From the Editor’s Desk...
During NavarAtri, I cherish connecting with the divine. As per tradition, I released videos for navarAtri for students to cherish the divine experience.
All the songs dedicated to the Goddess either speak of her benevolence, her valour or narrate tales from the multiple forms she chose to appear in. The narrative around each of these forms is focused on the Goddess’ courage, steadfast devotion and commitment.
This year, NavarAtri had a surprise in store for me! One of my rasikas Sri. Radhakrishna Prakhya appreciated the kritis using his eloquence in Samskritam, that I can't wait to share it with readers!
The nuance was, he appreciated the song, using raga, student names and essence of song through his verses. Without much ado, I would like our readers this month to dive into his penning and take this moment to
wish you all a happy Deepavali..
सदाशिवकृतं गीतं सन्ध्याऽऽनन्दप्रदायकम्।
काञ्चीपुरीश्वरी पातु सावेरीरागसन्नुता॥
sadāśivakṛtaṃ gītaṃ sandhyā''nandapradāyakam।
kāñcīpurīśvarī pātu sāverīrāgasannutā॥
The song composed by Sri Sadashiva Rao is a source of delight in the evening. May the presiding deity of Kanchipuram, the one who is praised in this song based on Saveri raga, Kamakshi, protect us!
ईशवशङ्करी गौरी मनोहरस्वरूपतः।
सदा भक्तवशीभूता कामाक्षी कुरुते शुभम्॥
īśavaśaṅkarī gaurī manoharasvarūpataḥ।
sadā bhaktavaśībhūtā kāmākṣī kurute śubham॥
Gauri, who enchants and controls Isha (Shiva)
With her captivating form
Is always captivated in turn by her devotees (through their intense devotion)
As Kamakshi, she blesses them with good fortune!
मार्गभ्रष्टाय सन्मार्गं दर्शयेत ध्रुवो यथा।
तथा शङ्कुरु कल्याणि त्वां विना न गतिर्भुवि॥
mārgabhraṣṭāya sanmārgaṃ darśayeta dhruvo yathā।
tathā śaṅkuru kalyāṇi tvāṃ vinā na gatirbhuvi॥
Just as Dhruva (the pole star) guides
Those who stray from their path
Oh Kalyani! Please offer good fortune (to those who are unfortunate)
Other than You, there is no other refuge in this world!
वाममार्गप्रिये शक्ते वामाचारप्रमोहितान्।सुप्तान् जागरयेः शीघ्रं त्वदीयकिङ्किणीध्वनेः॥
vāmamārgapriye śakte vāmācārapramohitān।suptān jāgarayeḥ śīghraṃ tvadīyakiṅkiṇīdhvaneḥ॥
Oh Shakti! Tantric practices please you immenselyWith the sounds of your ankletsPlease bring them back to their senses quicklyWho are bewitched and numbed by vile ways of living
त्वदीयकरुणादृष्ट्या केवलं कल्पकाम्बिके।महावाक्यप्रबोधस्य सम्भवोऽल्पमतौ मयि॥
tvadīyakaruṇādṛṣṭyā kevalaṃ kalpakāmbike।mahāvākyaprabodhasya sambhavo'lpamatau mayi॥
Oh Kalpakamba! Only with your benevolent glances on me,I, the feeble-minded one, can understand the mahavakyas!
मानसन्ध्यानमग्नं स्यात् त्वद्दीप्तपादपद्मयोः।
नान्या गतिर्विना ताभ्यां भुवनेश्वरि भूतले॥
mānasandhyānamagnaṃ syāt tvaddīptapādapadmayoḥ।
nānyā gatirvinā tābhyāṃ bhuvaneśvari bhūtale॥
Oh Bhuvaneshwari!
May my mind meditate
On Your radiant lotus feet
Other than them, there is none for me to seek!
शृङ्गेरीस्वामिभिर्यत् स्वयमभिरचितं स्रग्धरावृत्तमूलंसङ्गीतं ह्यष्टकं तत् श्रुतिसुखकरणं यैः स्मृतौ स्थापितं च।सन्ध्याऽनुश्रीध्रुवान् च त्रिभुवनपरिपाम् इन्दिरां सर्वकालंविद्यासद्बुद्धिदात्री कमलजदयिता पातु वागीश्वरी सा॥
śṛṅgerīsvāmibhiryat svayamabhiracitaṃ sragdharāvṛttamūlaṃsaṅgītaṃ hyaṣṭakaṃ tat śrutisukhakaraṇaṃ yaiḥ smṛtau sthāpitaṃ ca।sandhyā'nuśrīdhruvān ca tribhuvanaparipām indirāṃ sarvakālaṃvidyāsadbuddhidātrī kamalajadayitā pātu vāgīśvarī sā॥
The ashtakam written by the Shringeri Swami himself in the Sragdhara meter,Memorized fully as well as sung harmoniously and pleasingly,May Brahma's beloved, Vageeshwari who bestows knowledge and good intellect,Always protect Sandhya, Anushri, Dhruva, Bhuvaneshwari and Indira!
