kriti refers to the ‘Maha Ganapati’ form.

Gist of the kriti : The kriti is an invocation to Lord Ganapati, and has meaning as below:
“I meditate upon the supreme Ganapati who is worshipped by Vasishta, the Vamadevas, etc. He is the son of Lord Shiva, and is praised by Guruguha. He shines bright like millions of cupids, is tranquil and loves great epics, drama, etc. He loves the sweet Modaka, and has a mouse as his mount”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdFPVhfPwxw

[RR]

Episode 4: Nannu brovu lalitha (Lalitha) || Sudha Raghunathan || Syama Sastry - 8 Jan 2021

"Appreciating non-Tamil kritis through lyrical videos with Tamil translations"

Background : Legend says that Syama Sastry (1762-1827) composed a series of nine songs, called navaratnamALika, on Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai. The kriti ‘nannu brovu lalitha’ is one among this precious set of compositions.

Gist of the kriti : In this kriti, Syama sastry pleads to Madurai Meenakshi, by saying that he trusts Her fully and believes the Goddess is the only savior, and so She should come fast and rescue him from all the worldly matters.
Raga Lalitha is fitting for the situation, and helps in bringing out the emotions beautifully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAKkAV4LrZU

[RR]

Episode 5: Jagadananda karaka (Nattai) || Tyagaraja - 15 Jan 2021

Background : Saint Tyagaraja (1767-1847) composed a set of 5 gems, called the Ghanaraga Pancharatna kritis, that are considered his best in terms of musical and lyrical richness, and are sung during the annual Tyagaraja Aradhana festival in Thiruvayaru. The kriti ‘jagadananda karaka’ is the first in this precious set of gems.

Gist of the kriti: In this kriti, Tyagaraja describes the auspicious nature and virtues of Lord Rama, by alternating between His divine personality (e.g. jagadananda karaka) and His human character (e.g. janaki prana nayaka). The entire composition revolves round these two aspects of Rama, the Divine and the Human.
The kriti is said to contain 108 names of Rama, some bijaksharas and mantras, amongst many other musical and lyrical beauties embedded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WZVg4vN36E

[raagadevan]

RR: Thank you for posting this BMK version! BMK is one of my three most favourite singing voices when it comes to Carnatic music.

[RR]

RR: Thank you for posting this BMK version! BMK is one of my three most favourite singing voices when it comes to Carnatic music.

I may be biased but I have not listened to anyone else doing justice to the pancharatna kritis like how BMK has done.

btw I think I know No.1, BMK No.2... Who is your third most favorite voice :smile2:

[raagadevan]

I used to think that Thyagaraja Swami composed the Pancharatna krithis hoping that someone with a divine voice will sing them in the future! Of course, BMK fulfilled Swami's wish! :)

[raagadevan]

btw I think I know No.1, BMK No.2... Who is your third most favorite voice :smile2:

RR:

Manna Dey is my third most favorite voice in Indian classical singing. This of course is Hindustani
(not Carnatic) music, but the voice is superb...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD5Pe4k3myI