018 :Raaga: Nalina kaanthi - Carnatic & Cinema songs

017 : SPB and Illayaraja Magical combo hit.. Nizhalgal

016 : 2 Classical - Unforgetable Melodies of Illayaraja SPB Duo..

015: Ustadon Ke Ustad - Moh Rafi and Vallavanukku Vallavan

Whats the similarity between Mohd Rafi's Ustadon Ke Ustad and MSV's Vallavanuku Vallavan..
here's an song ..that answers the question.....I was downloading the old Mohd Rafi songs a year back and i stumbled upon this song. and it sounded very familiar..Oh I got it.. one of the very classics of MSV ..

014: Yeri Karaiyin Mele' in Kadhri's Sax..

Background Music~1954

Movie Muthalali'

Song Yeri Karaiyin Mele'

Music: K.V. Mahadevan~On Saxaphoneby Kadri Gopalnath

Raaga: Deva gaandhari

013 :Anuragamule - MSG Masterpiece..

Anuraagamule, is one of my favourite songs in Carnatic. I developed a strange affection to the song rather i need to say reverence coz of the raaga name "saraswathi". Needless to say a school student, who has been advised consistently to Pray Saraswathi for knowledge. Probably to please goddess Saraswathi i practised this raaga more frequently and Anuraagamule is one of the few Carnatic Songs I could play without any difficulty and to great extent confidently with my own design and innovation. This also reminds me of the cutchery i played where i spent more than 8 to 10 mins on this song in a 25 min slot.

MSG is my Maanaseega Guru for Violin..and i admire his style of violin..and Saamaja Varagamana (Hindolam, aAdhi) is one of my favourites...here MSG plays my favourite Anuraagamule!!!

Song : Anuragamule
Ragam: Saraswathi
Talam:Roopaham
Krithi: Saint Thyagaraja
64 vaacaspati janya
Aarohanam : S R2 M2 P D2 S
Avarohanam: S N2 D2 P M2 R2 S
pallavi
anuraagamu lEni manasuna sujnaanamu raadu
anupallavi
ghanulaina antar jnyaanulaku eruka gaani
caraNam
vaga vagagaa bhujiyincEvaariki truptow reetisaguNa dhyaanamu* paini sowkhyamu tyaagaraajanuta
Meaning: Divine wisdom will not blossom in the minds of those devoid of devotion. Enlightened souls are well aware of this. Just as satisfaction got by eating a delicious meal in a relaxed manner only those who meditate on the splendour and attributes to the Supreme with a form can derive genuine experiences of bliss

Lyrics Source: http://www.karnatik.com/c1338.shtml

012: Thiruvasagam: Raja's Symphony

A great Classical Crossover of our time. This masterpiece is one in one billion.

011: Bhajan from the movie Raghavendra.

An Interesting Song from Telugu Movie Raghavendra, very serene..and positive. Picturisation of Manthrlaya Temple early in the morning, would enchant the viewer and instil peace

Lyrics:

hE...mantrAlaya deepA...
sree raghavendra gurunathA...prabO.. pAheemA..
sree raghavendra gurunathA...
nammina nA madi matralayamEgA..
O..nammani vAriki thApathrayamE gA
sree guru bodhalu amrita mayamEgA ..
O..challani choopulu suryadayamE gA
gurunAdha rAghavendra
sree krishna pArijAtha
hanumantha sakthi sandrA
hari nAma gAna geetha
nee thungabadra mA pApAlE kadagangA..
thungA dalAla sevA thulasi thalala pooja andukO
nirAsa mogE vEla mA durAsa rEgi vEla
nee bhajanE ma brathukai poneevA
padAla vaalE vEla nee padAlu pAdhE vEla
nee charanam mA sharanam kAneevA
manasu thEllani himavanthA
bhavamu theercharA bhagavanthA
mahini dAchina mahimantA marala choopumA hanumanthA
nee veena theegalO yogAlE palukangA...
thungA dalAla sevA thulasi thalala pooja andukO..
(nammina nA madi matralayamEgA..)
O..vinAsa kAlam lona dhanAsa pudithE lona
nee pilupE ma marupai pothuntE
vayassu pAdE vEla vasanthamAdE
vElanee thalapE maa thalupE
mosthuntEvElugu chooparA
gurunadhavitalu theerchara yathirajaihamu maapE
nee hitha bodha paramu choopE
nee priya dAthanee naama gAnamE
pranalai palukangA..
thungA dalAla sevA thulasi thalala pooja andukO..
nammina nA madi matralayamEgA..O..

