MWC_Edition44

December 29_RJ

Thiruvilayadal is a series of stories where Siva comes in various roles to help his devotees. In this particular story, a singer comes to the kingdom of Pandiyas (Madurai is the capital) and sings in the King's assembly. The singer claims that if there is no singer better than in him in the whole kingdom, the country of the Pandiya's becomes him. This along with a few other stories , is beautifully represented in the 1965 movie by the same name.

In today's MWC, we look at a song from Thiruvilayadal, sung by BalaMuraliKrishna in his magical voice and composed by K.V.Mahadevan. The song , written by Kannadasan, is a beauty because it is poetic, fits the situation to a T and has the name of the ragas as part of it.

Songs like this, that are rich in poetic content and musical value, are almost non existent in Indian film industry. It is a tribute to the composers who were so well versed with the essence of classical music, that they could bring it to a level without any compromise, where common folks could also enjoy the beauty of carnatic music and also learn the basics .

I have given below the lyrics and also the translation to get the beauty of the lyrics for those who don't understand tamil. The reader can clearly see that the over confidence of the singer is clearly brought out in the song.
The song is a ragamalika and starts with Maand ragam.

A writer mentions about this raagam like this
"Maand is a feisty raga, popular in North India and well-known for lighter pieces in the South. It is delightful to listener and performer alike. It brings forth the mood of romance, combined with cheer and warmth. In fact, it is the zigzag patterns in this raga that give rise to a feeling that only can be compared with enjoying a swing on a trapeze."

"The song starts with maand and goes on to Thodi, Darbar, Mohanam, Kanada
How can mere words describe the beauty that Dr. M. Balmuralikrishna brings out in this raga as he sings “Oru naal podhuma” from “Thiruvilaiyadal” (music K. V. Mahadevan)? This ragamalika starts most aptly in Maand, a flying start in every sense. “Naadamaa sangeetama...” - the sangati at this spot never fails to elicit a sabhash from the smitten rasika."

Lyrics given below

oru nAL pOdhumA
indroru nAL pOdhumA
nAn pAda indroru nAL pOdhumA
nAdhamA geedhamA adhai nAn pAda indroru nAL pOdhumA
pudhu nAdhamA sangeedhamA adhai nAn pAda indroru nAL pOdhumA
Is a day enough ?
Is this day enough ?
is this day enough for me to sing?
a tune, a song, is a day enough for me to sing it?

Stanza 1:
rAgamA sugarAgamA gAnamA dhEva gAnamA
en kalaikkindha thirunAdu samamAhumA
en kalaikkindha thirunAdu samamAhumA
Is this country equal to my music ?

Stanza 2:
kuzhalendrum ...
yAzhendrum ...
kuzhalendrum yAzhendrum silar kooruvAr
en kural kEtta pinnAlE avar mAruvAr
azhiyAdha kalai endru enai pAduvAr 
enai ariyAmal edhirppOrgaL ezhundhOduvAr
enai ariyAmal edhirppOrgaL ezhundhOduvAr
some people say a flute and harp ( a stringed instrument)
when they hear my voice, they change their mind
They sing of he as the timeless art
people who dont know this and oppose me, will run away

Stanza 3:
isai kEtka ezhundhOdi varuvAr andrO
ezhundhOdi varuvAr andrO
ezhundhOdi... thOdi...
isai kEtka ezhundhOdi varuvAr andrO
Those who come running to listen to my art
(ezhunthOdi- come running to listen to my music and also as the Thodi, which emanates from me)

Stanza 4:
enakkiNaiyAha darbAril evarum uNdO
darbAril evarum uNdO
darbAril ...
enakkiNaiyAha darbAril evarum uNdO
is their any singer my equal in this assembly?
(durbaar is a raagam and also means the assembly. In those days, kings were supposed to have the best of singers in their assembly. that is why this question to the assembly)

Stanza 5:
kalaiyAdha mOhana chuvai dhAnandrO
mOhana chuvai dhAnandrO
mOhanam ... 
kalaiyAdha mOhana chuvai dhAnandrO
My song gives the listener a taste of beauty (mohanam)
(Mohanam is the name of the raagam and also means beauty)

Stanza 6:
kAnadA ...
en pAttu thEnadA
isai dheivam nAnadA
see
my song is like honey
I am the god of music
(kaanada is a raagam and it also means see)

http://youtu.be/ppnzHXqT5Sg

MWC_Edition45

December 30_DN

This song, Stand By Me, holds a special place in my heart. I love the way they’ve taken street singers from around the world and overlaid the voices and mixed it to create one song – music uniting the world. 

