Music and Me » Dikshitar

Ramachandram – Vasantha

vidhya — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:34:06 +0000

A beautiful song that I loved from day 1. Melodious composition dedicated to lord Rama. The raagam is a very lively one……
one must listen to it to appreciate it… you can listen to Unn Krishnan at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvg1tFCZ7hM&feature=related

Song: Ramachandram bhavayami
Ragam: Vasantha
Aa: S M1 G3 M1 D2 N3 S
Av: S N3 D2 M1 G3 R1 S
Talam: roopakam
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar
Language: Sanskrit

pallavi

rAmacandram bhAvayAmi raghukulatilakam upEndram

anupallavi

bhUmijAnAyakam bhuktimuktidAyakam nAmakIrtanatArakam naravaram gatamAyikam

caraNam

sAkEtanagarE nivasantam sAmrAjyaprada hanumantam

rAkEnduvadanam bhagavantam ramaNIya kalyANa guNavantam

kAkustham dhImantam kamalAkSam shrImantam

nAgEshanutamanantam naraguruguha viharantam

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Pancha maatanga – malahari

vidhya — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:46:08 +0000

This was the first keerthanam that I learnt from my first teacher……nice easy song dedicated to lord vinayaka.

Song: Pancha maatanga
Raagam: malahari
Aa: S R1 M1 P D1 S
Av: S D1 P M1 G3 R1 S
Parent ragam: Mayamalavagowla (15th melakartha)
Talam: Rupakam
Language: Sanskrit
Composer: Dikshitar

Lyrics (from http://www.ecse.rpi.edu/Homepages/shivkuma/music/panchamatanga.htm)

Pallavi:

Pancha Matanga Mukha Ganapathinaa

Paripaalithoham Sumukhena Sri

Anupallavi:

Pancha Bhootaatmaka Prapanchoodayadi Karana

Virinchi Hari Rudra Nutena Pancha Vaktra Shiva Sutena

Charanam:

Varadaabhaya Paashasruni Kapaala Danta Modaka

Mudkaraaksha Maala Karena Kamalaapura Vihaarena

Puruhutaadyakhiladeva Poojitha Vigneshwarena

Varaguruguha Sodarena Suruchira Lambodharena

Karunaanga Kauratharena Kali Malaharana Tarena

Meaning: (From T.K. Govinda Rao’s book)

I am protected (“paripaalithoham”) by Sri Ganapathi, with Five (“pancha”) handsome elephant-faces (“maatanga mukha”).

Who is the cause (“karana”) of the universe (“prapancha”) co-existing of the five elements (“bhootatmaka”). Who is revered (“nutena”) by Brahma (“Virinchi”), Vishnu (“Hari”) and Siva (“Rudra”). Who is the son (“sutena”) of Parama Siva of five (“pancha”) faces (“vaktra”).

Whose hands (“karena”) hold the symbol of ABHAYA and VARADA: the rope (“Paasha”), a goad (“Sruni”) a pothead (“kapaala”), tusk (“danta”) a Modaka sweet dish, MUDGARA and Rudraksha Maala. Who is established (“vihaarena”) in Kamalaapura — Tiruvaarur. He is worshipped (“poojitha”) by all the celestials (“deva”) beginning with Indra (“puruhuta”). He is the remover of obstacles (“vigneshwara”) and the brother (“sodharena”) of Guruguha, the distinguished one. He is handsome (“suruchira”) with pot-belly (“Lambodhara”). Who is renowned (“kauratharena”) for his compassion (“karunaana”) and who removes (“harana”) the sins (“mala”) of Kali.

Notations:

Pallavi:

P ; D M ; P || D P M G R S || S D S ; ; rm ||

Pan cha Ma – tan - ga Mukha Gana pathi naa – Pari

P ; ; M mg R || S - s d , S , s r M ||

Paa – li tho– ham Sumu khe na- Sri

P dp m-pd s ; P || D P M G R S || S D S ; ; rm ||

Pancha - Ma – tan - ga Mukha Gana pathi naa – Pari

P ; ; M mg R || S - s d , S , s r M ||

Paa – li tho– ham Sumu khe na- Sri

P dp m-pd s ; P || D P ppmg R S || dd pm p d s-s r m p d ||

Pancha - Ma – tan - ga Mukha Gana pa thi naa- Pa- – ri – -

p m p d S -pd p-mg r || S - s d , S , s r M ||

Paa - li - tho– ham Sumu khe na- Sri

P dp pmgr ; rm || pd P dmP P ; ||

Pancha – - - - – Ma – - – - tan ga

Anupallavi:

