Carnatic Music for Tamil's & Everyone

[RR]

I follow my friend Ravi's Facebook series on 'Carnatic music through Tamil songs' , which is a great one. In one episode, he talked about Telugu keerthana's, to which a Tamil friend responded like "I don't think I can ever appreciate Telugu keerthanas!". It made me think because I was like him a few years ago. But recently been exploring the meanings (thanks to carnatic forum's and blogs), and enjoying carnatic music at a different level. I thought like: why not share the experience with others. So here I am.

The idea is: I will pick a popular non-Tamil kriti, get a good rendition of it and then build a lyrical video with Tamil translations. Will be sharing them on this thread.

Please watch and enjoy..!

[RR]

Episode 1: Nagumomu ganaleni (Abheri) || Tyagaraja || 16 Dec 2020 (Margazhi 1)

The celebrated kriti of Saint Tyagaraja with lyrics translation in Tamil.

Background: Historically, Saint Tyagaraja’s brother – in a fit of anger – threw the saint’s favorite idol of Lord Rama into a pond. Anguished by this, the poet sang this kriti and, it seems, the idol revealed itself soon after.

Gist of the kriti: In this kriti, Tyagaraja expresses his anguish through a series of questions:

“Won’t you come and save me from the plight of not being able to see your smiling face? Was it your team of escorts who didn’t remind you? Or, did your vAhanam express inability to take you? To whom would I complain? So, please do show yourself up, Lord!”

[raagadevan]

Thank you RR! This is one of my favorite versions of this Thyagaraja krithi. I have posted the movie video of this on other threads several times.
Looking at and reading the meaning of the lyrics while listening to it opens up an ethereal dimension to this amazing composition. Thanks again!

[RR]

Thank you RR! This is one of my favorite versions of this Thyagaraja krithi. I have posted the movie video of this on other threads several times.
Looking at and reading the meaning of the lyrics while listening to it opens up an ethereal dimension to this amazing composition. Thanks again!

Indeed an amazing composition with very poetic lyrics. One of the first kritis that revealed to me why Tyagaraja is respected so highly.

But not surprised you like this KJY version so much : )

[RR]

Episode 2 - 'Jagadodarana' (Purandaradasa) - 23 Dec 2020

My carnatic music early days started in Bangalore with Purandara songs. This specific song chose itself when Vasu sir joined me on Margazhi 1, when I posted Ep 1. This song is a small tribute to Shri Vasudevan's kindness and passion.

Background: Legend says that the great Purandaradasa composed the kriti, mesmerised by the beauty of the Krishna idol at the Aprameya Swami temple located in Doddamallur, Karnataka.

Gist of the kriti: The kriti is about the innocent Yashoda who played with her son Krishna, oblivious to the fact that he was god. Indirectly, it refers to the ‘Maya’ that makes us ignore the presence of God everywhere.

Watch and enjoy..

[RR]

Episode 3: Mahaganapathim - Nattai || Muthuswamy Dikshitar - 1 Jan 2021

"Appreciating non-Tamil kritis through lyrical videos with Tamil translations"

Background : Legend says that Dikshitar composed a series of kritis called ‘Shodasa Ganapati kritis’, dedicated to the sixteen (Shodasa) forms of Ganesha located in shrines around his birthplace Tiruvarur. This kriti refers to the ‘Maha Ganapati’ form.

Gist of the kriti : The kriti is an invocation to Lord Ganapati, and has meaning as below:
“I meditate upon the supreme Ganapati who is worshipped by Vasishta, the Vamadevas, etc. He is the son of Lord Shiva, and is praised by Guruguha. He shines bright like millions of cupids, is tranquil and loves great epics, drama, etc. He loves the sweet Modaka, and has a mouse as his mount”.