MWC_Edition17

December 5_RJ

In today's MWC, we look at an invocation song, in praise of Ganapathy , set in Nattai ragam and Rupaka Talam and composed by the Genius - Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar

This is a song that many of us are familiar with thanks to the movie Sindu Bhairavi

Here is the KJY version of the song
http://youtu.be/j3elIEZlOao

Here is an instrumental version by the legend Lalgudi Jayaraman -http://youtu.be/q8av4steAZA

Here is the nadaswaram version - http://youtu.be/xyyvUZe5Kvk

Here is the Mandolin version by that genius Shrinivas - check the first 9 minutes of the video - http://youtu.be/5JkPsWsq3E8

Here is the meaning of the song ( taken from the web)

Pallavi
Sri Maha Ganapathim Manasa Smarami

In the first line of the pallavi, Sri Dikshitar asks his mind (manasa) to think / remember (smarami) about the (glory of) Sri Maha Ganapathi.

Vasishta Vamadevadi Vandita (Maha Ganapathim)
Sri Ganesha is extolled to praised by great Rishis like Sri Vashishta and Sri Vamadeva.

"Sri Maha Ganapathim Manasa Smarami
Vashishta Vamadevadi Vandita

Oh Mind! Please meditate on the glory of Sri Maha Ganapathi, who is extolled by Sri Vashishta and Sri Vamadeva"

Anupallavi
Mahadeva Sutam
Lord Shiva is the Supreme(Maha) of Gods(Deva) - Lord Ganesha is His Son (sutam)

Guruguhanutam
His younger brother Guruguha (or Kartikeya or Murugan) always praises His brother. The term Guruguha is also the signature (mudra) of Sri Dikshitar. [There is a deep link between Sri Subrahmanya / Murugan and Sri Dikshitar - I'll discuss it sometime later]

Marakoti Prakasham
Of all devas, Manmatha / Mara (Cupid) is claimed to be the most beautiful one. But, here Ganesha shines (prakasham) like koti/crore (10 million) Maras! (mara koti) - Sri Ganesha's form should be a delight to behold!

Shantam
Sri Ganesha is also the epitome of peace. Shantam (peace) is His Nature.

Mahakaavya Natakadhi priyam
Sri Ganapati takes a strong liking (priyam) to great literature (maha kaavya) and drama (nataka). May be that's why he volunteered to be a scribe for Mahabharata when Vyaasa was set to compose it.

Mooshika Vahana
The Big Elephant has a small mouse (mooshika) as his mount (vahanam) - The mooshika was actually an Asura named 'Kayamukhasura' who had the blessing of immortality from Shiva. When the asura turned evil, He defeated Him and changed him to a mouse and made him His Vahanam.

Modhaka Priyam
Modhakam is a kind of sweet also called 'kozhukkattai' (கொழுக்கட்டை) in Tamil. Ganesha loves this sweet - So, it is traditional to offer this sweet to Him on Ganesha Chaturtthi.

MWC_Edition25

December 12_KV

"Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common."

This mesmerising 15min piece is a melodious medley of 4 different instruments, the star being the Sitar. Played brilliantly by the ravishing Anoushka Shankar (dau of PanditRaviShankar)

The violin, shehnai & mridangam come together beautifully with the sitar, leaving one yearning for a little more.

http://vimeo.com/58801551

An exquisite Hindustani raga, Jog, with no Carnatic equivalent. It bears the closest resemblance to Gambheera Naattai. The raga conveys love with a pinch of sorrow.

Pramadavanam Veendum (His Highness Abdulla), KJY & Lalettan doing complete justice.
http://youtu.be/6HVtAQuvY6k

Iru hrudhayandal (oru may maasa pulariyil), KJY & Raja combo weaves magic
http://youtu.be/DmyJk6Tbiv0

P.S. In the light of the current mood of the group, I hope music brings the much needed peace frown emoticon

MWC_Edition50

January 4_AM

‪‎His Highness Abdullah‬

The beauty of this song is it attracted people internationally. It took the beauty of carnatic music to everybody.

Maybe because of its antakshari style that presented so many raga's in such a beautiful manner.

It starts with raagamaalika. In the order Hindolam, Thodi, Panthuvarali, Abhogi, Mohanam, Shanmukhapriya, Sankarabharanam, Kalyani, Chakravakam, Revati. Thanks Krithika Viswanath for educating me on the ragaas.

The song is composed by Raveendran and cast Mohanlal and Kaithapram.
Presenting -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-OG7E-AlUM