People often tell me that driving a car is the ultimate in freedom and self-sufficiency. I think you are truly self sufficient only if you have music in your soul and an instrument at your fingers. Walk, hop on to a truck, hitch a ride… as long as you have some music to keep you company you won’t feel the lack of anything. What more can a person want if they have a song in their head and a melody running through their heads? Can you ever be truly alone if you can pick up a guitar and strum? Now that it is winter I go for my walk after the children go to bed, my head wrapped up to my nose in a shawl, hands dug into my pocket, singing loudly to myself in to the cold dark, windy night.

I envy musicians more than I envy writers, inventors, doctors or any other professional. Actually I don’t even think of music as a profession. It is part of who you are – like your nails and your skin. There’s no getting under it. There’s no getting away from it. You can always have it along with someone or something else. Your lover might leave you, your parents will die, your children may desert you and you might lose your job, but music? No one can take that song away from you.

"Stand By Me"

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No I won't be afraid
Oh, I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
So darling, darling
Stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand, stand by me
Stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
All the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling
Stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand now, stand by me
Stand by me
So darling, darling
Stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand now, stand by me, stand by me
Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me
Oh stand by me, oh won't you stand now, stand
Stand by me

http://vimeo.com/2539741

MWC_Edition46

December 31_DK

Kirtan, also known as sankirtana is a form of chanting and singing the glories of God. A participatory musical experience with very positive energy, it helps us connect with the higher power, while at the same time helping us delve into our souls and experience a oneness with God. Hinduism has had a long and cherished history of this form of worship. Places like Pandharpur, Udupi have a long tradition of kirtankaaras in the form of various Dasas who eulogised Vitthala and Udupi Shri Krishna and composed several kirtans/bhajans.

While listening to NPR in Dallas, we heard an American Kirtan duo by the name of Jai Uttal and Krishna Das sing a kirtan eulogising Lord Shiva. It was during the lowest point in our lives that we discovered these kirtankaaras , and the peace and calm that their singing brought to our otherwise frayed and high strung nerves was unbelievable. We ended up owing all of their CDs and listening to it each day to calm us down.

Today, I present Krishna Das, who is in my opinion the best Kirtan exponent of American origin. He has 8 albums to his credit. He was nominated for the 2013 Grammy Awards for Best New Age album, and also performed at the Grammy Awards ceremony as well.

Hara Hara Mahadeva Shambho
Artist : Krishna Das
http://youtu.be/ceHuszSfy2E

MWC_Edition47

January 1_KV

The mighty Horse has galloped away making room for the little Sheep. A good time for those bags of wool 

It is a perfect excuse to revisit that wardrobe, dust the cobwebs, make a few rearrangements, make some space for yourself in there and hopefully you might get to see that mythical creature called Decluttering.
Even if you're not the type that cares/dares, writing about it will make you feel just as happy & light! It's the thought that counts! 

While 2014 was overall a brilliant year, the last couple of months have been simply fantastic for me.
Music has made a refreshing comeback in my daily routine; Thoughts have found their way onto paper once again;
Friendship has a few new names now;
None of this would've happened if life had taken a non UBP course.

This is beautiful impromptu jugalbandhi between Pandit Ravi Shankar & Sir Yehudi Menuhin. Accompanied by the great AllaRakha on tabla.
http://youtu.be/IZRqu3vJMA0

Apart from the obviously awesome music, there's a reason why this is special. It's got a sweet story to tell...

Pandit RS & Sir YM met by chance at a mutual friend's house, for a musical performance. Both had heard great things about each other. After a few moments of small talk about the weather, a discussion on politics gave way to many other like minded topics and an instant connect. Yehudi extended his stay here, forging a friendship that lasted almost 42 years. It all started on New Year's Day of 1952 

Even best friends fight. And so did they. This piece of music happened at their first meeting after a couple of years of no contact at all. Ravi Shankar ji says "For a few moments we stood there, staring at each other, teary eyed, feeling stupid for having wasted these years."

A new year, a new beginning, a new you. Time to bury the proverbial hatchet (and later maybe dig up some older ones :P), forget and forgive. Take time to stop and enjoy even the the silliest moments of joy. God knows with all the madness around we could do with some bright smiles.