See you in next edition,
Sandhya Anand
Director of Samskritasangitam School of Music
Students Art Corner
Students Scribe
Research about Sri M.D. Ramanathan
1) Who was Sri M.D. Ramanathan? Who was his Guru?
Sri M.D. Ramanathan was a renowned Carnatic Vocalist, and he hailed from Palakkad, which is a very cultural place in Kerala. He was born in one of the most beautiful, green, lush, and divine parts of Kerala which is full of nature. He was trained in Karnataka Sangeetham, Carnatic Music, from a really young age, by his Guru, Sri Tiger Varadacharya. Sri M.D. Ramanathan and his Guru both fully believed
that the only way to learn Indian Carnatic Music was with the Guru-Shishya bandham (bonding). As Sri Tiger Varadacharya was his Guru, Sri M.D. Ramanathan always included the signature, “Varadadaasa” in all his compositions as his respect towards his Guru, being a singer as well as a composer.
One example of this is in his Kapi Thillana, where he includes “…Adi
Varadadaasanuta,” at the end of the Charanam.
2) What was his childhood like? What was his family’s musical background?
Sri M.D. Ramanathan was extremely dedicated and passionate about Carnatic Music at quite a young age. Moreover, since his father, Sri Devesha Bhagavathar, was a Carnatic vocalist and violinist, and his uncle was a Carnatic vocalist, Sri M.D.Ramanathan was influenced by Karnataka Sangeetham naturally. In fact, when he was only 4 years old, he sang Bhaja Govindam in front of Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal himself and got his blessings! Furthermore, when he was 9 years old, he presented his Arangetram, which was his very first public concert.
3) How did he structure his concerts? What did he usually sing in them?
Almost all of Sri M.D. Ramanathan’s concerts started off with the Kalyani Varnam in Ata Talam, “Vanajakshi Ninne Kori,” by Sri Pallavi Gopala Iyer. Most of his concerts had a composition on Lord Ganapathi in them; Vathapi Ganapathim by Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar was sung by him very often. Also, many concerts by Sri M.D. Ramanathan featured a Navagraha Kriti, and he gave Chittaswarams for all of them. He considered all Carnatic songs as his own too. In addition, the Pancharatna Kritis by Sri Thyagaraja Swami were always there, entitled in his “Menu,” or choice of compositions. Plus, he liked to sing a Neraval in the Madhyamakalam portion of a Kriti. To wind up his concerts, he typically concluded by singing Kalitavarasethubandham as a Mangalam. Even now, he is commonly known for his slow-paced compositions.
Sri M.D. Ramanathan:
Every brick in Sri M.D. Ramanathan’s home was built from a remuneration for each one of his performances. Overall, he performed a whole variety in his concerts, from small Geethams and Varnams, to intricate Ragam Thanam Pallavi elaborations and
Thillanas!
4) What were some of his accomplishments? What was his profound saying about music?
Sri M.D. Ramanathan was very articulate and eloquent, meaning that he expressed everything clearly in his music. He was full of heart and had a scholarly mindset of pure knowledge. He was exceptionally strong and accomplished in both Shuddha Swaras and Gamakas which is very rare. Additionally, he had won a prize of second
place in a competition at the Madras Music Academy and was remembered for this accomplishment of his as well.
For instance, Bhavayami Raghuramam was composed by Maharaja Sri Swati Tirunal. Then, it was tuned to a Ragamalika by Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. After that, Vid. M.S. Subbulakshmi popularized it and this kriti was heard by numerous people. However, Sri M.D. Ramanathan uniquely took this song to Celestial Levels!
Sri M.D. Ramanathan had written his own definition of Music. This is a wise way to take Karnataka Sangeetham, which was just taken from the word, “Music.” As a matter of fact, lots of people think that he himself created this word! This is how he intended to show the true meaning of Music:
M – Morality
U – Universality
S – Sincerity
I – Individuality
C – Creativity
IT'S PLAYTIME
Brace yourself for a fantastic time! We’re about to have more fun with Carnatic Connections
by
Akshara
Instructions to play:
Select four words that seem to have something in common. Click 'Submit'. If you're correct, the four selected words will group together, and the game will proceed. If you're incorrect, you'll lose one of your four chances, and the game will continue
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination