Purandaradasa, Sangeetha Pithamaha of Carnatic music has composed numerous songs on Lord Narayana | Vittala (in different forms) and other deities. His first song was "Aanalekara" - a geetham in suddha saaveri. He is said to have composed about 4.75 lakhs of songs. (Not sure of the exact number though). Dasar pada are generally referred to the songs by Purandara. But then, there were other dasas - Vijaya Vittala Dasa, Kanakadasa, to name a few.
Navarasa are the nine moods. Emotions have given human life a rich foundation which governs our existence. It is a feeling that one undergoes at various circumstances. Rasa in Sanskrit refers to the "emotional state". It adds shades and colors to our human life. Nava meaning nine and rasa meaning essence | taste, is often exhibited in the dance art form as it is a visual depiction.
How do we show that in music? It is through the lyrical beauty and musical melody. The nava rasas - Shringara(love), Haasya(laughter), Karuna(compassion), Raudra(anger), Veera(courage), Bhayankara(terror), Bheebatsya(disgust), Adbhuta(surprise) and Shaanta(tranquility). While it is easier to depict this in the visual art form such as dance, to bring that expression through music can be done only through strong lyrics and an absolutely blending music.
Choosing a song that exhibits an emotion that is closer to a particular rasa is not that easy as most of the songs by composers are of requesting | pleading. In an attempt to blend the navarasa emotions with that of lyrics and choosing a raga that closely provides that feeling, Vidushis Sindhu and Smitha have released an album - Navarasa. Conceived by Vid Suchethan Rangaswamy and music scored by world renowned violinist Vid HN Bhaskar. They have already released a few songs from the album. This album is a unique of its kind for the richness and beauty in lyrics, song selection, melody in music composition, soothing singing by the sisters, visual beauty in its picturization, location spot etc.
A small info about the musicians:
Sindhu-Smitha:
The sisters are basically from Mysore and hail from a musical lineage and are the 3rd generation violinists. The sisters who are vocalists as well reside in Bengaluru. They are the disciples of Ganakala bhushana Vid Shri HK Narasimhamurthy.
Hailing from a family of musicians, Vid. Sri HN Bhaskar is world renowned violinist and a composer and is known for his emotive playing. A recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi award and a Best Violinist from the Madras Music Academy are some of the awards. He has accompanied almost all the musicians and has performed in many prestigious sabhas - both as violinist and as an accompanist.
Dr. Suchetan Rangaswamy:
A vocalist, a veena player and a music composer. He is a mentor for the TV show Saregamapa in Zee TV Kannada. He is also a television actor.
For a person like me who can't read or write or speak Kannada, subtitles and the meaning are a boon to easily understand and comprehend.
Links are provided below. Listen and subscribe to the channel.
- Karuna rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdz4CKoLwfQ
(Dasarapada- Karuniso - Vijayadasaru - Behag - Aadi)
- Raudra Rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLaNuj9N8KQ
(Dasarapada - Simha roopanaada srihari - Purandaradasa - Mayamalavagowla - Aadi)
- Haasya Rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxcP6Q1hUJs
(Dasarapada - Intha Hennanu Naanellu - Purandaradasa - Kathanakuthukala - Aadi)
- Bhayanaka Rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR-Bx54-F6E
(Dasarapada - Gummana Kareyadire Amma - Purandaradasa - Kamach - Aadi)
- Adbutha Rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQG9s1yQRv8
(Dasarapada - Nee Mayeyolago - Kanakadasaru - Karmavu - Kandachapu)
- Shrungara Rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ9g83sV1eg
(Dasarapada - Neere Nee Karetaare - Purandaradasa - Darbari Kaanda - Aadi)
