MWC_Edition84

February 7_RJ

Padmaja Sastri recently mentioned how her daughter won full marks in physical education exam by perfectly executing two simple yoga posts, where as her daughter's class mates took harder to execute yoga positions, didn't execute them well and hence got lesser marks. 

The statement got me thinking. What is it about the difficult activities in life that prevents people from executing them well ? Most of the time, i believe it is because people don't take the simple acts aka the beginner's steps seriously. They jump to the more difficult activities directly because they think by excelling in complicated tasks they can show his/her mastery over the subject. Nothing can be farther from truth. 

Over a period of time, i have understood that it is more difficult to be good or close to perfection in the day to day activities of life or the beginners steps in any chosen field. Here you don't have any where to hide and performance is all that counts. And the mind set that gets one to be good at simple tasks of life also helps them master the more difficult steps .

So today, if i want to know how good a cook is, i will ask them to make me a dal chawal ( lentil and rice) instead of an elaborate biriyani. Since i believe that their mastery of cooking will come out easily in the way they handle a simple dish. 

Today's song in MWC, 'eppaDi paaDinarO' set in the ragaam karnaataka devagandhaari is one such example of a maestro showing her complete command through a simple tamil song. while many people have sung this one, i chose this particular rendition and singer for the simplicity, sincerity and the divine feeling the singer brings to the song. 

The song is short at just 6 minutes and 6 seconds and i request the listeners to focus on the singing from 3.40. The sheer brilliance at display is just a reminder of their virtuosity that they could make a simple song, unforgettable.

http://youtu.be/54yIqReUGl4

The lyrics and meaning of the song are given here, for those of you who don't understand tamil -http://www.karnatik.com/c1265.shtml. But the way D K Pattammal makes you feel, you really don't need that :-)

MWC_Edition83‬

February 6_DN

...bahut hui, samne aaja naa…. kahaan kahaan dhoonda tujhe.. thak gayi hai ab teri ma….
I was listening to this song and I can’t describe the sinking feeling that came over me while I absorbed the song.

For the benefit of those who don’t understand hindi, it is a mother singing to her son as though they are playing hide and seek. Only she is alive and he is dead. She searches for him, calling out that dusk is falling and her eyes are growing dim with age…
The son responds by describing this paradise he is in…and how he is perfectly happy there and the only thing he is missing is her… its a content response to her sad cry of despair…

Hats off to Prasoon Joshi… the lyrics give you goosebumps… and your eyes well up….
I usually can’t stand Lata Mangeshkar but her voice suits this song – the quiver – an aging mother seeking a son….
AR Rahman has outdone himself… both, with the composition as well his voice…. 

the tempo rises in the end (@5.00) and if you listen to it loud or with little earphones so that it is the only thing on your mind, your hair stands on end….
Beautiful, touching, creative.. I could go on. But you need to hear and appreciate it yourself. It grows on you. Go hear the song. It’s beautiful. The lyrics, the music, the voices, the emotion behind it. Everything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aDkMDoWvNY

MWC_Edition82‬

‪February 5_GS

There are a lot of musicians who have got popular worldwide after they performed on 'TED' stage. I got introduced to this band called 'Sleepy Man Banjo Boys' from TED videos. They are the cutest brothers, who play a genre called as 'Bluegrass' which is American country music. They are so young but so talented. Just Listen... 
http://youtu.be/fB8UTheTR7s

On a side note: I've been thinking if 7+ should be right age for introducing instruments with chords to kids. What do you think? How early or late?
And, if you have kids who play instrument or sing, it's encouraging if you can arrange sessions with other kids over a weekend or even form a small band with a bunch of neighborhood kids.

MWC_Edition81

February 4_AM

What happens when two great minds meet?

"And the Waltz Goes On" is a studio album by Dutch violinist & conductor Andre Rieu released in October 2011. The album is centred around a Waltz composed by John Hopkins. 

We all have known known John Hopkins as a leading actor. However he had done this composition several years back. When he approached Andre Rieu this composition was brought on stage. 