010:Is it by design or accident..?

I've come across several instances of songs getting inspired from one place or other..some times same music director uses the same tune for his other language movies.. Here we can see two famous songs one in tamil and other in telugu by the same Music Director in different names one as Maragadha mani and other one as Keeravani..i was confused in the beginning..later when i wanted to record this i did some research and found out they are one and the same...

 

009: Taal of ARR

A R Rehman or Mozart of Madras ~Modern day Musical genius. Right from Roja to till day,  has been a whole some entertainer providing refreshing music.

Here is beautiful song from the Bollywood flick "Taal" sung by Alka Yagnik & Sukhwinder.

008 : A brief history of Saint Thyagarja

A Brief History of Thyaga Bramham:(Source: http://www.saintthyagarajar.com/) Saint Thyagarajar was born to teach humanity the path of salvation through Music and Ramabakthi. His contribution to the cultural growth in south India is unique. He was a practical philosopher and dedicated his entire life to the practice of NADOPASA. He had composed several Kritis in various raghas.

Saint Thyagarajar was born in Tiruvarur in the Thanjavur District on 27th Chaitra, Srvajit, a Sukla Saptami corresponding to 4th May, 1767 according to one tradition and 1759 according to another tradition and named after the presiding deity (Lord Thyagaraja) of that temple town. The name THYAGA-RAJA means the 'Prince of Renunciation'. Thyagarajar was born as the third son of Ramabrahmam whose family profession was story telling (Katha Kalashepem) and a distinguished exponent of Ramayana who was patronised by the King of Thanjavur. His mother was Seethamma, the daughter of the asthana vidwan Veena Kalahastayya.

Very soon after the birth of the saint, the family shifted to Thiruvaiyaru. The king of Tanjavur had gifted a house to him in this village and here Thyagaraja not only spent the major part of his life but also attained samadhi. Saint Thyagarajar completed the study of Sanskrit and Telugu and mastered Valmiki Ramayanam and other religious literatures. His mother had a collection of the Purandaradasa and taught them to her son. He was thus introduced to the Sangita Pitamaha at a very early age and worishipped him as his adiguru. His precocity in music could not escape the notice of his father who put him under the tutelage of the court musician Sonti Venkataramanayya at the age of 16.

Thyagaraja absorbed all that the guru could teach him within a year. After that he was on his own, perfecting his technique by immersing himself in the study of musicology from various treatises. Since from the age of 17, he started singing small kritis. He also showed a flair for composing music and while in his teens composed his first song Namo Namo Raghavaya in Desikatodi and inscribed it on the walls of the house. He studied NARADIAM a treatise on music which he got from his grand father, Giri Raja Kavi.

In 1784, when he was 18 years, he married Parvathi. In 1785 at the royal court of Pudukottai Ramachandira Thontaiman, Thyagaraja had sung in Jothiswararupeni raga. In 1787, when Thyagaraja was 21 his father Ramabrahmam passed away. In 1787 at his age of 21, he got spiritual initiation into "Rama Shadakshari" mantra from a saint called Ramakrishnananda. In 1789, when he was 23 years old, his wife, Parvathi passed away. He married her sist

In 1802, his guru, Sonti Venkataramanayya arranged for his arangetram where the vidwands of the palace were assembled. Thyagaraja sang his own composition, Dorakuna ituvanti in Bilahari. The song starts by asking, 'It is possible to get darshan of Hari?'. At the end of the recital his guru, overwhelmed with emotion at his shishya’s performance. Thayagara’s fame as a composer of music was spreading fast. On hearing about him, King Sarabhoji II invited Thyagaraja to the palace to sing before him and also offered him the position of samasthana vidwan at the durbar. But Thyagaraja, who was very clear about his mission in life, refused and declined the offer. Thyagaraja's reputation as an outstanding musician and composer was due to his desire to compose only to serve Rama and not any human being. In the presence of leading musicians he was asked to sing at Thiruvaiyaru and Thanjavur on two occasions. His mudra is 'Thyagaraja'. In 1804 at his age of 37, his mother, Seethamma passed way.

Thyagaraja was constantly repeating the Rama Shadakshari mantra over 21 years and he completed in 1808 chanting 96 crores of Rama Nama.

