The strings that resound in heaven - Vid. Chitti Babu - Veena Excerpts

Parvathi Finale

Vid. Chitti Babu - Sri Ramanavami at Parvathi - 1982 - Concert Excerpts

In heaven, there is said to be music always. Remember that the gods are blessed to listen to the greatest of musicians. If I imagine what music from here would hold even the gods in thrall, it would be the Veena music of Vid. Chitti Babu. Unlike the modern sounds of Veena, which mimic an electric guitar, his Veena resonated with a strange charm of pure, golden, metallic and acoustic vibrational soundscape. It was rich, melodious and invigorating. 

Yajnavalkya says,

वीणावादनतत्वज्ञः श्रुतिजातिविशारदः तालज्ञः अप्रयासेन मोक्षमार्गं नियच्छति

"The expert Vainika who knows ragas and talas well attain the path to liberation easily."

Vid. Chitti Babu arrived with his heavenly Veena music on the Mysore scene in the sixties. He enthralled audiences and even won the honour of getting the royal medallion. 

In this 1982 concert, he was accompanied by Vid. Palghat Raghu and Vid. Manjunath. Unfortunately, we could not retrieve the entire concert recording but only an excerpt of his Tanam and the Javali that followed. The Tanam is a bouquet of ragas which simply steal our hearts with their melody. The instrumental technique is something extraordinary by any standard. The purity of sound and the resonance of the plucking endorse the idea that Tanam was created only for the Veena!

The ragas are Shubhapantuvarali...

                                       Madhuvanti...

                                               Ranjani...

                                                      Revati...

                                                           Behag...

                                                                Kanada...

                                                                       Kapi...

Followed by the delectable Javali in Kapi, "Sarasamulade" by Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar.

Then comes a Tillana in Tilang... 

While listening to all these ragas pouring out, one thought of Kalidasa's Shyamaladandakam. He begins by saying how the Devi holds the Manikya Veena tenderly. He mentions how she holds the Veena called Vallaki and thoroughly enjoys its music. This comes again and again. And finally, he says she is being regaled by the celestials-

श्रवणहरदक्षिणक्वीणया वीणया किन्नरैर्गीयासे "You are being praised by Kinnaras accompanied expertly on the Veena that steals ears and hearts"... Did Kalidasa hear Vid. Chitti Babu?

Concert Details

Chitti Babu - Veena

Palghat Raghu - Mridangam

Manjunath - Ghatam

Sri Ramanavami Festival, Parvathi, Mysore held on 4 April 1982.

Chitti Babu = Veena Palghat Raghu - Mridangam Manjunath - Ghatam Date 4 April 1982

Worship through Music

Vid. Chittibabu
'Parvathi' Ganesha Festival 1968 Concert

A Review by R. Sachi

Dear rasikas, we wish you all a wonderful season of festivals, come earlier than usual in 2017. The famous Gauri Ganesha Festival of Mysore is upon us. Endless prayers, homas, image worship with the choicest of flowers, distribution of Prasad, the grand immersion procession, all fill our minds and hearts with the greatest joy.

Vid. Chittibabu should be described as a unique musician who produced the sweetest veena music in the world. We have already shared two concerts of his before. Here is a full concert performed 49 years ago in Parvathi Mysore! Vid. Chittibabu stormed the scene when Mr. K. Srikantiah introduced him to the appreciative audiences of Mysore in the 60’s.

In this concert, accompanied by some spirited percussion (Vid. Vellore Ramabhadran. Vid. Ramachar and Vid. Vaidyanathan), Sri. Chittibabu unleashes a plethora of beautiful ragas and songs.

The veena speaks to our hearts in the most loving manner. There cannot be any worship better than music. The great poet Kalidasa says in the Shyamaladandakam,

māṇikyavīṇāmupalālayantīṁ
madālasāṁ mañjuḻavāgvilāsām |
māhendranīladyutikomalāṅgīṁ
mātaṅgakanyāṁ manasā smarāmi ||

Translation: I pray to Gauri, daughter of Matanga Muni, of delicate limbs and lustrous mien
like the blue mountain, the charming maiden speaking with the sweetest voice, and
caressing the bejewelled veena.

The home of Parvathi, who have worshipped through music for seven decades and more, are conducting one more festival on 31 August, in memory of Sri. K. Puttu Rao. Here is the cordial invitation to all rasikas!

