Carnatic Vocal Concert by Lavanya Sundararaman

As a part of Kalasagaram Annual Youth Festival of Music, Kum. Lavanya Sundararaman presented an excellent carnatic vocal concert on 13th Feburary 2010. Sri R. Dinakar gave support on violin, Sri Burra Sriram on Mridangam, Smt. K. Radha Padmaja on morsing and Shri Ramakrishna on shruthi.

Photo Courtesy: ivrcl2 Picasa Album

About the artist:

Lavanya hails from a family of musicians. Great grand daughter of Mridangam Maestro Late Palghat SriIyer T.S. Mani and also Gana Saraswathi Padma Vibhushan Late Smt. D.K. Pattammal. Grandfather Sri I. Sivakumar is a renowned musician; mother Smt. Gayathri Sundararaman is a well established vocalist. She is the niece of the famous Kalaimamani Dr. Nithyasree Mahadevan. She is very fortunate to have started carnatic vocal music from a very tender age from her illustrious great grand mother Smt. D.K. Pattammal. Her grandmother Smt. Lalitha Sivakumar is her mentor and is undergoing rigorous training under her in the nuances of carnatic music. Dr. Nithyasree Mahadevan is helping her in voice culture and her mother Smt. Gayathri Sundararaman is her driving force and also trains her. She took her initial bala padam from Sri Poorna Pragya Rao.

Kum. Lavanya won carnatic vocal music scholarship given by Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Group of Schools from 2000 to 2006. She has won several prizes in music competitions conducted by many prestigious institutions such as Narada Gana Sabha , Mylapore Fine Arts, Music Academy, Chennai etc.,. She has given concerts not only in India but also abroad in countries like Sri Lanka, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia. She has presented thematic programmes such as Muthuswami Dikshitar Kritis, Subramanya Bharathirar Kritis, Oothukkadu Venkatasubbier Kritis, Papanasam Sivan Kritis, Muthaiah Bhagavathar Kritis etc. She was awarded the Title of 'Tamil Isai Kuyil' by Toronto Tamil Sangam. She has also sung in a few albums with Nithyasree Mahadevan and also in solo programmes. At present, she is doing her B. Music course in Queen Maris College, Chennai. A chip off the old block, Lavanya possesses a sweet voice and holds great promise for the future in the carnatic music realm.

The Concert:

My personal favorites from the concert are 'Manasa Etulorthune', 'Bharatha Samudayam Vazhgave' and the Krishna bhajan of Swathi Thirunal.

1. Nee Daya Raada Neerajakshi (Varnam) - Andolika - Adi - GNB (Lyrics)
2. Vinata Suta Vahana Shri Ramana - Jayantasena - Deshadi - Tyagaraja (Lyrics)
3. Makelara Vicharamu - Ravi Chandrika - Deshadi - Tyagaraja (Lyrics)
   Swaras
   
4. Manasa Etulorthune - Malayamarutham - Rupaka - Tyagaraja (Lyrics)
   Alapana, Neravel and Swaras @ 'Kalilo Rajasa Taamasa Gunamulu Galavaari Chelimi'
5. Kancha Dalaayataakshi Kaamakshi - Kamala Manohari - Adi - Muthuswami Dikshitar (Lyrics)
6. Marakoti Sundari Manini - Bahudari - Adi - GNB (Lyrics)
7. Eppadi Padinaro - Devagandhari - Adi - Suddhananda Bharati (Lyrics)
   Short Alapana
   
8. Parvati Ninnu Ne Neranammithi - Kalgada - Adi - Shyama Shastri (Lyrics)
   
9. Nenarunchinanu - Malavi - Adi - Tyagaraja (Lyrics)
10. Innumum Sandhehappadalamo Isha - Keeravani - Chapu - Gopalakrishna Bharatiyaar (Lyrics)
    Alapana, Neravel and Swaras @ 'Ponnambalam Tanil Tandavamadiya', Taniavarthanam
    