In 1810, Thyagaraja’s daughter seethalakshmi was given in marriage to Kuppuswami. Thyagaraja's disciple Walajapettai Vekataramana Bhaagavatar brought a painting of Kothandarama, walking all the way from Walajapettai to Thiruvaiyaru and offered it to his guru. Seethalakshmi and Kuppuswami begot a boy who was named Thyagaraja who died issueless; thus came to an end the direct lineage of the composer.

In 1827, at the age 60, he celebrated Sastiaptha Purthi. In 1839 during the month of April, he visited Tirupati, but when he went to the temple, it was closed. In sadness, he sang "Teratiyagaraadaa" and the temple officials gathered round in admiration when they saw the door opening by itself and the screen falling aside. He sang "VenkaTEsha ninu sEvimpa" in his happiness at seeing the Lord.

While returning to Thiruvaiyaru, he visited Chennai-Kovur, where he composed Kovur Pancharatna during his stay with Kovur Sundara Mudaliar. Later he composed Thiruvetriyur Pancharatna while he was staying with Veena Kuppier. At the invitation of his disciple LaalguDi Raamayya, he composed the Laalgudi Pancharatna. He also composed the Shreeranga Pancharatna in praise of Ranganaata of Shreerangam and 5 kritis in praise of Sage Naarada.
On completion of this spiritual tour he reached Thiruvaiyaru at the end of October, 1839. In 1841, Gopalakrishna Bharathi visited Thyagaraja at his residence in Thiruvaiyaru. The Ghana Pancharatina Kriti, 'Endaro mahanubhavulu..' was composed when Chatkalam Govindamaarar visited him in 1843.

It was said that Lord Rama appeared before him on 27-12-1846 in his dream and offered him Motsa after 10 days. Next day he revealed this to his disciples and relatives during 'Egadesi Bhajanai'. Accordingly everyone believed that 6-1-1847 would be the day when he was excepted to become Mukdhi. The Saint took to Sanyasa on 5-1-1847 when he felt the premonition of his approaching end to his mortal life and called himself Nadha Premmananther. He attained Siddhi on the Pushya Bahula Panchami day in the year Parabhava 1847 A.D. (6-1-1847). His mortal remains were interred at a spot on the left bank of the river Cauvery at Thiruvaiyaru with the honor and religious rites due to a Sanyasi. A brindavan consisting of a conventional brick structure and Thulasi plant was put up.

Saint Thyagaraja is stated to have composed several Kritis. Two plays of him of Yakshagana type are available now. He had employed over 200 raghas. The Pancharatna Kritis are the most representative of Saint Thyagaraja's art as a composer. The Divyanama and Utsava Samprathaya Kritis composed by him are melodies. Though an ardent Ramabakthi he was, Saint Thyagaraja had also sung in praise of other deities as well. To him music was Nadopasana. The vanity of wealth or the pomp of power never tempted him.  er Kamala in 1790. He had a daughter called Seethalakshmi.

Thyagyya Movie: Part1 Part 2

The bulwark of a great culture, the Vijayanagara Empire fell at the end of the 16th Century. The invasion from the North brought in its wake. Quite a few Hindu families had to flee to southern areas which were still peaceful. Many found shelter under the benign rule of the Nayakas and the Maratha Kings of Tamilnadu. Particularly, a number of Telugu families went to South and formed nuclei of art and culture and Thyagaraja’s ancestors belonged to one such stock, as he describes himself as descending from a family of immigrant Vaidiga Brahmins of the Muriginadu sect belonging to Kakarla family (Kakarla is a village in the Kurnool District of Andhra). They moved to Tamil Nadu Country during the Vijayanagar period in early 1600’s.

007 : Magical Duo - IR & SPB

Magical Duo - IR & SPB "We all know "Annakili" 1976 was the first movie by raja, and many would even know the famous anecdote associated with the first recoding when Ilayaraja went ahead to record his first song power tripped off. Then recording was bad. Then when everything went on well and he wanted to listen to the song, to his shock. he discovered that the recordists did not run the tape and the song was not recorded. IR told that he felt that's the end of his career but we know what happened later . Now here is a the question, What was the first song by SPB in Raja's Music ? Answer in the next para.