M ; D P ; ; || dd pm ; pd S ; ||

Pan cha Bhoo – - taa — – - tma- ka -

M ; rm pm P ; || dd pm ; pd S ; ||

Pan cha Bhoo – - taa — – - tma- ka -

pdmp rm pm P ; || dd pm ; pd S ; ||

Pan cha Bhoo – - taa — – - tma- ka -

mgrs rm pm P ; || dd pm ; pd S ; ||

Pan cha Bhoo – - taa — – - tma- ka -

mgrs rm pm P ; || dd pm pd S ; S ||

Pan cha Bhoo – - taa — – tma-ka - Pra

S , r M – R ; S || P D S – P dm P ||

Pan- - choo – da ya - di Ka ra- na

mgrs rm Pdp M P || dd pm pd S ; S ||

Pan cha Bhoo – - taa — – tma-ka - Pra

S , r M – R ; S || P D S – P dm p – d ||

Pan- - choo – da ya - di Ka ra- na Vi

S r – g r S s p D p || P d- p , m g r s P m ||

rin chi Ha ri Ru dra Nu te na Pancha Vak tra Shiva Sutena

Charanam:

; rm P ; dm P || P ; M G R – S || R ; S – D ; S ||

Vara daa bha-ya Paa shasru ni Ka paa la Dan – ta

S , r mg R ; s p || mg R s r M ; P || ; dm P ; P ; ||

Mo- da- ka – Mudka raa– ksha- Maa – laa – Ka- re – na

; pd R ; R R || R R rm -R ; S ||

Kama laa – pu ra Vi haa – re – na

R , s ; pdpd pmM ; || rm P dm P ; P ||

Pu-ru – hu- - taa- – - dya- khi la- de – va

R M P M S R || S ; D S ; S ||

Poo- ji tha Vi- gne- shwa re – na
m p d p m g- R s D p || d r s r d s – D g R s ||

Vara guru guha So da rena Suruchira Lam- bo dha re na
r s D p- P m m R s || d s r m g r s – d P , m ||

Karunaa nga Kaura tha re na Kali Mala ha ra na Ta re na

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Kanjadalayadakshi – Kamalamanohari

vidhya — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:43:07 +0000

This is a beautiful song in praise of the Goddess Kamakshi. I also love it because of other reasons.
This was a song that I learnt in a jiffy. It so happened that my music teacher’s husband (who is a singer himself) was free one of the days when I went for the class. So he said he would take class for us that day. He started off with a new song wich was Kanjadalayadakshi. It was the first time in my life that I actually dint learn one line more than once and still caught up the complete song. I learnt the song in one class….and also learnt it well.
The raagam itself was also very appealing to me. So this song is special to me.

You can listen to Bombay Jayashree sing it at http://ww.smashits.com/music/carnatic/play/songs/7050/POPULAR-DEVI-KRITHIS/64540/KANCHADALAYADAKSHI.html

The ragam is the same as Shankaramabhirami (post can be read at http://allyouwannaknow.net/musicandme/2009/08/31/shankaram-abhirami-kamalamanohari/)

Song: Kanjadalayadakshi
Ragam: Kamalamanohari
Aa: S G3 M1 P N3 S
Av: S N3 D1 P M1 G3 S
Parent ragam: Sarasangi (27th melakartha)
Talam: Aadi
Language: Sanskrit
Composer: Muthswamy Dikshitar

Lyrics (from karnatik.com)

pallavi

kanjadaLAyatAkSi kAmAkSi kamalAmanOhari tripurasundari

anupallavi

kunjaragamanE maNimaNDita manjuLacaranE mAmavashiva panjarashuki paNkajamukhi guruguha ranjani duritabhanjani niranjani

caraNam

rAkA shashivadanE suradanE rakSitamadanE ratnasadanE shrIkAncana vasanE surasanE
shRNgArAshraya mandahasanE EkAnEkAkSari bhuvanEshvari EkAnandAmRtahari bhAsvari EkAgramanOlayakari shrIkari EkAmrEsha gRhEshvari shaNkari

MEANING:

O KAMAKSHI! One who has large eyes (“akshi”) like lotus (“kancha”) petals (“dalaya”), the dear one (“manohari”) to goddess LAKSHMI (“kamala”). You are the Tripura Sundari!