MWC_Edition76

January 30_AM

Marking the Month of Makaram & Celebrating 50 years of the Legend Shri. K J Yesudas, Today I present his most famous rendition of “Harivarasanam”, that has always remained an all-time favorite. This song is a finale in all his concerts, by popular demand. The song composed in the ashtakam metre was written by Kambangudi Kulathur Srinivasa Iyer and it was Swami Vimochanananda who sang in his beautiful voice and popularized Harivarasanam by travelling throughout the South India.
Also known as the Hari Haratmaka Ashtakam, it is sung when the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple close for the day at night
Sabarimala opens during the pilgrimage season (November to January) and also on the first day of every Malayalam Era. VR Gopala Menon, from Alapuzha used to accompany Thirumeni Eashwaran Namboothiri, the Melshanthi (head priest), to Sannidhanam every time, and would stay there by himself even when the temple was closed, remaining undisturbed by the wild animals. Later, when Devaswom Board was formed, it is believed that he was asked to move out. He eventually died at a tea estate at Vandiperiyar.
Gopala Menon used to recite "Harivarasanam" with devotion during his time at Sannidhanam, and when Thirumeni Eashwaran Namboothiri heard about the passing away of the Mr. Menon, he was deeply saddened. At the end of the day's rituals, the Namboothiri was about to close the doors of the Sannidhanam when he remembered the dedication and sacrifice of the Gopala Menon and he then began to recite "Harivarasanam"' starting a nostalgic tradition that remains unbroken till date.
Today, as the final verses are being sung, all the assistant Santhis (priests) leave the Sreekovil one by one. As the song ends, only the Melsanthi is inside. He extinguishes the lamps one at a time and closes the doors for the night.
.A lullaby sung to put Lord Ayyappa to sleep, the Music is composed in Madhyamavathi raga by renowned music director G. Devarajan.
Listen & Stay Blessed!
Lyrics & Meaning:
The lyrics and meaning of Harivarasanam are as follows:

Harivarasanam Viswamohanam, Haridadhiswaram Aaradhyapadhukam, Arivimardhanam Nithyanarthanam, Hariharathmajam Devamashraye, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa.

One who is seated on the supreme Simhasana. One who enchants the Universe. One whose holy feet is worshipped by Surya. One who kills the enemies of good thought and who enacts cosmic dance every day. Oh Son of Hari And Hara,I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.

Saranakirtanam Bakhtamanasam, Bharanalolupam Narthanalasam, Arunabhasuram Bhoothanayakam, Hariharathmajam Devamashraye, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa.

One whose mind gladdens on hearing Sharana Gosham,One who is a great ruler of the Universe, One who loves to dance, One who shines in the rising Sun, One who is the master of all beings, Oh Hariharaputra Deva, I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.

Pranayasathyakam Praananayakam, Pranathakalpakam Suprabhanjitham, Pranavamanidram Keerthanapriyam, Hariharathmajam Devamashraye, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa.

One whose soul is truth,One who is the darling of all souls,One who created universe, Onewho shines with a glittering Halo,One who is the abode of “OM”, One who loves songs, Oh Hariharaputra Deva, I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.

Thuragavahanam Sundarananam, Varagadhayudham Vedavavarnitham, Gurukrupakaram Keerthanapriyam, Hariharathmajam Devamashraye, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa.

One who has a pretty face One who rides a horse,One who has a pretty face,One who has the blessed mace as weapon,One who bestows grace like a teacher,One who loves songs,Son of Hari and Hara,I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.

Tribuvanarchitam Devathathmakam, Trinayanam Prabhum Divyadeshikam, Tridashapoojitham Chinthithapradam, Hariharathmajam Devamashraye, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa.

One who is worshiped by the three worlds,One who is the soul of all gods,One who is the lord of Shiva,One who is worshipped by devas,One who is who is worshipped three times a day,One whose thought is fulfilling,Son of Hari and Hara I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.

Bhavabhayapaham Bhavukavaham, Bhuvanamohanam Bhoothibhooshanam, Dhavalavahanam Divyavaranam, Hariharathmajam Devamashraye, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa.

One who destroys fear,One who brings prosperity,One who is enchanter of universe,One who wears holy ash as ornament,One who rides a white elephant,Son of Hari and Hara,I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.

Kalamrudusmitham Sundarananam, Kalabhakomalam Gathramohanam, Kalabhakesari Vajivahanam, Hariharathmajam Devamashraye, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa.

One who blesses with enchanting smile,One who has is very pretty,One who is adorned by sandal paste,One who has a pretty mien,One who is a like a lion to the elephants,One who rides on a tiger,Son of Hari and Hara,I take refuge in you Ayyappa,I take refuge in you Ayyappa.

Srithajanapriyam Chinthithapradam, Sruthivibhushanam Sadhujeevanam, Sruthimanoharam Geethalalasam, Hariharathmajam Devamashraye, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa, Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa.

One who is dear to his devotees,One who fulfills wishes,One who is praised by Vedas,One who blesses life of ascetics,One who is the essence of Vedas,One who enjoys divine music,Son of Hari and Hara,I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.

“Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcQCkkVKC5w

MWC_Edition73

January 27_RJ

Bhairav is a Hindustani raga. it is considered the adi ( or the first) ragam and believed to have originated from the dhumru of Shiva. The carnatic equivalent is called MayamalavaGowla. Originally known as malavagowla, "maya" was prefixed to it after the advent of the scheme of the 72 melas. This auspicious raga evokes śānta(peace) rasa and pathos. It creates a soothing effect Suitable to sing at all times, particularly, the first dawn of the day.

It is commonly used for beginners lessons, since it has a uniform distance between relative position of notes and has symmetry, and hence easier to learn. There are many popular compositions in this ragam, but thyagaraja's Tulasī Daḻamulacē Saṃtōṣamuga continues to top that list. 

In today's MWC, we look at a fusion representation of the ragam. This is from a album called 'How to Name it' and composed by Ilaiyaraja.

http://youtu.be/2UcfRzCdmMs

Here is a vocal rendition of the song from the Telugu movie Rudraveena, sung by K.J.Yesudas.

http://youtu.be/QK9qc0eOoYo?t=8m23s