Dasar Padas and Navarasas

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.

Sri. HN Bhaskar:

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)

ஏதேனும் ஆவேனே!

இப்படியும் ஒரு தரிசனம் கிடைக்கும் என்று எள்ளளவும் நினைக்கவில்லை.

ஆம். திருப்பதி ஸ்ரீனிவாசனை காண வேண்டிய பயணம்...

கடந்த செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை தி நகரில் உள்ள திருப்பதி தேவஸ்தானம் கோவிலில் சென்று அழுது வேண்டினேன். அடுத்த செவ்வாய் -க்குள் உன்னை காண வரம் தா என்று!.

ஏன் வேண்டினேன் - நிரம்ப மாதங்கள் ஆயிற்று!

ஒரு பக்கம் CORONA வைரஸ் உலகையே தாக்குகிறது. social distancing - ஒரு மிக பெரிய தேவை என்ற நிலைமை. மனதிற்குள் ஒரே சஞ்சலம். 

மற்றொரு பக்கம், இதை ஏதும் எண்ணாமல் "எல்லாம் அவன் செயல் - சர்வம் கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம்" என்பது போல அவன் மேல் பாரத்தை போட்டு புறப்பட்டேன் திருப்பதிக்கு ரயில் மார்க்கமாய் திங்கள் அன்று.

தங்குவதற்கு ஒரு இடம் தேடி பிடித்து கொஞ்சம் ஆசுவாச படுத்திவிட்டு உணவு அருந்த சென்றேன்.

இரவு மணி 8.15. ஆங்காங்கே ஒரு சில மாமா மாமி-களின் உரையாடல்கள்.

ஒரு மாமா மாமி - free darshan ட்ரை பண்ணலாமா என்று பேசி கொண்டிருக்க, நாங்களும் போவோம்ல - என்ற வடிவேலு போல், அவர்களிடம் permission (கூட வர) சற்றும் வெட்கமே இல்லாமல் கேட்டு பின் தொடர்ந்தேன் 

கரும்பு தின்ன கூலியா!

பிக் பாஸ்-இல் சொல்வது போல - மணி 8:20. 

free பஸ்-இல் ஏறி, தர்ம தரிசனம் க்யூ -வில் சேர்ந்து சென்றோம்.

"நடந்த கால்கள் நொந்தவோ" - என்று ஆழ்வார் பாடியது சாரங்கபாணி பெருமாளை நோக்கி. இங்கே நடக்கும் கால்கள் செல்வது வேங்கடவனை பார்க்க அல்லவா!. 

நாங்கள் 5 பேர் ஒன்றாக நடந்து சென்று சன்னதி செல்வதற்கு சற்று  முன் வரை நடந்தோம் (படிக்கவும் - நடந்தோம்). Checking எல்லாம் கூட நேரம் எடுக்கவில்லை.

2 இடங்களில் தான் ஒரு 5 - 7 மினிட்ஸ் நிற்க வேண்டியதாக இருந்தது. கர்ப கிரஹம் ஐ நோக்கி செல்ல செல்ல என்ன ஒரு ஆனந்தம்!.ஆம். இடத்தின் பெயர் ஆனந்த நிலையம் தானே!. வாய் விஷணு ஸஹஸ்ரநாமத்தை சொல்லி கொண்டிருக்க கண்கள் அந்த  "தாமரை கண்ணினன்" (Refer திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் decad பெரிய திருமொழி 1-8) அழகை காண ஆயிரம் கண் வேண்டாமோ!

திருமங்கை மன்னன் பாடியது போல, 

"கொங்கலர்ந்த மலர் குருந்தம் ஒசித்த கோவலன் எம்பிரான்...

செங்கயல் திளைக்கும் சுனைத் திருவேங்கடம் அடை நெஞ்சமே!"

Free தர்ஷன் நிஜமாகவே free ஆக இருப்பது போல - மிக மிக நன்றாக ஒரு சேவை. நின்று நிதானமாய் ஒரு தரிசனம். 

கடுகளவும் எதிர்பார்க்காத சேவை!. 

நிற்க - தாயார்,  கோவிந்தராஜர்,வராஹர், பின் வேங்கடமுடையன் - இது தான் முறை!. 

ஆனால் சில காரணங்களால் இந்த order follow செய்ய முடியவில்லை. இருப்பினும், எங்கு சென்றாலும் மக்கள் கூட்டம் இருந்த போதும் "ஜெரகண்டி" என்று சொல்லாமல் பிடித்து தள்ளாமல் நன்றாக எல்லாரும் மகிழ்வுறும் படி செய்த TTD- க்கு ஒரு பாராட்டு.