Her gait (“gamane”) is majestic like that of an elephant (“kuchera”) and her feet (“manjula charane”) are adorned (“manditha”) with gems (“mani”). She is the parrot (“sukhi”) held in the cage (“panchara”) of the form of SIVA. She is the lotus-eyed (“pankaja mukhi”) one, delights (“ranjani”) Guruguha and destroys (“bhanjani”) all afflictions (“duritha”). She is the spotless one (“Niranjani”).

Her face (“vadane”) is radiant like that of an autumnal (“raka”) full moon (“sashi”) and she has beautiful (“su”) teeth (“radhane”). The protector (“rakshita”) of Cupid (“Madane”). She presides over the gemset (“rathna”) palace (“sadane”), adorned in golden raiment. She speaks mellifluously and sports a gentle (“manda”) smile (“hasane”) full of love (“sringaaraashraya”). She is of the form of single (“eka”) as well as many (“aneka”) mystic syllables (“akshari”). The goddess of this world (“bhuvaneshwari”), the ever flowing (“eka”) stream of bliss (“ananda amrutha”), the lustrous one (“Bhaswari”), she attaches herself (“hari”) to those who worship her with steadfast devotion (“Ekaagra Manolaya”) . She is the bestower of prosperity (“srikari”) and illumines the abode (“gruheshwari”) of EKAMRANATHA. She is goddess SHANKARI

You can find the swaram notations at http://www.ecse.rpi.edu/Homepages/shivkuma/personal/music/kanchadalayatakshi.htm

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Vatapi ganapathim – Hamsadwani

vidhya — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:47:15 +0000

I cannot believe that i have not yet written a post on this song. All time favourite……has been in my mind since I was a kid…..
The ragam is also one that I love. It is the first ragam in which I learnt aalapanai…
I also learnt this song from 2 of my teachers….with a lot of sangathis…. I also tried some kalpana swaram in this ragam….
It is kind of a love at first sight for me:)

Song: vatapi ganapathim
Ragam: Hamsadwani
Talam: Aadhi
Aa: S R2 G3 P N3 S
Av: S N3 P G3 R2 S
Composer: Muttuswaamee Dikshitar
Language: Sanskrit
parent ragam: Dheera Shankarabharanam(29th melakartha)

Lyrics:

pallavi

vaataapi gaNapatim bajEham |
vaaraNaasyam varapradam shree ||

anupallavi

bootaadi sam sEvita caraNam |
boota bowdika prapanca baraNam ||
veetaraagiNam vinata yOginam (shree) |
vishva kaaraNam vigna vaaraNam ||
(vaathapi)

caraNam

praNava svaroopa vakratunDam |
nirandaram niDala candra kaNDam |
nija vaamakara vidrutEkshutanDam |
karaambuja paaSa beejaapooram |
kaloosha vidhooram bootaahaaram |
haraadi guruguha tOshita bimbam |
hamsadhwani booshita hErambam ||
(vaathapi)

You can list to M S sign this song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG1v8PccduI

Meaning

I sing in praise of the lord Ganapathi, who has the face of an elephant, and who fulfills everyone’s wishes. All the living beings worship his feet.
He is beyond the past, the future and the universe, comprising the five cosmic elements. He is devoid of passion, and is invoked by the yOgis
He is the cause of the creation of the world and he removes all obstacles.

He was worshiped by saint Agastya
He resides in the middle of the mystic triangle. He is prayed to by the prominent gods, vishnu and others. He resides in the cosmic circle. He represents the four forms of speech, beginning with parA. His trunk is curved in the form of the sacred syllable Om.
He is eternal, and his forehead bears the crescent moon. In his left hand he carries the stack of sugar cane. He also carries a noose and a pomegranate fruit in his lotus-like hand. He is of a gigantic form, and he is faultless. He is hEraMba, and his figure is adorned by hamsadhwani rAgam.