11. Bharatha Samudayam Vazhgave - Adi - Subramania Bharatiyar (Lyrics*)
12. Aye Girdhar Dware Mere Gori - Subha Panthuvarali - Adi - Swathi Tirunal (Lyrics**)
13. Punkuyil Kuvum Punjcolaiyil Orunal - Todi - Adi - Kalki (Lyrics)
14. Thillana
15. Shanti Nilava Vendum - Tilang - Sethumadhava Rao - Adi (Lyrics)
16. Nine Anatha Bandhu Karunya Sindhu - NadanamakriyA - Chapu - Purandara Dasa (Lyrics***)
17. Bhavamana - Mangalam - Sourashtra - Adi - Thyagaraja
    

* Lyrics from the cache copy of this page which is not accessible anymore.
P: bhArata samudAyam vAzhgavE vAzhga vAzhga
bhArata samudAyam vAzhgavE jaya jaya jaya
A: muppadu kOTi janangaLin sanga muzhumaikkumpOdu uDamai
oppilAda samudAyam ulagattirkk-oru pudumai vAzhga
C1: manidar uNavai manidar parikkum vazhakkam ini uNDO
manidar nOha manidar pArkkum vAzhkkai iniyuNDO (nalmilanda)
2: iniya mozhigaL neDiya vayangaL eNNarum peru nADu
kaniyum kizhangum dhAnyangaLum kaNakkinrit-taru nADu idu
kaNakkinrit-taru nADu nitta nittam kanakkinrittaru nADu vAzhga
3: ini oru vidhi sheivOm adai enda nALum kAppOm
taniyoruvanukk-uNavillaiyenil jagattinai azhittiDuvOm vAzhga
4: ellA uyirgaLilum tAnE irukkirEn enruraittAn kaNNa perumAn
ellArum amara nilaiyeidu nan muraiyai indiyA ulagirkk-kaLikkum Am
indiA ulagairk-kaLikkum Am Am indiA ulagirk-kaLikkum vAzhga
5: ellArumOr kulam ellArumOr inam ellArum indiA makkaL
ellArumOr nirai ellArumOr vilai ellArum innATTu mannar nAm
ellArum innATTu mannar Am ellArum innATTu mannar vAzhga

** Lyrics from the cache copy of this page which is not accessible anymore.
P: AyE girdhar dvArE mErE gOrI
C1: amjan adhar lalAT mahAbar nayan unInde cal AyE
rayan samay prabhu chal bal karikE kaun tiyA ku birmAyE
2: bin guN mAl virAjat hiya mem drDha gal baiyA sukh pAyE
brajA nArI ku bancan karkE kaisE prItam sukh pAyE
3: sOlA singAr kari phUlan kE hAr liyE vividh sugandh sE man bhAyE
baiThI thI mO man kE sAthI kumud sarOvar kumhAlayE
4: sukh kE kAran dukh kE nivAran madhuvan murali dhun gAyE
padmanAbh prabhu phaNi parashAyI kOTi mAyan tan chavi chAvE

*** Lyrics from the cache copy of this page which is not accessible anymore.
P: nInE anAtha bandhu kAruNya sindhu
1: patigaiLiddarEnu satiya bhangakodagalilla
gati nInE mukundanendareativEgadi akSayavitte krSNa
2: matagajavella kUDidarEnu adara samayakodagalilla
madanayya madhusUdananendare mundindali bandodagide krSNa
3: shileya meTTi kulake tande baliya bEDi satpadaviyanitte
sulabadhi bhajisuva bhaktara salahuva celuva purandara viTTalarAya

Kalasagaram Annual Youth Festival of Music

Kalasagaram and Sharada Cultural Trust presents G.N.B. Centenary Celebrations Concerts in Annual Youth Festival of Music (Talent Promotion Concerts). Venue is Keys High School, Secbad and time is 6:30 PM. Entry is free.

• 12th Feb 2010: Carnatic Vocal by Master D.L. Prachotan (Disciple of Sri D. Raghava Chary of Hyderabad Brothers).
• 13th Feb 2010: Carnatic Vocal by Kum. Lavanya Sundararaman (Disciple and Great Grand-Daughter of Smt. D.K. Pattammal)
  
• 14th Feb 2010: Carnatic Vocal by Sri Sandeep Narayan (Disciple of Sri Sanjay Subrahmanyam)
  

Sorry for posting this really late. I came to know about the programs just yesterday.