குலசேகர பெருமான் வேண்டியது  போல, 

"ஊனேறு செல்வத்து பிறவி யான் வேண்டேன்..... 
செம்பவள வாயான் திருவேங்கடம் என்னும் எம்பெருமான் பொன்மலை மேல் ஏதேனும் ஆவேனே!"

ஏதேனும் ஆவதற்கு கூட அவர்  திருவுள்ளம் இசைய வேண்டுமென்றோ!

இனி corona உலகிற்கு வரக்கூடாது என்று வேண்டுவோம்! 

வேண்டியதை தந்திட வெங்கடேசன் என்றிருக்க 

வேண்டியது வேறில்லை மறை மூர்த்தி கண்ணா!

Hampi - Land of ruins

In what turned out to be a last minute travel with "on the verge" of missing the train, I went out for a 2 day trip to Hampi. Hampi is located around 12 km from Hosapete, a city in Ballari district in Karnataka.

People may ask what is there to see the ruins. But, only when you visit you will be able to feel, how a dynasty known for building traditions of South and Central India came together got destroyed and every architectural beauty got decimated.

Hampi got declared as a UNESCO Heritage site in 1986. Located near the Tungabadra river, Hampi was once a wealthy and a grand city. Trading was a major activity which attracted traders from Portugese and Persians.

Known as King of Kings, Vijayanagara empire flourished during Krishna Deva Raya period and this empire served as a barrier from Muslim invasion in to the South. Krishna Deva Raya's successors however tasted defeat. After the defeat in the hands of the coalition of Muslim sultanates, the Vijayanagara empire fell and its capital was conquered, pillaged  and all the Hindu architectural buildings, temples were demolished and the ruins were thrown in to the river(circa 1565).

If one plans for a Hampi trip, you will need at least a bare minimum of 3 days to see around the town. And if you are inclined to the art - photography, you will need at least 5 days. The sun falling on the pillars of mantapas, the structural beauties, monolithic stones, boulders - everything is a beauty to see | visit. If you have seen the new INR 50 rupee note, you could see the Stone chariot.

I took a 2 day off and started off on a train from Chennai - Hubbali (via Hosapet). The train is a bi-weekly express. My co-traveler who is a passionate photographer and I reached Hosapet at the midnight 1.40 am. We got in to an auto and reached Hampi by around 230 am and stayed in Kamalapura, 4 kms from Hampi.

The tour was organized by leading Monument Photographer, Professor, ex-banker, Mr Ramanidharan. All I had to do is just travel. He took care of all the 6 of us(4 of them were already there 2 days earlier). He explained every monument and gave us tips as to how to capture light and in which angle.

Ramani sir must have visited Hampi at least 25 times. He knew the length and breadth of entire Hampi. If any one is interested in Hampi, and in addition you are a photographer, plan a trip.

The beauty of Hampi is that, when you leave the city, it sports a smile and says "Visit me again". 

Some of the photos displayed here. Copyright - Hema.

 Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

                                                         Virupaksha Temple - Boulder view

 Pattabirama Temple - Axial mantapas

 Pattabirama Temple - View for another entrance

 Sunset from Hemakoota Hills 

 Sunset from Hemakoota Hills - Light Hues

 Sunset from Hemakoota Hills

 Virupaksha Temple - Pillar view

Enjoy your trip to Hampi!

AaNdaaL & Chithirai Festival

Chitra Pournami - A blend of both Saivism and Vaishnavism. When AaNdaaL sets out from Srivilliputtur to Srirangam to marry Lord Ranganatha, she stops by at Kallazhagar temple and prays that if her wish was fulfilled, she will offer 100 pots of sweet pongal and 100 pots of butter. This has been described in her Nachiar Tirumozhi.(#9). Starting with describing the beauty of thirumaliruncholai Lord.
சிந்தூர செம்பொடிப்போல் திருமலிருஞ் சோலையெங்கும்
இந்திர கோபங்களே எழுந்தும்பரந் திட்டனவால் மந்தரம் நாட்டியன்று மதுரக்கொழுந் சாறுகொண்ட சுந்தர தோளுடையான் சூழலையினின் றுய்துங்கொலோ
This pasuram is in 9.1. It is interesting to note that in this shrine AaNdaaL is in sitting position as against standing position in most of the temples.AaNDaaL's 9.6 pasuram explains her prayers to Lord Sundarajara PerumaL. Knowing Krishna is fond of butter, she feels if the food is offered, HE might come and she will have a change to meet the Lord.

