Kala Ramnath - Maand Hori

Player: Kala Ramnath

Composition Format: Dhun

Raag: Maand
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Kala Ramnath is N Rajam's niece. I had heard of her from my sister who follows her music and decided to explore her along with N Rajam. I found her playing distinctively different from N Rajam's; her playing being more playful, more youthful; perhaps naturally so. Her playing also felt very personal. When she plays a piece, she seems to have a deep connection with it, like a story is attached to it.

When I heard this one, I could immediately recognize the melody as similar to 'Padharo mhare des', the beautiful folk song of Rajasthan. Some reading led me to the finding that the two pieces really were connected. Maand is a kind of composition or a style of singing from Rajasthan which has been widely adopted in classical music for melodious, upbeat dhuns like this one.

Holi in Rajasthan

This article gives a brilliant overview of maand's use in classical music, particularly focusing on its use in Carnatic music. Maand has even come to being seen as a raag and this article summarizes its construction beautifully: "The notes that feature in the conventional Maand raga include Sadja, Suddha Rishabha, Antara Gandhara, Suddha Madhyama, Pancama, Chatusruti Dhaivata, and Kakali Nishada, and not in that order. 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." I plan to explore all the pieces mentioned in this article because Im sure to like most of them!

I liked this piece so much because although the format and setting of the dhun is cheerful, there is a hint of pathos underlying the melody. It seems to be saying, "holi has come and my love, you are still not with me." Every prolonged movement of the bow seems to be full of yearning, every subdued note seems to be arising out of a forlorn soul... Like the lovesick maid is sitting in her window, looking down upon the streets filled with colour, remembering how beautiful holi was when he was with her, and wishing he could be there with her now... And perhaps, the jhala-like fast movement towards the end signifies his arrival? I believe it does :)

Dr. N Rajam - Soor Das Ji Bhajan in Rupak Taal

Bhajan by: Soor Das ji
Player: Dr N Rajam

Taal: Rupak Taal
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I feel so comforted when I hear this.... Like a lover's arms have embraced me warmly... He truly loves me... and I truly love him..... and the world is perfect around us.... :)

I learnt to play the violin in the gayaki style which is the forte of Dr. N Rajam. In this style, instrumental music is played the way a song is sung - the techniques of singing are applied to instrumental music.

I don't know which bhajan by Soor Das this is. I just found it in an album and fell in love with it. The title says Soor Das ji Bhajan in Rupak Taal but doesn't mention which bhajan it is. So if anyone out there is listening to this and knows about it, please tell me! I would love to know what words comprise this divine melody.

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

Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari

 
Words: Soor Das Ji
Composition: Indira Devi
Voice: M S Subbulaxmi

Language: Brij Bhasha
Raag:
Taal: Rupak

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M S Subbulaxmi and Soor Das Ji are both a revelation to me presently. I knew a couple of bhajans by Soor Das Ji from school but never really thought much about them. As for M S, I had no clue who she was till a month back! Growing up, I learnt Hindustani classical music and so I was more familiar with names from this genre of classical music. I still do not know anyone else from the Carnatic tradition except M S (but I hope to get intimate with more names very soon).

So one fine night I decided to expand my horizons into Carnatic music and the first name that came up was M S Subbulaxmi and soon I realized I was listening to something special. I then heard her renditions of some of Soor Das Ji's bhajans and, for the first time, I realized how beautiful these simple songs of the blind saint were! Suddenly, I was deluged by the beauty of these pearl-like words and their immense emotional capacity. 

I am currently a captive of this particular bhajan 'Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari' and so I present their lyrics below, followed by a rather literal translation. 

Please Note: I have noted down the lyrics by listening to the song. They are mostly accurate except for a couple of lines which I couldn't understand and they are highlighted in a different colour. Please feel free to suggest corrections. I just couldn't find the lyrics to this bhajan anywhere on the net.

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"Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

To so badhik vachal nahi, nath kaun to so?

Mo so patit aur nahin, na najh mo so

To hi aaye sharan teri, hey hriday-haari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

Kamal nayan, madhur bayan, maal gal suhave

Chapal charan, Manmohan Yamuna tat aave

Madhur, madhur murli adhar, ang peet dhaari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

Hey Kripalu naam tero sun ke neer aaye

Beri-beri itni der Shyam kyu lagaayi?

Janam-janam baat dekhu, naath, mai tihari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari..."

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Translation:

O Govind! O Gopal! Krishna, O Murari! (All names of Krishna)
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

There is no one like you, who can be a lord like you?
No bigger sinner than me, no one else
Thus, I submit to you, O saviour of souls
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

Lotus-eyed, sweet natured, garland adorned
With swift feet, Manmohan, come near Yamuna
The sweet, sweet flute on lips, yellow attired
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

O kind lord, hearing your name I cry
Why do you delay again, Shyam?
I have been waiting for you all through my lives
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

O Govind! O Gopal! Krishna, O Murari!
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

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Source for name of composer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKPvw1YtpCg