Carnatic Concert by Sri Vijay Siva

As part of 19th Annual Cultural Festival and 162nd Aradhana of Satguru Sri Thyagaraja Swamy, Sharada Cultural Trust organized a week long music festival from 24th January 2009 to 1st February 2009 at Keys High School, Secunderabad. On 25th January, Sri N. Vijay Siva rendered an excellent carnatic vocal concert. He was accompanied by Sri R.K. Srirama Kumar on violin, Sri N. Manoj Siva on mridangam and Trichy Sri K. Murali on ghatam.

Courtesy: Link

1. Introduction
   
2. Sarasuda Ninne Kori - Varnam - Saveri - Adi - Kothavaasal Venkataraamaiyyar (Lyrics)
3. Innum Paramukham Eno - Begada - Rupakam - Doraisami Iyer
   Neraval and Swarams @ 'Vanna Thogai Mayil'
4. Marakatha Mani Varna Rama - Varali - Adi - Thyagaraja (Lyrics)
   Neraval and Swarams @ 'Dharani Tanayakunna Prema Rasamu'
5. O Jagadamba Nannu Amba - AnandhaBhairavi - Adi - Shyama Sastry (Lyrics)
6. Sri Balasubramanya - Bilahari - Misrachapu - Muththuswamy Dikshithar
   Neraval and Swarams @ 'Abala Gopa Viditha Deena Sharanya'
   
7. Ramabhi Rama Manasu - Dhanyasi - Adi - Thyagaraja
   
8. Nadachi Nadachi Chuchera - Kharaharapriya - Adi - Thyagaraja (Lyrics)
   Swaramas @ 'Nadachi Nadachi Chuchera'
   Taniavarthanam
9. Enganum Vara Varakanisangal Illamal - Kalyani - Adi - Kavi Kunjara Bharathi
   
10. Tridaksha Vardhaki - Ragamalika - Narayana Bhattadri (Link)
11. Thiruvazhat Thiruvazhi Sankham Vaazhat - Ragamalika - Adi - Sri Koneri Appanaiyengar (Lyrics)
12. Harivasaradha Upavasa - Sindhubhairavi - Purandara Dasu
    
13. Bhagyatha Lakshmi Baramma - Madhyamavathi - Adi - Purandara Dasu (Lyrics)
14. Tirruppugazh - Mohana - Adi - Arunagirinadha
    
15. Bhavamana - Mangalam - Sourashtra - Adi - Thyagaraja
    

[12th March 2009 - Update: The MP3 files have been removed at the request of the artist.]

Concert by Sri O.S. Thyagarajan

A grand carnatic vocal concert by Sri O.S. Thyagarajan took place at Keys High School, Secunderabad on 7th February 2009. The violin support was given by Delhi Sri P. Sundara Rajan, mrudangam by Chidambaram Sri S. Balashankar and ghatam by Sri Nemani Somayajulu. It was organized by Sri Chandrasekharendra Sangeetha Educational Society as a part of their 10th annual music festival.

Photo Courtesy: The HinduIf there are any copyright issues for putting the MP3s for free download, please let me know. I will remove the access to files in that case. I am hoping that the MP3s downloaded from here are ONLY for personal use and will NOT be used for commercial purposes.

1. Introduction (MP3)
   
2. Sami Daya Jooda (Varnam) - Kedara Gowla - Adi - Tiruvottiyur Thyagayya (MP3, Lyrics)
3. Evarani Nirnayinchirira - Devamruthavarshini - Adi - Thyagaraja (MP3, Lyrics)
4. Ilalo Pranatarti Harudanucu - Atana - Adi - Thyagaraja (MP3, Lyrics)
5. Nemamu Tho - Lathangi - Adi - Tiruvottiyur Thyagayya (MP3)
   - Ragalapana, Neraval @ 'Samaja Varadayani Ninnepudu'
   