A memorable anecdote an accident that bonded friend ship further

Anecdote associated with the movie and song: (Source) Raja was invited to compose for a film called UYIR. Bala and a few others sang and recorded 4 songs under Raja’s composition. The film never materialised. Then came Annakili. Bala and Raja were among the thickest of friends. However, when Annakili came by, Raja could not impose on using Bala. It was Raja’s debut and Panju had all the say. Raja was interested in breaking through. But when URAVADUM NENJAM was in the making, Raja made sure Bala was in. In an attempt to honour his close friend, Raja wanted to make sure he composed a song that would be cherished by both the composer and the singer. Remember the title of the film is also URAVADUM NENJAM. So Ilayaraja centered all his energy, effort and imagination to compose what would ever remain as one of the best songs for a best friend of his. Likewise, SP Bala too made sure he sang with much feeling. S. Janaki too followed suit. The lyrics were by Panju Arunasalam.The song, especially the orchestration was something unknown to many fans of Tamil film music. It is mentioned that the violinists found it really difficult to play the orchestration . Ilayaraja told Bala that the film would run for 100 days on the strength of the song. Raja proposed, but the moviegoers disposed. The film became an utter failure- commercially. However, the song became immortalised.The story did not end there. It was on the lips of Bala for a long time. Every time Bala entered the recording studio, he used to sing to himself or hum this song. And Raja used to immediately respond, “ Naama Ennnumo Nenachom, Padam Odalaiye daa” (These two friends called each other “vaada poda.”) (from one of IR’s interviews) Click here to Listen

"Oru Naal Unnodu Oru Naal" from Uravadum Nenjam, is the first song sung by SPB for Raja,

006 : Raagadevan Illayaja's experiments with music :01

There are seven swaras or notes (Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ne) , they are called as Sapthaswaras. Permutation & combination of these saptha swaras result in Raagas. Raagadevan - Illayaraja alias music has done innumerable experiments in music..Capturing it in a single blog would not be possible, it's not only possible but also impractical since Raja has travelled far and beyond in the ocean of music. Here is a small compilation of them - a view of child fascinating , standing at the shore looking at the ocean

rare note composed on 3 notes:

How to name it ? Illayaraja's reverberating fusion of Western & Indian Classical

Nothing but wind : Raja & Hariprasad blend soul stringing music

Raja tries to simulate his son Yuvan  in a concert

005 : Sindhu Bhairavi - An Overview

Raaga: Sindhu Bhairavi
Janya : nATakapriya
Aarohanam : S R2 G2 M1 G2 P D1 N2 S
Avarohanam: N2 D1 P M1 G2 R1 S N2 S
Sample: Sindhu Bhairavi (By Flute Bhaskaran..amidst Pyramids)
Description
Sindhu Bhairavi is said to have it’s orgin is from Hindustani, and is a morning Raga according to the North Indian Musical tradition .It is a variant of Raga Bhairavi even though it retains all the mannerisms of the parent Bhairavi however it’s rishaba is augmented to its shuddha rishaba shade. These days Sindhu Bhairavi is sung with both the rishabs and both the dhaivatas.Another way of looking at it is as a Sindhu from southern classical view point is as Variant of Sindhu(People who know about this in deatil can share them) .Other Sindhu Variants are sindu dhanyAsi,sindu gowri,sindu kannaDa,sindu mandAri,sindu rAmakriyA,sindu shuruTTi(Source:www.Karnatik.com). Coming back to Sindhu Bhairavi.It blends a folk and classical musicthat could be appreciated even by a common man without much of information on raaga.There are also very few krities in the parent Naatakapriyaa. It admits of many semi-classical tunes and is often used towards the end of a Carnatic concert.
The following are songs in sindhubhairavi.kannane kandaayo,bhajare,smaram vaaram vaaram,,kalyanagopalam,ninnaye rathi entru,shanmugham bhaje,viswesware darsan kar,bhajabhaja maanasa,raamachandraprabhu,manathirkkukantha,karunai daivame,etc.This is a sankararaaga.used for minor classical songs.acording to dr s.ramanaathan sindhubhairavi was a janya from desyathodi.Naatakapriya is a raaga with the same notes as thodi except a chathusruthy daivatha and sindhubhairavi of ancient yore was sung like that
Trivia