Presenting you "And the Walz Goes On"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LGVGekPSzo

MWC_Edition80

February 3_DK

Today in #MusicwithCoffeee I present a song that has done the rounds of Facebook for a few years now. Moms the world over will connect with the song. So, without much ado, I present The Mom song.

http://youtu.be/Nem0bkErGVY

Song: The Mom Song
Artist: Anita Renfroe

Lyrics

Lyrics→Anita Renfroe→The Mom Song lyrics


ANITA RENFROE – THE MOM SONG LYRICS
Post my meaning
Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepy head
Here's your clothes
And your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now
Get up and make your bed
Are you hot?
Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and your gloves and your scarf and hat
Don't forget you gotta feed the cat
Eat your breakfast
The experts tell us it's the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodon'tist will be seeing you at three today?
Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon
So you must play
Don't shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside
Don't play rough
Would you just play fair?
Be polite
Make a friend
Don't forget to share
Work it out
Wait your turn
Never take a dare
Get along
Don't make me come down there
Clean your room
Fold your clothes
Put your stuff away
Make your bed
Do it now
Do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn?
Would you like some hay
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone
Get Off the phone
Don't sit so close
Turn it down
No texting at the table
No more computer time tonight
Your ipod's my ipod if you don't listen up
Where you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me
Makes you welcome everywhere you roam
You'll appreciate my wisdom
Someday when you're older and you're grown
Can't wait 'til you have a couple little children of your own
You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly
But right now
I thank you not to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew
Would appreciate
Take a bite
Maybe two
Of the stuff you hate
Use your fork
Do not you burp
Or I'll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an A, Get the door
Don't get smart with me
Get a Grip
Get in here I'll count to 3
Get a job
Get a life
Get a Phd
Get a dose of...
I don't care who started it
You're grounded until your 36
Get your story straight
And tell the truth for once for heaven's sake
And if all your friends jumped off a cliff
Would you jump too?
If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before that
You're too old to act this way
It must be your father's dna
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straight when you walk
A place for everything
And everything must be in place
Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth
Wash your face
Get your pjs on
Get in bed
Get a hug
Say a prayer with Mom
Don't forget
I love you
"Kiss"
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends
You don't need the reason why
Because
Because
Because
Because
I said so
I said so
I said so
I said so
I'm the Mom
The mom
The mom
The mom
The mom
Ta-da

MWC_Edition79

February 2_KV

Yodhakaa is a contemporary/very Reggae Indian fusion music band. The band performs often, with a constantly changing line-up of musicians, other than its 3 core members.

Their first album, Shwetambara, was a lovely musical compilation of slokams. Though it was not a huge hit globally, I happened to take a huge liking to it because one of the featured slokams, I grew up with.

When in fear/doubt, take the name of the Lord. As simple as that. 16 different names of MahaVishnu.
It is believed that Bhakta Prahlad chanted this sloka every time he was put to a fatal test for his belief in the Lord.

My ammamma (maternal grandmother) taught me the Duswapne verse when I was 5; that my amma has passed on to my son as well. I still recite this slokam, more out of love than of fear :-)

http://youtu.be/XLBc_4hmGhI?t=12m

Vishnu Shodasa nama Stotram
(The prayer of Vishnu with 16 names)
Translated by P.R.Ramachander

1.
Oushadhe chinthayeth Vishnu,
Bhojane cha Janardhanam,
Sayane Padmanabham cha ,
Vivahe cha prajapathim.                                

I think of Vishnu while taking medicine,
I think of Janardhana while taking meals,
I think of Lord Padmanabha while sleeping,
And think of Prajapathi during my marriage.

(Vishnu-Peaceful one, Janardhana-He who troubles bad people,
Padmanbha-He who lotus flower in his belly button,
Prajapathi-The lord of all people)

2.
Yudhe Chakradharam Devam,
Pravase cha Trivikramam,
Narayanam thanu thyage ,
Sreedharam Priya sangame.                          

I think of Chakradhara during the war,
I think of Trivikrama during travels,
I think of Narayana at the time of death,
And think of Sridhara , when I am making love.