6. Enrikku Shiva Krupai Varumo - Mukhari - Misra Chapu - Neelakaanta Shivan (MP3, Lyrics, Lyrics)
7. Karanam Kettu Vaadi - Purvi Kalyani - Adi - Gopalakrishna Bharathi (MP3, Lyrics)
8. Shridhara Pahi Dayakara - Jayantashri - Rupaka - Mysore Vasudevacharya (MP3)
   
9. Ninne Nammi Nanu - Thodi - Misra Chapu - Shyama Sastry (MP3)
   - Ragalapana, Neraval @ 'Kamakshi Kanchadalayathakshi', Taniavarthanam
   
10. Eppovaruvaro - Jonpuri - Adi - Gopalakrishna Bharathi (MP3, Lyrics)
11. Momu Joopara - Behag - Rupaka - Annamacharya (MP3)
    
12. Nadupai - Madhyamavathi - Khandachapu - Thyagaraja (MP3, Lyrics)
    Mangalam

The entire concert can be downloaded in two zip files: file1 and file2.

SICA Hyderabad - Kalyani Balakrishna Iyer Memorial Concert on 11th Feb 2009

SICA Hyderabad is organizing Grand Carnatic Vocal Concert (Kalyani Balakrishna Iyer Memorial Concert) by "Carnatica Brothers" Sri K.N. Sashikiran & P. Ganesh (Vocal Duet) on 11th Feb 2009 at 6:30 PM at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad. Violin support by Sri V.L. Kumar, Mridangam by Sri M.L.N. Raju and Morsing by Sri P. Srinivasagopalan.

Carnatica Brothers: Grandsons of legendary Gottuvadhyam Narayana Iyengar, Sashikiran and Ganesh are cousins who sing as the vocal duo "Carnatic Brothers". The duo have stormed the carnatic music world at the age of two as child prodigies and have since emerged as front-ranking musicians. They had their advanced training under "Sangita Kalanidhi" Brida and also from T. Viswanathan and Calcutta K. S. Krishna Murthy. They have performed extensively in India and in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia & UAE. They now have a vast experience of over 3500 concerts, lecture demonstrations, jugal bandis and fusion concerts. They have garnered critical acclaim and popularity with their emotive style of singing and their strict adherence to classicism.

In Sept. 2006, Shashikiran and Ganesh performed a marathon 24 hours concerts - a stupendous task considering the fact that they did not take a single break during the entire 24 hours. The concert was dedicated to all those who lost their lives in various natural calamities and terrorist strikes and to mark the World Peace Day.

The brothers have been accompanied by senior stalwards like "Sangita Kalanidhis" Umayalpuram Sivaraman, T.K. Murthy, Vellore Ramabadran and others. They are the Asthana Vidwans of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Recipients of numerous awards and titles: 'Best Vocalist" from CMANA, USA (1998), Bharath Nirman Excellence Award for meritorious achievements in diverse fields, "Outstanding Young Indian" by Jaycees Special Millennium Honour Award, Music Adacemy's "Best Ragam Tanam Pallavi" Award 2004, "Isai Chudar" from Sri Ragam Fine Arts, Barath Kalachar's Yuva Kala Bharathi Award (2002) etc.

The First Ever Carnatic Movie - Margazhi Raagam

Courtesy: http://margazhiraagam.com/

Wow! That was my expression when I looked at this mind-blowing idea of a carnatic concert as a movie. Margazhi Raagam is a 110 minute movie, featuring the carnatic concert of T.M. Krishna and Bombay Jayashree. The teaser on the website says: Now, you won’t close your eyes to listen to music - you will open your eyes to a new musical experience! It is released very selectively I think. Cannot wait to get hold of the DVD!