நாறு நறும்பொழில் மாலிருஞ்சோலை நம்பிக்கு நான் நூறு தடாவில்வெண்ணெய் வாய்நேர்ந்து பரவி வைத்தேன் நூறு தடா நிறைந்த அக்கார வடிசில் சொன்னேன் ஏறு திருவுடையான் இன்று வந்திவை கொள்ளுங்கொலோ

Oh Lord of Thirumaliruncholai which has so fragrant flower gardens, I give my word that I will offer 100 pots of butter and sweet pongal. Will the Lord who holds Lakshmi come and accept my offering?
But, AaNdaaL could not fulfill her promise as she was invited by Ranganathar to join him in Srirangam. This happened around 8th century.
Ramanujar who is also refered to as UDayavar, decided to fulfill this promise himself by offering them to Lord at Thirumaliruncholai a couple of centuries later. When he went to Srivilliputtur after this offering, it is said that AaNdaaL came out of the shrine and called him as "en Anna" (my brother who fulfilled the promise) in view of his love for her.
Of course, the celestial wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar in Madurai as part of the Chithirai Thiruvizha.. People from Madurai are blessed to witness this festival.People welcome Lord Kallazhagar as he enters Madurai. This is called as Edhir-sevai.

It is said that KaLLazhagar wanted to witness his sister(Meenakshi)'s wedding with Sundareswarar and by the time he reached the Vaigai river, he is informed that the wedding is over. Knowing this, he gets upset and stops at Vaigai. Meenakshi and Sundareswarar on hearing this, visit the Vaigai river to pacify him. Saddened and angered that he could not witness the wedding, he enters in to Vaigai river and hands gifts and goes back to Azhagar Kovil in palanquin decorated with flowers without visiting Madurai.

There is another story on Mandooka rishi was cursed by Durvasar and he got his curse relieved by praying in Azhagar Kovil. Sage Durvasa cursed him to be a frog. Impressed by his prayers, Lord of Tirumaliruncholai comes to relieve the curse.

Although this festival was intiially done in Jan (thai month in tamizh), they needed people to pull the chariot. Thai month being a harvest month, the festival did not see much crowd. Hence, it was shifted to Chitirai (Apr- May). (as heard). The water splashing event is also a form to combat the heat during April.

Hope to visit this shrine soon!. For those, who would like to know how akkara-adisal is being made, please visit Akkara-adisal

She and Him

After a brief hiatus... It has been almost 5 years since I wrote anything. Somewhere, I lost my strand to write and there are several reasons. I hope to gather some strands and continue in the forthcoming days. I begin with a cute love story.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Lao Tzu

It was perhaps love at first sight for both of them. The way she cuddles him, the way he loves her unconditional, everything is sweet. 

Somewhere between the Hi's in the morning and to the Good Night's in the night, the love blossomed every day. Every day it grew by a cm. Be it the jogging mornings or the playing evenings, every conversation between them is beautiful. The chemistry between them worked just perfect. He can study her mood to an extent and he also knows how to keep her happy. When he got hurt in his legs, she was petrified. Scared if he will limp all through his life, she applied ointments, gave medications (all with extra care and love). He never disappointed her. A fine evening, he started playing football and to her surprise sprinted a 10m run as well!.. After all, he is her cute pup who she raised giving unconditional love. What you give is what you receive. Give Love in abundance, it will multiply and come back to you!

Self confidence

Recently, I came across this interesting story told by our honorable CM. I have tried to capture the entire story. The story goes like this. 

Once there was a rat which was very scared of cats and other animals. It saw a rishi and prayed to Rishi, "I am getting scared of cat..... Can you convert me in to a cat?". The sage looked at the rat, smiled and said, okay!. Will convert and the rat became a cat. It felt happy. The cat was wandering in the forest and after a few days it met the same sage. It went up to the sage and said, "Thanks for converting me. But,these days, I am getting scared of whenever I see a tiger. Why don't you change me to a tiger. Tiger is big and majestic also!". The sage again smiled and made the now cat to a tiger. The tiger was very happy and was going all around the forest..... After a few days, the sage again saw the tiger and asked if the tiger is doing fine. The tiger said, "yes". But, I really get scared whenever I see a hunter. I have a feeling that he will hunt me. So, is it possible for you to convert me into a hunter. That way, I will never be more happy!. The sage got a bit annoyed and said, "Oh rat, the fear in you is not going to change in whichever form I change you to!. Unless you come out of the fear in you, the appearance makes no difference. Until, you get out of fear, be in your original form itself... ". He converted the tiger back to its original form.