Vid. Chittibabu Concert from 49 years ago
Vid. Chittibabu – Veena
Vid. Vellore Ramabhadran – Mridangam
Vid. H.P. Ramachar – Khajira
Vid. Vaidyanathan – Ghatam
- Ganesha Festival held at Parvathi on 31 August 1968

Song List

01 Paridana micchite-Bilahari- Patnam Subramanya Iyer *** 02 Manivinala kinchara-Nalinakanti –Thyagaraja *** 03 Kamboji Raga*** 04 Tana in Ragamalika*** 05 Pallavi(Parimala Rangapate)-swara*** 06 Chinnanjiru kiliye(Ragamalika)- Subramanya Bharati *** 07 Govindamiha-Bageshri- Narayana Tirtha *** 08 Jagadodhaarana-Hindustani kapi – Purandara Dasa *** 09 Devaranama*** 10 Kommalo koyila*** 11 English note*** 12 Come september*** 13 Mangalam and Veda***

Knowing what we don't know - True Wisdom

VIDWAN CHITTI BABU PARVATHI RAMANAVAMI CONCERT 1975

(Courtesy: chittibabu.org)

R. SACHI NARRATES ....

Recently when I visited Mr. Srikantiah, he was bursting with joy for having discovered a full concert recording of Vid. Chitti Babu from the 1975 Ramanavami festival at Parvathi, Mysore.

Scarcity of magnetic spools, and the vagaries of recording and archiving, had buried this as well as assorted other concerts in tracks here and there. This fortuitous discovery and digitization have helped us to share the full concert this time.

Vid. Chitti Babu was highly popular among Parvathi audiences in 1960's and 1970's. He delivered always memorable concerts, with melody, classicism and delightful light numbers. In this concert too, he delivers to a full house a typical Chitti Babu repertoire, from RTP to light numbers, in the company of the great mridangam Vidwan Palghat Raghu and Ghatam vidwan Manjunath.

There is also some novelty. At Mr. Srikantiah's request, Vid. Chitti Babu takes up the mike and sings a rare padam. He needlessly cautions the audience, 'Mr. Srikantiah, here I go, as you wanted me to sing today. The outcome will be your 'graha-chara!’ What follows of course is a very melodious rendering of a padam composed by Sri. Sarangapani in Jinjhuti.

The concert begins tentatively, as the veena clears its throat with 'Ramabhakti Samrajya'. But the next item is an impassioned rendering of the famous Thyagaraja piece in Dhenuka. The saint laments that no one knows the path of Bhakti. As the wise say, our journey begins only when we discover that we don't know. After all, the Oracle of Delphi called Socrates the wisest man after he had confessed to everyone in Athens that he knew nothing. Bhakti is not really to be mastered as knowledge, but approached with the true humility befitting the seeker who knows that he knows nothing of God's ways and the path to liberation. We give below the translation of the actual lyric:

O śrī rāma! People are not aware (teliya lēru) of the path (mārgamunu) of bhakti.

Roamiṅg (tirugucunu) all over (antaṭa) the Earth (ilanu) (ilanantaṭa), they babble as if in a dream

(kaluvariñcēru); but (kāni), O Lord śrī rāma! they are not aware of the path of bhakti.

Getting up (lēci) early in the morning (vēga), taking bath (nīṭa munigi) (literally takiṅg dip in water), smearing (pūsi) sacred ash (bhūti) on the body, (performiṅg japa by) counting (eñci) fingers (vēḷḷanu)(veḷḷaneñci), and posing (veliki) (literally ostensibly) as praise-worthy (ślāghanīyulai), they became (airē) totally (bāga) (literally very) committed (lōlulu) (literally dedicated) (lōlulairē) to earning (ārjana) money (paikamu) (paikamārjana), but (kāni) O Lord praised (vinuta) by this tyāgarāja! they are not aware of the path of bhakti.

(Courtesy: http://thyagaraja-vaibhavam.blogspot.com )

The concert has a number of popular items like Ninuvina, Nagumomu, Mokshamu Galada, and an English note “Rhapsody”. The main item is the famous Pakkala Nilabadi in Kharaharapriya. The short but impressive Kalyani RTP with ragamalika swaras shows mastery over the veena. All in all a very memorable concert!

DETAILS – Ramanavami Concert, Parvathi, Mysore, April 20, 1975

Vid. Chitti Babu – Veena
Vid. Palghat Raghu – Mridangam
Vid. Manjunath – Ghatam



Song List

01. Rama Bhakti – Shuddha Bangala – Thyagaraja *** 02. Teliyaleru rama – Dhenuka – Thyagaraja *** 03. Ninuvina – Navarasa Kannada –Thyagaraja *** 04. Pakkala Nilabadi – Kharaharapriya – Thyagaraja ***05. Mokshamu Galada – Saramathi – Thyagaraja ***06. Nagumomu – Abheri – Thyagaraja *** 07. Ragama Tanam Pallavi – Kalyani ( Ragamalika swaras) *** 08. Bhaktiko – Jinjhuti Padam – Sarangapani *** 09. Rhapsody – Chitti Babu ***10. Mangalam ***

Music's Bylanes - I

While we wait for our very learned friend in music, R.Sachi ( click ) to process another delectable concert for us, we thought we’d walk the Rasikas through some music's by-lanes .

The following pictures were the results of ‘prying’ into more “Parvathi” albums. This time though, it was courtesy of Shri K.L. Rao’s family. No, not the founding father of India’s Irrigation industry! but the third elder son of Sri. K. Puttu Rao, about whom we spoke earlier as having once lived in Chennai, next to the hallowed Music Academy in Mylapore, and who provided dedication as an engineer to the Chennai Harbor, during the 60’s.