A Memorable Concert by Hyderabad Brothers

The familiar voices of Sri D. Raghavachary and D. Seshachary filled me with a feeling of sanctity and holiness as I was listening to them at Ravindra Bharathi. The carnatic concert by the duo popularly known as Hyderabad Brothers was organized by SICA on 2nd January 2009 as part of their Golden Jubilee celebrations. While their concert included popular krithis like 'Tarunam Idamma' (Gowli Panthu), 'Bagayennayya' (Chandrajyothi), 'Ennadu Joothuno' (Kalavathi), they also presented rare numbers like 'Neekela Dayaradu' (Sarasangi) and 'Ethanai Sonnalum' (Saveri). The main piece of the evening was in Thodi with Shyama Sastry's 'Ninne Namminanu'. The rendition of the raga was elaborate with a perfect neraval and swaram. Another noteworthy presentation was Dikshitar's 'Parandhamavathi Jayati' in 'Dharmavathi'. The neraval 'Paramjyothi Vikasini Paramatma Prakashini' was executed excellently. The concert ended with Papanasam Sivan's 'Ennatavam Seydanai Yasoda' in 'Kapi' and 'Krishna Nee Begane Baaro' in 'Yamuna Kalyani'. The violin support by Surya Deepthi was melodious and his response to the vocals was commendable. Kaliprasad on mridangam and Shyamkumar on kanjira provided perfect percussion support that got reflected especially in the Taniavarthanam. Sri Seshachary was very active and enthusiastic throughout the concert cheering the accompanists with an occasional encouraging remark.

Photo Courtesy: The Hindu

You can listen to the recording of the concert by following the links below. The entire concert can also be downloaded from file1 and file2.
If there are any copyright issues for putting the MP3s for free download, please let me know. I will remove the access to files in that case. I am hoping that the MP3s downloaded from here are ONLY for personal use and will NOT be used for commercial purposes.

1. Valachi Vachchi - Navaragamalika Varnam - Adi - Patnam Subramanya Iyer (MP3, Lyrics)
2. Tarunam Idamma - Gowli Panthu - Adi - Shyama Shastri (MP3, Lyrics)
3. Sabapathikku Veru Devam Samanamaguma - Rupaka - Abhogi - Gopalakrishna Bharathi (MP3, Lyrics)
4. Bagayanayya Nee Maya Lentho - Adi - Chandrajyothi - Tyagaraja (MP3, Lyrics)
5. Nee Kela Dayaradu - Khanda Chapu - Sarasangi - Ramaswamy Sivan (MP3)
6. Ennadu Joothuno - Adi - Kalavathi - Tyagaraja (MP3, Lyrics)
7. Parandhamavathi Jayati - Rupaka - Dharmavathi - Muthuswami Dikshitar (MP3)
   Neraval & Swaras at "Paramjyothi Vikasini Paramatma Prakashini"
8. Ninne Nammi Nanu - Misra Chapu - Thodi - Shyama Shastri (MP3)
   Neraval & Swaras at "Kamakshi Kanjadalayatakshi"
   Thaniavartanam
9. Ethanai Sonnalum - Adi - Saveri - Vaidkeeswaram Koil Subbarayar (MP3)
10. Muttavaddu Ra Nannipudu (Javali) - Adi - Saveri - Chinniah (Tanjavur Quartette)* (MP3)
11. Ennatavam Seydanai Yasoda - Adi - Kapi - Papanasam Sivan (MP3, Lyrics)
12. Krishna Nee Begane Baaro - Chapu - Yamuna Kalyani - Vyasaraya (MP3, Lyrics)
    Bhavamana (Mangalam) - Adi - Sourashtra - Tyagaraja

* Courtesy : Meena (See comments)
Links: The review about the concert in 'The Hindu'.

Vinjamuri Memorial Concerts at Hyderabad

SICA, Hyderabad is organizing two day Vinjamuri Memorial Concerts at Hyderabad on 21s and 22nd October. On 21st October, it is carnatic vocal by Smt. R. Vedavalli and on 22nd October, carnatic vocal by Maharajapuram Srinivasan. The programs take place at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad and everyday it starts at 6:30 PM.
Vinjamuri Memorial Concerts are held every year in the honor of Dr. Vinjamuri Varadaja Iyengar (July 15, 1915 - August 16, 1991). He is a very renowned musican and composer. He has been awarded the titles Gana Kalanidhi, Gayaka Ratna, Sangeetha Jyothi, Sangeetha Ratnaakara, and Gana Vidya Visarada to mention a few. SICA, Hyderabad is organizing his memorial concerts to pay homage to him since 1992.