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Gopika Manoharam – Mohanam

vidhya — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:42:13 +0000

One of the first ragams that we learn when we start with varnams is Mohanam. a simple ragam…but beautiful one. This song is also a beautiful composition of Muthuswamy Dikshitar in Mohanam.

This is the last song I learnt from Mami…..one of my greatest gurus…the lady who actually taught me that what i was doing initially was not called singing

Strangely… I see that karnatik.com says it is a Janya ragam from Harikambhoji (28th melakartha). But I have always learnt that it is derived from Shankarabharanam.

Song: Gopika Manoharam
Ragam: Mohanam
Talam: Aadhi
Aa: S R2 G3 P D2 S
Av: S D2 P G3 R2 S

Lyrics

pallavi

Gopikaa manoharam bhajeham
govardhana giridharam suravaram muraharam

samashti CaraNam

Taapasa hridaya vesham ramesam
taapaarthihara vinutham natha chaturam
Gopaalam kousthubamani bhusham kamsa haram kaamithya mrithu bhaasham
aparaarjitham ananta vedagosham amaresanuta guruguha santosham

Meaning
Address to Lord Krishna
Beloved of Gopis, I pray to him( Lord Krishna). Lifted Govardhana mountain to protect gokulam. Bestower of boons to demigods and killer of demon Mura.

Pretends to be longing for Gopis. Lord of Sun. Adored by people who gave up material pleasures and people who are intelligent.

Protector of Gokulam. Wears necklace beheaded with Koustuba mani
( precious jewel stone). Killer of demon Kamsa. Has sweet spoken tongue. Giver of supreme wealth. Adored by all endless vedas. Prayed by Lord of demigods. Keeps Lord Shanmukha happy.
————————————————————-

Other songs in this ragam are Evarura,nammama Sharadhe,ninnukori(varnam), Maanika vinayendhum
Some movie songs in this ragam are ninnukori varnam from agninakshtram, paadum podhu naan from Sumathi yen Sundari

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Shankaram Abhirami – Kamalamanohari

vidhya — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:27:24 +0000

This is a beautiful song dedicated to abhirami. It is melodious…but peppy at the same time. I loved the chittaswaram that I learnt.

I learnt this as the Kamalamanohari ragam…..but I see that some of them say it is manohari ragam….
according to Karnatik.com these are two different ragams….derived from 2 different ragams.
I will put down what I have learnt and what I think is right….it is up to the reader’s discretion to take it.

Ragam: Kamalamanohari
Talam: Rupakam
Composer: Dikshitar
Aa: S G3 M1 P N3 S
Av: S N3 D1 P M1 G3 S
Parent Ragam: Sarasangi (27th melakartha)

Lyrics

Pallavi:
shankaram abhirAmI manOharam
shashidharam amrta ghaTEshvaram bhajEham
shankAbhiSEka gAtram saccidAnanda mAtram

Samashti Charanam:
pankajAsnAdi pUjitAbja padam
bhakta mArkaNDEy-AyuSpradam
bhayankara ghOra rUpadhara yama nigrahAnugraham
pankajamukha guruguha paripAlam krpAlavAlam

Chittaswaram:
S n d p P m g s G||, S g s m g p m d p n||
s G s n d p m p N d|| p m g s s G s g m p n||
s n d p g m n d p m g s||g n s g m p g m p n s g||
m G S n D P m g|| , S p n s g m p n s g||

you can listen to it online at http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/b4b2GYPye9.As1NMvHdW/?done_detect

Another beautiful songs in this ragam is Kanchadalayadhakshi…..another devi song…a composition of Dikshitar…will have a separate post for this song.
The ragam is really catchy… I am sure you will be attracted to it….try it!!