1. It is interesting that there appear to be absolutely no krities in this raaga (sampurna janya of Naatakapriyaa) by the Trinity.
2. Sindhubhairavi is sung as a janya of Thodi.Some also say that it is natabhairavijanya.
3. Swathithirunaal,pattanam subramanyaiyer,thanjavoor sankarayyar,etc have some compositions in it.There is also a thillana to lalgudy jayaraman's credit,and bajare gurudaivam of balamuralikrishna.
4. There was another sindhubhairavi,of naatakapriyajanya in ancient times which was a madhyaraaga and it is not sung by musicians usually.
5. Milen Sur Mera Tumhara : (Referenced from Musical Experts) The national integration song was composed in Sindhu Bhairavi . It has same lyrics sung in different Indian Languages in the same raaga variants according to local blend. Composed by Louis Banks. Lyrics by Piyush Pandey

Some Discussions
There are people who say by no means can Sindhu Bhairavi can be considered a janya of Natakapriya. Since Sindhu Bhairavi, takes its roots from Hindustani Bhairavi, can at best be described a janya of mELa 8, similar to its classification in Hindustani under Bhairavi
Non Cinema Songs

1. Venkatachala nilayam , Vaikunta Pura vasam ;Purandaradasa
2. rAma rAma Prayaga Ranga Dasa; Aadi tALam
3. bhaja bhaja mAnasa ; swAti tiruNAL ; Aadhi tALam
4. kAntamAm kathirkAmam ; Mayuram Viswanatha Sastri ;Eka tALam
5. Ramachandra PrabhO ; Swathi thirunal
6. Karunai Deivamey; Madurai Tsrinivasan; Aadi tALam

Cinema Songs

1. Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan ;Mera Naam Joker; Shankar Jaikishen
2. Jiyan Jale Jaan Jale ; Dilse; AR Rehman
3. Poongatru Pudhirandhu ; Moondram Pirai ; Illayaraja
4. Ennai Yarendru enni enni ; Paalum Pazhamum; Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
5. Kalyanamalai Kondadum Penney ; Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal; Illayaraja

Anecdotes associated with Raaga
Paapanaasam Sivan had written the lyrics as 'Mugamadhu(mugam+adhu) chandra bimbamO'. MKT was rehearsing the song for the film. Along came the famous comedian N.S.Krishnan. As soon as MKT had sung the first line, 'mugamadhu chandra bimbamO', he followed up immediately with, 'Esu enna bimbamO?':-) This made Paapanaasam Sivan to change the first line into, 'vadhanamE chandra bimbamO' (Referenced from Sindhu Bhairavi Analysis Discussion)

004 Godavari Songs

Godavari - Songs

Godavari - Movie by Shekar kammula, is one of the best musicals of the recent times. Lyrics of Vetturi and music by Shri Radhakrishnan are mesmerizing. It's really rare for the movies to  have all the songs to be scintillating. Every song is unique and very refreshing.

Uppongele Godavari rendered by SPB, has a Hamsanadham base remember the carnatic kruthi .."Bantu reethi kolu ..diya vayya raama and revers Godavari river.
Manasa gelupu is fast pace number that energizes and boosts the spirits.
Unnikrishnan renders a soothing 'Manasa vacha' with amazing diction in Telugu.
Rama Chakkani & Andamga Lena is my all time favourite for the lyrics and rendering.

Songs list - Uppongele Godavari, manasa gelupu,Admga Lena,Manasa vacha,Rama chakkani interlude & Ramachakkani.Tappalu tippulu

003 :Melodious Retreat :Thunga Theera Virajam

Melodious Retreat :Thunga Theera Virajam 



Sri Guru Raghavendra



Song : Thunga Theera Virajam

Raaga: Yamin Kalyani

Tala: Adi

Composer: Kamalesha Dasa

thunga theera virajam
bajamana ragavendra yadhi rajyam
mangala jara manthralya vasam
sringaranana raaji praksam

karadrida dhanda kamandalanumaanam
surichirachelam thrida manimaalam

nirupama sundara kaaya susheelam

baja kamalesha puja nija charitham

In tamil :

துங்கா தீர விராஜம்

பஜமன ராகவேந்திர யதி ராஜ்யம்

மங்கலகர மந்த்ராலய வாசம்

ஸ்ரிங்கரனன ராஜீ பிரகாஷம்

கரதிரத தண்ட கமண்டலனுமானம்

சுரிசிரச்சசேலம் த்ரிட மனிமாலம்

நிருபமா சுந்தர காய சுஷீலம்

பஜ கமலேஷ புஜ நிஜ சரிதம்