SICA, Hyderabad invitation gives the following excerpt about Dr. Vinjamuri:

Hailing from Guntur district in A.P. Sri Varadaraja Iyengar was a unique personality. He was a Musician, Musicologist and a composer. He belonged to the Sishyaparampara of Saint Thyagaraja.
His first Guru Sri Piratla Sankara Sastry belonged to Veena Kuppaier School, while his late Guru Sri Tiger Varadachary, belonged to Manambuchavadi Venkata Subramanya Iyer School. Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyenger imbibed the best of these traditions. He considered late Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar as another guru and in fact he was often called 'Kutti Ariyakkudi of A.P.'
Sri Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar was with AIR, Chennai and Hydeabad for a long time and was mainly instrumental in propagating Bhakthi Music over AIR.
Among the numerous awards received by him 'Ganakalanidhi' conferred on him in 1958 is the most prestigious one. He was closely associated with the South Indian Cultural Association (SICA), Hyderabad and was its Vice President for some time.
Even since his demise in 1991, SICA has been organising the 'Vinjamuri Memorial Concerts' every year as a tribute to and in memory of this great Musician, Musicologist and Composer, jointly with the Vinjamuri Trust.

Concert by Smt. Vasundhara Rajagopalan

Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha Swamy Seva Samathi, Hyderabad-Secunderabad organized a 5 day mega musical festival from 28th May to 1st June, 2008 at Keys Girls High School, Secunderabad. As a part of it, on 31st May 2008 carnatic vocal concert by Smt. Vasundhara Rajagopalan was organized. She was accompanied by Sri Dwaram Satyanarayana Rao on violin, Sri Nemani Somayajulu on ghatam, Sri K. Shyam Kumar on Kanjira and Sri Borra Sriram on Mridangam. I thoroughly enjoyed the concert which included the ragas Kambhoji, Vasanta Bhairavi, Kamala Manohari, Hamir Kalyani among others. Though I cannot comment on the technical aspect of the concert with my limited knowledge, I felt that the concert maintained a fine balance between the bhakthi and music.
The open air stage allowed us to enjoy the concert as the cool evening breeze added a soothing effect. Though it was partly cloudy when the concert started, it drizzled a bit only at the end of the concert. In fact, you can hear the drizzle in the background in the last but one MP3 when I was trying to run with my recorder as the rain started :).
File Photo - Courtesy: The Hindu I have recorded the concert and links to MP3 are given below. I am beginner and still learning elementary carnatic music. So please excuse me if there are any mistakes in identifying the raga or the tala or the composer. Please correct me if you find any mistakes.
Update 23rd June, 2008 - If there are any copyright issues for putting the MP3s for free download, please let me know. I will remove the access to files in that case. I am hoping that the MP3s downloaded from here are ONLY for personal use and will NOT be used for commercial purposes.
Update 29th October, 2008 - All the links are working fine.
You can download the entire concert in two zip files: file 1 and file 2.

1. Introduction (MP3)
2. Sarasija Nabha - Mayamalavagowla - Ata - Swathi Tirunal - Varnam (MP3)
3. Vishwak Senam Shreyamyaham - Kokila Priya Ragam (MP3)
4. Nee daya rada - Vasanta Bhairavi - Rupaka - Tyagaraja (MP3, Lyrics)
5. Tamil Krithi (MP3)
6. Sree RangaNathudein - Sourashtram - Rupaka - Ponniah Pillai (MP3, Lyrics)
7. Kanchadalayatakshi Kamakshi - Kamala Manohari - Adi - Mutthuswamy Dikshitar (MP3)
8. Venkata Saila Vihara - Hamir Kalyani - Adi - Subbaraya Sastri (MP3, Lyrics)
9. Antaryami Alasithi Solasithi - Kunthalavarali - Adi - Annamacharya (MP3)
10. Tamil Krithi written by Thirumangai Azhwar (MP3)
11. Maragatha Lingam - Vasantha - Muthuswamy Dikshitar (MP3)
12. Ragamalika, Thaniavarthanam (MP3)
13. Tamil Krithi (MP3)
14. Mangalam (MP3)

The Hindu gave the following review of the concert:
"Vasundhara Rajagopalan’s vocal concert ran as a routine exercise. Amiable in her manners and beautiful in structural form of music, she is an artiste of boundless curiosity, incessant diligence, of quick apprehension and tenacious memory, accurate without narrowness, and eager for novelty without inconstancy; her virtues and ability have raised her to distinction. She included in her concert ragas Mayamalavagowla, Sowrastra, Kamalamanohari, Kamboji, Vasantha and Dharmavathi, amongst which the RTP in Dharmavathi set to Khandajathi thriputa thalam displayed her scholarship."

