Jagadodharna

 

Composition: Purandar Daasar
Voice: M S Subbulaxmi

Composition Format: Kriti
Raag: Kaapi
Taal: Aadi Taal
Language: Kannada

I saw M S Subbulaxmi perform at a 1960s UN convention on youtube. It was the first time that I actually saw her sing. She looked young, confident, strong. I felt hypnotized by her powerful voice that echoed across the large auditorium. She sang two songs, one of which was 'Jagadodharna'. At the time, I was no different from a foreigner sitting in the audience; I had no clue what she was singing. I did not know what her songs meant or if they were in any way relevant to the immediate cause for the convention. 

With some difficulty I managed to find the names of the songs she had sung and I read their meaning. My eyes literally welled up with tears when I realized how perfect these songs were for a UN convention at that time. The world in the '60s was rife with civil wars, not to mention the ongoing cold war between the US and the USSR. M S had chosen two songs that should give leaders of the world hope and a new direction. 

Jagadodharna is a simple kriti about how Krishna's mother, Yashoda, is unaware that her child is an incarnation of the almighty and only sees him as her child. She showers all her affection upon him and plays with him like any mother would with their children. For me, the song conveys a beautiful message of hope to people everywhere which is that children are the image of God and they are the world's future. It is they that will save the world and love is all they need.
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Pallavi
Jagadoddharana adisidale yashode

Anupallavi/Charanam 1
Jagadoddharana maganendu tiliyuta
Magugala manikyana adisidala yashode

Charanam 2
Anoraniyana mahato mahimana
Aprameyana adisidala yashode

Charanam 3
Parama purusana paravasudevana
Purandara vittalana adisidalu yashode

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Translation:

Pallavi
Yashoda plays with the redeemer of the world

Anupallavi/Charanam 1
Only knowing the redeemer as her son
Yashoda plays with her precious child

Charanam 2
Smaller than the smallest atom, larger than the largest
The one who is limitless, Yashoda plays with him

Charanam 3
Greatest among men, lord almighty
Whom Purandar Daasar admires, Yashoda plays with him

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Source for lyrics and translation: http://krithis-theirmeanings-thestories.blogspot.in/2011/02/jagadodharana-adisidale-yasode.html


 

Raghuvamsa Sudha

Composition: Patnam Subramanya Iyer
Voice: M S Subbulaxmi

Composition Format: Kriti
Raag: Kathanakuthuhalam
Taal: Aadi Taal
Language: Telugu
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In my exploration of M S Subbulaxmi's music I chanced upon this sensational piece. After I had heard it a few times, I felt a curious urge to run around south Indian shores and explore the ancient temples. I pictured myself free and powerful.

I imagine myself standing tall on a cliff, arms open wide against the wind blowing with full force, my head thrown back and my eyes shut tight as I breath in the smell of a limitless green valley, victorious. I imagine a tall ornate temple standing strong against a sea in high tide, the sea waves thrashing upon its large dark stones. I enter the temple; it is dark; I walk slowly towards the light arising from the antechamber. As I enter the room, I am blinded by the magnificent light of the shrine. I struggle to see it clearly, and then, I see it.

Pallavi

Raghuvamsa sudhambudhi chandra shri

Rama Rama Rajeshvara

Anupallavi

Agha megha maruta shrikara

Asuresha mrigendra vara jagannatha

Chittaswaram

Sa- ReMa Ga- ReSa, Re- MaMa Dha- DhaNi,

Ga- GaPa Sa- SaNi, DhaPa MaGa PaMa GaRe

SaRe ReMa MaDha DhaNi, GaPa PaSa SaRe ReMa,

MaGa GaRe ReSa SaNi, NiDha DhaPa PaMa GaRe

Charanam

Jamadagnija garva khandana

Jaya rudradi vismita bhandana

Kamal-aptanvaya-mandana-

Ganita-pura-shaurya shri venkateshvara 
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Translation:

Pallavi
O moon to the nectar-ocean of the Raghu lineage!
Sri Rama, lord of emperors!

Anupallavi
O wind (that drives away the) sin-cloud! Maker of prosperity!
O lion (terrifying the) king of asuras! Noble lord of the world!

Charanam
O Destroyer of Parshurama's conceit!
One praised by the amazed Rudra and others!
O Ornament to the Solar dynasty!
O Doer of innumerable marvellous heroics! Lord Venkatesha!


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Source for lyrics and translation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raghuvamsa_Sudha
Source for information on the composer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patnam_Subramania_Iyer