Here are some pictures of Carnatic music’s greats, in a more relaxed venue and in more informal postures.

Could we say that this was their way of “jamming”?

Supreme maestros all! (L to R): U.K. Sivaraman, M.L. Veerabhadriah (Palghat Mani Iyer’s disciple), K.S. Manjunath , T. Chowdiah

T.Chowdiah with Sri K.L. Rao.
It looks to be a respite after lunch,
as we detect the faint outlines of a ‘pan’
being chewed by Chowdiah!

The 'Krishna' of Music! [ click ]
Maestro M. Bala-Murali-Krishna and party!

[ If one views keenly one can also notice Vid. M.A. Narasimhachar in the audience]

Veena Maestro Chitti Babu
pondering away ‘dreamily’
amidst musical notes in a warm up !

Veena’s other great exponent Doreswamy Iyengar
seen with stalwarts Vellore Ramabhadran, K.S. Manjunath, T. Chowdiah

Manasuna Talaci Mai Maraci – The Wizardry of Vidwan Chittibabu

It is well known that in the sixties, Mysore was a paradise of regal beauty, verdant quietude and social graces that people from Madras and Bangalore would love to escape to. The quiet nights would be free from auto rickshaw noises. In fact we children could occasionally catch the distant roar of big cats from the Mysore Zoo! One so inclined could meditate, or listen to choice music, or read a book, and dissolve into sleep in a tranquil mood.

The home of "Parvathi", accustomed to the continual flow of great music, had a preference for aural treats, and many a great musician would be on hand to perform for the family in a soiree. Those fortunately present would later recall with a faraway look these musical experiences. So transpired also this episode that we are delighted to share.

[ Vidwan Chitti Babu in "Parvathi" 1960s ]

A young and handsome prince of a vainika started making waves in Madras during early '60s. Mr. Srikantiah's brother, Mr. K. Lakshminarayana Rao ( who in those days lived in Mylapore, Madras in the shadows of The Music Academy ), introduced him to the family and thus came the vainika to stay in Mysore for a few days. The gracious hospitality of the family to this charmer was rewarded by some veena music that was truly a treat for the gods. Hardly 30 years of age, Vidwan Chittibabu was different from run of the mill musicians. He was bold in his veena play, and emphasized melody uniquely. His music had instant appeal to the layman as well as connoisseur. During his stay, he would play inside the house, without accompaniment, for the delight of the family.

It was one of those quiet nights. Mr. Srikantiah and family were oblivious to their surroundings. Nobody looked at the clock. Vidwan Chittibabu was in his element. He played a glorious ragam tanam pallavi in Kambhoji. And proceeded with his famous songs- Kommalo Kokila, Veda... Mr. Srikantiah was highly impressed with his melodious playing, soft strumming, faultless notes and perfect laya gnana. Forcing himself out of his thrall, he whispered a blessing to the young maestro. He predicted a very bright future for him and said that there was no doubt that he would reach the peak of success and popularity in the music world. Just then, the clock struck twelve, and Time nodded its “Tathasthu” to the blessing.

This, luckily, has been captured on tape. And we are pleased to share this with rasikas.

When Saint Thyagaraja says, with envy, how Seetha and Lakshmana are fortunate to serve Rama, standing on either side, and as a result find themselves in enthralled reverie, we can relate to his sentiments. Pakkala Nilabadi, in the Kharaharapriya raga that is so intrinsic to Parvathi concerts, is the next item we feature. Vidwan Chittibabu, in the company of Vidwan Palghat Raghu, has excelled in this song. He has brought out the majesty of Kharaharapriya, as well as its rich melody. The song, with interesting swara dialogue, makes this a feast. What Thyagaraja says of the good fortune of Seetha and Lakshmana (Manasuna Talaci Mai Maraci) to lose themselves in devotion, applies to our feelings when we listen to Vidwan Chittibabu.

Vidwan Chittibabu was a rage in the Carnatic music world in later years. He played at Parvathi during various festivals more than a dozen times. His concerts drew full houses and the pandal had no standing space even. Unfortunately we do not have all those concert recordings. But we do have some more items on tape and we are happy to share some of them this time. More, later!

The audio in this posting

1. Informal recording during Chittibabu's first visit *** 02. Pakkala Nilabadi – Kharaharapriya – Thyagaraja *** 03. Govindam iha – Bageshri – Narayana Tirtha ***

Accompaniment

Item 02: Palghat Raghu - K.S.Manjunath (Ramanavami -- 20-4-75)
Item 03: Vellore Ramabhadran - Vaidyanathan - H.P.Ramachar ( Ganesh Festival - 31.8.68 )

There is a beautiful article on the Mellifluous Veena by Mr. B.M.N. Murthy below (click to magnify). It explains the endless charm of this divine instrument.




And, who is author Mr. B.M.N. Murthy? The Hindu (click here) chooses to characterize him as "The man who knows everything".