An enthralling evening by Sanjay Subramanian

On 26th May, I attended a charming and captivating concert by Sri Sanjay Subramanian at Ravindra Bharathi which was organized by SICA, Hyderabad as a part of their foundation day celebrations. The carnatic vocal rendered by Sanjay enchanted the audience. It was a rare feat to see the audience glued to their seats for more than three hours till the last item 'mangalam'. The main item of the evening was in Thodi. The violin support was rendered by Sri M.R. Gopinath, Mridangam by Sri Neyveli B. Venkatesh and Ghatam by Sri Trichy Murali. It will be incomplete if I dont mention that the instrumental support elevated the ambiance of the evening.

File Photo. Courtesy: The Hindu
The details of the songs performed are below. I recorded the entire concert and the links to MP3s are also given. You can also download the entire concert in three zip files: file 1, file 2 and file 3.
If there are any copyright issues for putting the MP3s for free download, please let me know. I will remove the access to files in that case. I am hoping that the MP3s downloaded from here are ONLY for personal use and will NOT be used for commercial purposes.
[Update 29th October 2008: All the links work now.]

1. Nera Nammithi - Varnam (MP3)
   Ragam: Kanada. Talam: Ata. Composer: Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar
2. Bhavanutha Na Hridayamuna (MP3, Lyrics)
   Ragam: Mohana. Talam: Adi. Composer: Tyagaraja
3. Nannu Vidachi Kadalakuraa (MP3, Lyrics)
   Ragam: Reeti Gowla. Talam: Mishra Chapu. Composer: Tyagaraja
4. Shiva Chidambarame (MP3)
   Ragam: Nagaswarali. Talam: Adi. Composer: Muththuthandavar
5. Santana Gopala Krishnam - (MP3, Lyrics)
   Ragam: Khamas. Talam: Rupaka. Composer: Muthuswamy Dikshithar
6. Alapana: Todi
   Chesinadella Marachithivo (MP3-1, MP3-2 [Thaniavarthanam], Lyrics)
   Ragam: Thodi. Talam:Adi. Composer: Tyagaraja
   Neravel: 'Rama sree thyagaraja premavatara seeta'
   Swarakalpana: 'Bhama matalu telpu bheemanjaneyu brahma'
   Thaniavarthanam
7. RTP in Ragam Bhageswari (MP3)
   "Ka Va Va Vala Va Then Pazhani malai urayu Muruga"*
   Swarakalpana: Valaji and Varali
   Ka va va - Krithi
   Ragam: Varali. Talam: Adi. Composer: Papanasam Shivan
8. Virutham in Ragam Behag (MP3)
   Sri Madhava Vasudeva - Krithi
   Ragam: Behag. Talam: Adi. Composer: Papanasam Shivan
9. Haridasulu vedale (MP3)
   Ragam: Yamuna Kalyani. Talam: Adi. Composer: Tyagaraja.
10. Vetta veli tannai* (MP3, Lyrics**)
    Ragam: Jonpuri, Anandabharavi*. Talam:?. Composer:?.
11. Virutham in Ragas Surati,Bhimpalas (MP3)
    Maname kanamum (Lyrics)
    Ragam: Bhimpalas. Talam: Adi. Composer: Papanasam Shivan.
12. Bhavamana - Mangalam
    Ragam: Sourashtra. Talam: Adi. Composer: Tyagaraja.

* Hat Tip 1: Thanks to Revanth. I didn't know the lyrics of the tamil krithis.
** Hat Tip 2: Thanks to Lakshmanan for lyrics.

