Music

One of the simplest ways to identify and appreciate a classical raga is by listening to multiple songs in the raga by different artistes. Raga Darbari Kanada is an offshoot of the Kanada family (Carnatic). It is believed to have been imported from the Carnatic genre into the Hindustani style of music by legendary musician Tansen. The raga creates a deep emotional impact on the soul and is often taught to students at a later stage in their training. This raga is presented in the latter half of Carnatic concerts through light classical pieces. Hindustani musicians sing this raga late…

One of the simplest ways to identify and appreciate a classical raga is by listening to multiple songs in the raga by different artistes. Raga Darbari Kanada is an offshoot of the Kanada family (Carnatic). It is believed to have been imported from the Carnatic genre into the Hindustani style of music by legendary musician Tansen. The raga creates a deep emotional impact on the soul and is often taught to students at a later stage in their training. This raga is presented in the latter half of Carnatic concerts through light classical pieces. Hindustani musicians sing this raga late…

BB King, one of the legendary musicians of the Blues passed away yesterday. Why was he so popular? When his voice carressed and moaned on the microphone, you alternatively rejoiced and cried - the highs and the lows made you feel like you were swinging on a pendulum. The lyrics of the song were not just mere words but much more than that. BB King took you on a journey where you lost track of time and who you were. You felt bogged down by the problems of the world and felt the loss of a loved one. Here's a…

BB King, one of the legendary musicians of the Blues passed away yesterday. Why was he so popular? When his voice carressed and moaned on the microphone, you alternatively rejoiced and cried - the highs and the lows made you feel like you were swinging on a pendulum. The lyrics of the song were not just mere words but much more than that. BB King took you on a journey where you lost track of time and who you were. You felt bogged down by the problems of the world and felt the loss of a loved one. Here's a…

One talks about Yashodha and her famous son Krishna in the same breadth. The stories that describe the relationship and interplay between this mother and son are well-known. There are several songs in different languages by famous composers centered around this theme that I had a hard time picking out a few.  In the Kannada song Jagadhodharana, a composition of Purandaradasa in raga Hindustani Kapi, Yashodha only sees Krishna as her son - the same son who is a saviour of the world, a slayer of demons, a gem among children and much more. But to his mother, Krishna is…

One talks about Yashodha and her famous son Krishna in the same breadth. The stories that describe the relationship and interplay between this mother and son are well-known. There are several songs in different languages by famous composers centered around this theme that I had a hard time picking out a few.  In the Kannada song Jagadhodharana, a composition of Purandaradasa in raga Hindustani Kapi, Yashodha only sees Krishna as her son - the same son who is a saviour of the world, a slayer of demons, a gem among children and much more. But to his mother, Krishna is…

With Mother's Day coming up this week, I thought of several songs that featured the mother as a central theme.  In his composition Mathe Malayathwaja in the Carnatic raga Khamas, Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar describes the daughter of the Pandya king - Meenakshi of Madurai. This "dharu varnam" is a unique piece as every chittaswara following the charanam (latter half of the varnam) has a sahitya and a sollakattu. It is heard in classical concerts as well as Bharatanatyam programs. Here is a rendition of this varnam by M.S.Subbalakshmi, In his song Amma Ravamma in raga Kalyani, Tyagaraja praises the Tulasi…

With Mother's Day coming up this week, I thought of several songs that featured the mother as a central theme.  In his composition Mathe Malayathwaja in the Carnatic raga Khamas, Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar describes the daughter of the Pandya king - Meenakshi of Madurai. This "dharu varnam" is a unique piece as every chittaswara following the charanam (latter half of the varnam) has a sahitya and a sollakattu. It is heard in classical concerts as well as Bharatanatyam programs. Here is a rendition of this varnam by M.S.Subbalakshmi, In his song Amma Ravamma in raga Kalyani, Tyagaraja praises the Tulasi…

As the month of March rolls on, thousands of children across the country write the 10th and 12th board examinations. Its a time fraught with tension for students and their families. Music is known to be a great stress-buster. Here's a list of musical pieces that can help alleviete stress and keep the mind calm. Shanthamu Lekha  This composition by Carnatic composer Tyagaraja is in raga Sama which is meditative in nature.  Strings of Mohan Veena Nature has a calming effect on the human mind. Listen to how Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhat soothes the soul with the strings of his instrument in…

As the month of March rolls on, thousands of children across the country write the 10th and 12th board examinations. Its a time fraught with tension for students and their families. Music is known to be a great stress-buster. Here's a list of musical pieces that can help alleviete stress and keep the mind calm. Shanthamu Lekha  This composition by Carnatic composer Tyagaraja is in raga Sama which is meditative in nature.  Strings of Mohan Veena Nature has a calming effect on the human mind. Listen to how Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhat soothes the soul with the strings of his instrument in…