(Chakradhara-Wielder of the wheel, Trivikrama- he who
Measured the world in three steps, Narayana-He is whom
All souls reside and Sridhara-He who carries Lakshmi)

3.
Duswapne smara Govindam,
Sankate Madhu soodham,
Kaanane narasimhancha ,
Pavake Jala sayinam.                            

Think of Govinda when you have bad dreams,
Think of Madhusoodhana when you are in trouble,
Think of Lord Narasimha  in the forest,
And think of Jala sayina when in side the fire.

(Govinda-He who takes care of all beings,
Madhusoodhana-He who killed the Ogre called Madhu
Narasimha-The half man-lion form and
Jala sayina-He who sleeps on water)

4.
Jalamadhye Varahancha ,
Parvathe Raghunandanam,
Gamane Vamanam chaiva.
Sarva karyeshu Madhavam.                          

Think of Varaha in the middle of water,
Think of Raghunandana in the top of the mountain,
Think of Vamane when you are departing,
And think of Madhava in all cases.

(Varaha-Boar , Raghunandana-the son of Raghu’s clan,
Vamana-the dwarf and Madhva- He who is he Lord of knowledge)

5.
Shodasaithani Namani,
Pratharuthaya Ya padeth,
Sarva papa nirmuktho,
Vishnu loka maheeyathe.                              

If these sixteen names are read,
As soon as one gets up,
He would get rid of all sins,
And reach the heaven of Lord Vishnu.

This band's next album, Poorvaa, works on ancient Sanskrit and Tamil writings by great literary monarchs like Aadi Shankara, Jeya deva, Arunagiri naadhar and the likes. It is a compilation of ancient slokams, dug out from manuscripts and texts, each one towering in significance and value.
There's an interesting preview of Poorvaa in the suggested videos. Do check it out.

Enjoy your afternoon! :-)

MWC_Edition78

February 1_HS

Swarajathi - Anyone who has learnt Carnatic music will be familiar with this swarajathi. It is an advanced form of Geetham with lot more speed and swaras. 

When we lisen to Swarajathis there is no doubt that we will go back to the childhood days and relive our singing with a group of girls and boys and not to forget the strict paatu teacher. Nostalgia..

Thanks to Youtube we also come across different versions of Swarajathi and this is one of them praising Lord Krishna. This version is more apt for praising VenuGopala because the song is played with flute. 

Meaning:

Please come ("raara"), Lord Venugopala (Krishna), embodiment ("sheela") of adorable ("raajitha") and victorious ("jaya") qualities ("sadguna"). 
O, the one with big ("saara") eyes ("aaksha"), what ("emi") offenses ("nera") have I committed? I cannot bear ("korvalera") the onslaught of Cupid ("maarubaari"), the god of Love. 
O Nandagopalaa! I have nowhere else to go. You come here ("vindu raaraa") with a free mind and spread cheer ("Keduruga Gadiyara"). 
You have always responded to the prayers ("nin pilachina) of your devotees. But why don't you respond ("palukavu") to me ("nalugakuraa")? You have responded to the elephant ("kari") Gajendra's call and granted him a boon ("varadaa"). Please listen to my repeated calls ("mari mari naa adharamugro") protect me quickly ("larakani karamuga")!
Don't be angry because I persist with you respectfully. 
Come ("raa"), O the one who held the mountain Govardhana ("nagadara")!
Come ("raa"), O the one who destroyed ("hara") the demon Mura ("mura")!
Come ("raa"), O one who destroys ("hara") the sorrows of the world ("bhava")!
Dont leave ("chekoraa") this ("ee") devotee ("maguvanu"), your delicate ("sogasini") child ("lalalanu") alone!
Listen to my prayers and wishes ("korika")! 
I prostrate ("dendamu") to you ("neeyenda")!
I want to reach ("cheranu") your company ("neechenta")!
Please do not forget me ("maravakuraa")!
With my hands and limbs ("karamula che") I seek refuge ("sharanane") in you ("ninnu") again and again ("marimari"). 
Listen and enjoy the flute version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--mI6t6lOyE