Qing Tian - Sunny Day

(Post from my previous blog. Originally posted on October 06, 2006)

Don't ask me how I accidentally stumbled into to a Taiwanese song by Jay Chou whose title was Qing Tian meaning sunny day or cloudless day. There was a website I visited and this song was playing in the background. After some googling, I got hold of the mp3. You can find it here - Qing Tian MP3 [Updated]. What is interesting about this song is that although I don't have a clue about the lyrics, I found the song is very melodious and soothing. It has been playing endlessly in my playlist from the last 3-4 days. Probably it is the music or the way the lyrics are sung. You should listen to the song and try following the lyrics below. Its very interesting.

Gu shi de xiao huang hua
Cong chu sheng na nian jiu piao zhe
Tong nian de dang qiu qian
Sui ji yi yi zhi huang dao xian zai

Ruay sou sou si dou si
La sou la si si si si la si la sou

Chui zhe qian zou wang zhe tian kong wo xiang qi hua ban shi zhe diao luo

* Wei ni qiao ke de na yi tian
Hua luo de na yi tian
Jiao shi de na yi jian
Wo zen me kan bu jian
Xiao shi de xia yu tian
Wo hao xiang zai lin yi bian
Mei xiang dao shi qu de yong qi wo hai liu zhe
Hao xiang zai wen yi bian
Ni hui deng dai hai shi li kai

# Gua feng zhe tian
Wo shi guo wo zhe ni shou
Dan pian pian
Yu jian jian
Da dao wo kan ni bu jian
Hai yao duo jiu
Wo cai neng zai ni shen bian
Deng dai fang qing de na tian
Ye xu wo hui bi jiao hao yi dian

Cong qian cong qian
You ge ren ai ni hen jiu
Dan pian pian
Feng jian jian
Ba ju li chui de hao yuan
Hao bu rong yi
You neng zai duo ai yi tian
Dan gu shi de zui hou ni hao xiang hai shi shuo liao bai bai
(Source)

I found the translation of the above lyrics here.

The small yellow flower of the story has been flowing since the year I was born
The swings of my childhood is still swinging inside my memory
(Singing along with the melody)
re so so si do si la so la si si si si la si la so
I’m blowing the prelude and watching the sky, I’m thinking of flower petals that try to fall.

* The day I wagged the class for you, the day the flower falls
That classroom of yours; how can I never see it?
The disappeared rainy days, I wish to get wet by the rain again
Every time I thought of the supposed to be lost courage are still there,
I really want to ask you again, will you stay or leave?

# The day the wind started blowing, I tried to hold your hand.
But, the rain gradually, has gotten so heavy that I can no longer see you.
How long will it be until I can be with you?
Waiting to the day the sun shines, maybe I will start to feel better.

Long long ago, there’s a person who have loved you for a long time.
But, however, the wind gradually, blew the distance so far apart
Finally I can love you for one more day
But at the end of the story, you seemed to still said (good bye)#
(Source)

I found something else also: it seems the word Qian Tian is a popular chinese metaphor to justice. That is because of a very popular ancient judge Bao Qingtian. The wiki page writes:

His name became synonymous with justice, with the clear blue sky (qing tian) became a popular metaphor to justice in the Chinese-speaking world.

If you have managed to read till here, thank you for reading this useless article! :)

I am going slightly mad!

(Post from my previous blog. Originally posted on September 29, 2006)

I was browsing the web and found a link to the video of "I am going slightly mad" by Queen.

The video is quite funny and humorous and is played by Freddie Mercury. But the wikepedia link on the song wrote that:

Although the song appears to be very humorous and light-hearted, many people believe the song has darker undertones and is inspired by AIDS-induced dementia and that it tells how he felt in his fight against the disease.

I found more facts about Freddie which I didn't know before. His parents were Indian Parsis. He attended his schooling in Mumbai. He is the first Indian and Persian rock star. He later moved to England and stayed there for the rest of his life. Guns and Roses singer Axl Rose was a devoted fan of Freddie and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana referred to Freddie in his suicide note.

Freddie died in November 1991 at the age of 45 due to bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS. There is a statue of him in Montreux, Switzerland and the British Government a stamp in his honor. Freddie is still popular in Britain it seems and he was ranked at No. 58 in the 2002 list of "100 Greatest Britons", sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public.