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Varadarajam Upasmahe – Saranga – Dikshitar

vidhya — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:56:51 +0000

Varadarajam upasmahe is another lively song that I have learnt….it is composed in a very lively ragam. It is a small song but a beautiful one

Ragam: Saranga
Talam: Rupakam
Composer: Muthuswamy Dikshitar
Language: Sanskrit
Parent ragam: mEca kalyaaNi (65^th melakartha)
Aa: S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S
Av: S N3 D2 P M2 R2 G3 M1 R2 S

Pallavi:

varadarAja mupAsmahE vanajAsanAdi pUjitam

Anupallavi:

muraLIdharam shObhAkaram murakharAdi duSTaharam

caraNam:

nIlamEgha jita sharIram niratishayAnandakaram

kAHncI nagara vihAram kALI rakSita cOram

madhyama kaalam:

kali dOSahara tIrtha prabhAva guruguhAdi natam

kapila shukAdi sannuta garuDavAhArOhitam

Mamava raghurama is anothef song in this ragam. I shall write a post on that too sometime. It is a beautiful ragam and I love it…

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Maha ganapathim – Nattai

vidhya — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:36:26 +0000

One of my favourite songs…Maha ganapathim.

The Shatshruthi rishbham was demonstrated to me by my teacher using this song. I will never forget it…

Ragam: Nattai
Talam: Aadhi
Parent Ragam: Chalanattai (36th melakartha)
Aa: S R3 G3 M1 P D3 N3 S
Av: S N3 P M1 R3 S
Composer: Muthuswamy Dikshitar
Language: Sanskrit

It is a beautiful song …and also a very simple song dedicated to Lord Ganesh

The song goes like this…(courtesy karnatik.com)

pallavi

mahaa gaNapatim manasaa smaraami |
mahaa gaNapatim
vasishTa vaama dEvAdi vandita ||
(mahaa)

charanam

mahaa dEva sutam guruguha nutam |
maara kOTi prakaasham shaantam ||
mahaa kaavya naaTakaadi priyam
mooshika vaahanaa mOdhaka priyam ||

p,pmgmrs | rsnspmgm | p,dnsrgm | mrsrsnpm ||
snpmgmnp | mrgmrrs, | r,ss,np, | mg,mnsgm (mahaa ganapatim)

Meaning:
I meditate on the supreme GaNapati who is worshipped by sages like VasishTha, vaamadEva and others.

He, the son of Lord MahaadEva, is adored by Guruguha and shines with the brilliance of crores of Cupids. He is the tranquil one and exults in the literary pieces like poems and dramas. He is fond of Modaka, a variety of sweet, and has a mouse for a mount.

The notes of this song are as follows (this is how it is sung in the sindhu bhairavi movie)

mahaa gaNapatim shree
m p m g m rs sm gm

mahaa gaNapatim manasaa smaraami
m p m g m rs s s s s smgm

mahaa gaNapatim manasaa smaraami
p Snp m g m rs sn.p.n.s gmp mr s

mahaa gaNapatim manasaa smaraami
gmpnSn pmg m rs srs np R Snpmgm

vasishTa vaama dEvAdi vandita
p S n p m r r s sn.s g

mahaa gaNapatim manasaa smaraami
gmpnSR Snpmgmrs srs np R Snpmgm

vasishTa vaama dEvAdi vandita
s s r s p gmp n Sn p m

mahaa gaNapatim
gmp m g m rs

Charanam:

mahaa dEva sutam guruguha nutam
p pSnp p S S S SRS SRSn pnS

mahaa dEva sutam guruguha nutam
Snpmgm p S S S SRS SRSn pnS

maara kOTi prakaasham shaantam
SG M R S p nSpm gm rs

maara kOTi prakaasham shaantam
SG M RMR RS p nSpm gm rs

mahaa kaavya naaTakaadi priyam
s p mgm p mg m r s s s

mooshika vaahanaa mOdhaka priyam
r s s S p m gmp m p p

(mahaa ganapatim)

more:
p,pmgmrs | rsnspmgm | p,dnsrgm | mrsrsnpm ||
snpmgmnp | mrgmrrs, | r,ss,np, | mg,mnsgm

(mahaa ganapatim)

Here we find the samashti charanam again…i.e there is no anupallavi.

A little about the ragam…

The natai ragam is very beautiful. You can the famous pancharatna krithi Jagadanandhakaraka in the same ragam.
Sarasiruhasana priye is another beautiful composition in this raagam

This ragam represents the Vira rasam. It is supposed to be very auspicious to start a concert with this ragam…..
Thats one reason why I like it too….It has got high energy filled in it….
Lovely ragam…..

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