In our humdrum lives, it is easy to pass by the true beneficences of life, busy as we are “getting and spending”, as Wordsworth said.
Therefore do we need to thank every moment our heritage, upbringing, and childhood experiences that foster a love for classical music. Our music combines so many life-affirmative resonances that nobody can ever feel totally down and out if he or she can even faintly recall the joy of music. Carnatic music insightfully combines all musical values - melody, rhythm and lyric - into a worship of life. And one of the high points of Carnatic music is Kalyani. Kalyani means not only the popular raga but also benediction, the Cosmic Mother, a cool pool of holy water we can immerse ourselves in… so many connotations. And the raga Kalyani celebrates life like none other. Hence every composition in Kalyani is such an enriching experience.
Madurai Somu, the eternal favourite of Parvathi rasikas, begins this concert with Kalyani. MSG follows his raga contours closely, and we have a solid foundation for the song that follows, śivē pāhi mām , of Thyagaraja. The saint refers to Kaveri, the nectarine river that courses through every Carnatic music lover’s veins...
Thyagaraja addresses the mother goddess as kAvErijOttara vAsini kAtyAyini dharma samvardhini , meaning, “ You are Katyayini, known as Dharma Samvardhani residing on the north side of Kaveri river”. This composition is one of his Thiruvaiyaru khestra compositions.
The neraval and swaras are executed very melodiously, with some great accompaniment by MSG and the redoubtable Raghu. Raghu intones the words so well on the mridangam, modulating each stroke to match the melody.
What strikes you is the fine fettle of Somu’s voice, matched by the sweetness of MSG’s violin, as well as Raghu’s measured percussion. An elaborate Bhairavi has a fullness to it. Somu lends a tangy flavour to the nishada, and MSG replicates it. Raghu takes off in the neraval and swara like only he can. The result is a virile treatment of Bhairavi lasting over 40 minutes. The audio quality of this home recording done 41 years ago is outstanding.
Madurai Somu is all praise for MSG as the honeyed flow of Abheri from his violin simply heightens the mood of this ever popular raga. We just got the happy news of MSG’s being honoured as Padma Bhushan in today’s Republic Day honours. A richly deserved recognition by a grateful nation of this outstanding violinist.
The Shanmukhapriya RTP is a feisty improvisation. Even here, Raghu revels in the rhythmical segments like a homing bird.
Among the following items, the impromptu shloka in Jijhooti and other ragas is highly memorable.
Therefore do we need to thank every moment our heritage, upbringing, and childhood experiences that foster a love for classical music. Our music combines so many life-affirmative resonances that nobody can ever feel totally down and out if he or she can even faintly recall the joy of music. Carnatic music insightfully combines all musical values - melody, rhythm and lyric - into a worship of life. And one of the high points of Carnatic music is Kalyani. Kalyani means not only the popular raga but also benediction, the Cosmic Mother, a cool pool of holy water we can immerse ourselves in… so many connotations. And the raga Kalyani celebrates life like none other. Hence every composition in Kalyani is such an enriching experience.
Madurai Somu, the eternal favourite of Parvathi rasikas, begins this concert with Kalyani. MSG follows his raga contours closely, and we have a solid foundation for the song that follows, śivē pāhi mām , of Thyagaraja. The saint refers to Kaveri, the nectarine river that courses through every Carnatic music lover’s veins...
Thyagaraja addresses the mother goddess as kAvErijOttara vAsini kAtyAyini dharma samvardhini , meaning, “ You are Katyayini, known as Dharma Samvardhani residing on the north side of Kaveri river”. This composition is one of his Thiruvaiyaru khestra compositions.
The neraval and swaras are executed very melodiously, with some great accompaniment by MSG and the redoubtable Raghu. Raghu intones the words so well on the mridangam, modulating each stroke to match the melody.
What strikes you is the fine fettle of Somu’s voice, matched by the sweetness of MSG’s violin, as well as Raghu’s measured percussion. An elaborate Bhairavi has a fullness to it. Somu lends a tangy flavour to the nishada, and MSG replicates it. Raghu takes off in the neraval and swara like only he can. The result is a virile treatment of Bhairavi lasting over 40 minutes. The audio quality of this home recording done 41 years ago is outstanding.
Madurai Somu is all praise for MSG as the honeyed flow of Abheri from his violin simply heightens the mood of this ever popular raga. We just got the happy news of MSG’s being honoured as Padma Bhushan in today’s Republic Day honours. A richly deserved recognition by a grateful nation of this outstanding violinist.
The Shanmukhapriya RTP is a feisty improvisation. Even here, Raghu revels in the rhythmical segments like a homing bird.
Among the following items, the impromptu shloka in Jijhooti and other ragas is highly memorable.
THE CONCERT
1971 Gowri-Ganesha Festival in "Parvathi"
Madurai Somasundaram – Vocal
Parur M.S. Gopalakrishnan ---- Violin
Palghat Raghu ------- Mridangam
01. Sive Pahimam – Kalyani –Thyagaraja *** 02. Manavi aalakincha- Nalinakanthi -Thygaraja *** 03. Shri Rajarajeshwari – Bhairavi –TBA*** 04. Shankaraparane – ragamalika –TBA *** 05. Nagumomu – Abheri – Thyagaraja *** 06. Shanmukhapriya RTP *** 07. Unnai Bharata – Hindolam – TBA *** 08. Azhagiya mayil – Basant Bahar – TBA *** 09. Bhaja mana bhajare – Bhimplas – TBA *** 10. Swarna Gowri Srimahaganapathe – Shloka – Jinjhooti, Punnagavarali, Sindhubhairavi, Natakurinji, Kambhoji, Saveri Kalyani Bhairavi Kamach Kanada Kedaragowla *** 11. Nadabindukala – Jinjhooti – Arunagirinathar *** 12. Bhajore Bhayya – Desh, Mand – Kabir *** 13. Mangalam ***