So, here's wishing all you boys & girls a fabulous year 2015!

MWC_Edition48

January 2_RJ

I had lamented the other day, that we rarely get good classical songs in movies these days. Just to add more evidence to my case, i share a Song from the movie Basant Bahar, Circa 1956- composed by Shankar Jaikishan. Lyrics- Shailendra.

In movies, we often have musical showdowns, where two singers are pitted against each other. Here is an interesting story behind this song. The singer who was supposed to win the competition, in the film, was actually nervous.
Manna Dey was very nervous, and he tried all tricks to dodge recording the song. He in fact even thought of slipping away to some unknown place for some time, forcing the music directors to record the song in the voice of someone else. But no dice. Manna Dey’s wife asked him to face the situation manfully and record the song, instead of running away.

Why was Manna Dey so reluctant to record this song, despite he being shown as winning this singing contest ?
The other singer with whom he had to duel was none other than ‪#‎Bhimsen‬ Joshi, the legendary Hindustani music vocalist. Competing against other playback singers is no big deal, but competing against Bhimsen Joshi was something else and that too to be shown as winning against him.
Though ‪#‎Mannadey‬ is also classically trained, no wonder he was nervous. In fact, Manna Dey was sheepish because he was to be shown as beating Bhimsen Joshi in this singing duel. The recording was completed and the result was a memorable song, one that can be listened to many a times.

This song is picturised on Bharat Bhooshan ( singing in the voice of Manna Dey). The actor who sings in the voice of Bhimsen Joshi is Parshuram, who was a leading actor in Marathi films those days.

Regarding the meaning, this is what i could get from the net
"A wife is enjoying her time on a swing with her husband. While myriad flowers are blooming, the bees are humming and the cuckoos are cooing, the husband is enamored by his wife's sweet talk, her laughter, her shyness and her tresses playfully caressing her cheeks."

As much as i could understand, this song is set to the Hindustani ragam Basant. If there is more to this, or some correction needed, please let me know.
Song-Ketaki Gulab Juhi Champak (Basant Bahaar) (1956) 
Singers- Bhimsen Joshi, Manna Dey 
MD-Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
ritu basant apno kant, godi garwaa lagaay
jhulnaa mein baithe aaj pee ke sang jhoole
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
gal-gal kunj-kunj
gal-gal kunj-kunj, gun-gun bhanwaron ki goonj
raag-rang ang-ang chhedat rasiyaa anang
koyal ki pancham sun duniyaa dukh bhoole, bhoole, bhoole
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
aaa
ketaki gulaab joohi
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
aaa
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
aaa aaa aaa
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
ritu basant apno kant, godi garwaa lagaay
jhulnaa mein baith aaj pee ke kanj jhoole
pee ke kanj jhoole
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
madhur-madhur thori-thori, meethi batiyon se gori
madhur-madhur thori-thori
madhur-madhur thori-thori, meethi batiyon se gori
chit churaaye hansat jaay
chit churaaye hansat jaay
chori kar sir jhukaaye
seesh jhukaaye chanchal lat
gaalan ko chhoo le
gaalan ko chhoo le
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
ketaki gulaab joohi champakban phoole
ketaki gulaab joohi
aaa aaa
ketaki gulaab joohi
aaa
ketaki gulaab joohi
aaa aaa
ketaki gulaab joohi
ketaki ketaki ketaki

http://youtu.be/vcqmOaQSPDA

MWC_Edition49

January 3_RJ

In today's MWC, we look at a song in the NaaTTai Ragam. NaaTTai is an auspicious RAgam, suitable to begin a concert. Since it creates a highly musical atmosphere, when sung at the commencement of a concert, it is usually a preferred Ragam at the beginning of a concert. It brings in lot of energy as It evokes VIra Rasa.

The song chosen is Swaaminaatha paripaalaiyaasumaam sung by the Master GNB in his inimitable style. focus on the section from 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
http://youtu.be/8Q2i61mIslY

The song praises Lord Shanmuga, also called Swaminathan because he taught pranava mantra to his dad.The lyrics along with the meanings are available here -http://www.karnatik.com/c1046.shtml

An instrumental version by the Genius U Shrinivas is given here -http://youtu.be/Kus3q73tgOM, 
but i would recommend the vocal before moving on to the instrumental version.

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