The inner fear many times proves to be an obstacle in our growth trajectory. Nice and interesting story to shed all inhibitions and fear!.

Signing off,
SPH

My Playlist - 1

Ever since I got inducted(!) in to listening to Carnatic music, my mind has not traveled anywhere other than listening to good music. Thanks to my parents who have never objected to my listening even if it involves skipping house hold work. They rather welcomed it :-). You never know when you get that feeling in you that your soul gets purified every time you listen to good music. If you note carefully, when you start appreciating good music, music will in turn take care of you/speak to you!. This is my personal feeling. The listed is not in any particular order. Some of the list I love listening to any time by the vocalist (and of course in Violin as well) in bracket

Shanmukhapriya (M - 56) - I got introduced to this ragam through my parents and thanks to Maharajapuram Santhanam audio cassette and "All India Radio, Tiruchirapalli Vaanoli nilayam.- Isai arangam"- in the mornings. The first song I listened in this ragam is "vilayada idhu nerama"!. Called as Chaamaram in Dikshidhar school, there are lot of compositions on Lord Muruga. Perhaps, I wonder if it got the name because it is a ragam loved by Shanmugha?.  This ragam evokes a kind of a bhakthi rasa or a perfect divinity so as to say. As lots of compositions are there, my personal favorite other than mentioned is "Siddhi Vinayakam anisham" by Dikshidhar. ( Palghat K V Narayanaswamy with Shri MSG - bliss!) not failing to mention the fireworks of swarams at prasidha gana nayakam.. - Total bliss!

Karaharapriya (M - 22) - This has a distinct melody while listening. Said to be a parent of many famous janya ragas, the perfectly rendered aalapanai brings out the karuna rasa. There are many songs in this raga which I listen to with abundance of joy everytime. Some being - "Chakkani raja"  ( Smt MS Subbulakshmi), "Mithri Bhagyame" (Shri KVN), "Okkapari" by Annamacharya (MS Subbulakshmi), "Appan avadharitha" by none other than Shri T M Krishna. I love listening to the aalapanai on the violin!. It just takes you to a different world! More like a meditation!.

Bhairavi (J - 20 - Natabhairavi) - Though this is a sampoorna raga, this does not have a distinctive place as a Melakartha ragam. Yet another ragam to be listened to in violin!. From the famous Viribhoni varnam to "Upacharamulu" by Thyagaraja, there are many lovely songs in Bhairavi.  "Yaaro Ivar Yaaro" (Madurai Mani Iyer), "Balagopala" (Shri MD Ramanathan), "Enaati Nomu" (Smt Bombay Jayashri), "Keechu keechendru" - Tiruppavai (Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar / ML Vasanthakumari / KV Narayanaswamy)

Kalyani (M - 65) - Considered to be the Queen of the raga family, this is one ragam in which almost every vageyakaras have composed a song!. Many janya ragas having the surname as Kalyani(! :) to name a few - Hameer Kalyani, Hamsa Kalyani, Yaman Kalyani, Mohana Kalyani. It elicits a graceful rasa and provides ample scope for improvisation. The very famous Ethavunara, Pankaja lochana (Ranjani Gayatri), Bhajare re chitta (Bombay Jayashri, MDR - particularly neraval at "devim shakthim bheejothbhava...", "Kamalambham bhajare" (Sanjay Subramanyam), "Unnai allal" (Maharajapuram Santhanam). When I listened to a full fledged "Pankaja lochana" in Violin, I was totally immersed and was taken to a spiritual world and had to come back later to the materialistic world!. The famous RTP by ARI with Pallavi - "Sankarabharananai azhaithodi vaadi Kalyani Darbarukku" is very interesting to listen to!

I have personally loved listening to some of the violin accompanists of yesteryears - to name a few - Rajamanickam Pillai (MMI - Perfect team - Pazhani Subramaniya Pillai - Kanjira, Palghat Mani Iyer - Mridangam), Shri MS Gopalakrishnan (MS) - solo as well, Shri TN Krishnan (ARI, KVN),Shri VV Subramaniam, Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman to name a few!. They are gems!.

Playlist continues...

Signing off,

SPH