Listen to Lucky

The first time, if at all I do remember, I heard this Raaga in Trichy when a girl played a beautifully krithi on her veena in one of the competitions and I came to know from her that that was of a Raaga Kuntalavarali. That was my first crush for Kuntalavarali....probably like many a love story ours ended there without much fanfare. Last evening I was listening to Ganesha Pancharatnam by MS Amma and the fourth stanza of the song rang bells to me again after so many years. Its the same Kuntalavarali which I missed for so many years...listen to the 4th stanza of this song, you would love the raaga (for people who can't appreciate the beauty just listen to the tune...its an absolute gem of a rendition)... watch out for these lyrics: Akimchanaarti Marjanam Chirantanokti Bhaajanam Puraari Poorva Nandanam Suraari Garva Charvanam Prapancha Naasha Bheeshanam Dhananjayaadi Bhushanam Kapola Daana Vaaranam Bhajaey Puraana Vaaranam. This video has lots of Ganesha Idols (which I adore and the be...

“The aim and final reason of all music should be nothing but the glory of God and the refreshment of spirit.” - i often wondered this quote by JS Bach - whether he referred to our carnatic music. I was listening to Dwijavanti (the raaga) in different forms and i was fascinated finally to conclude by a famous lyric "Kanneer Thuligal Thaan Kalaigalin Vegumanam". Though Rishivani's janyaraaga - "Kiravani" is my all-time favourite among the raagas, Dwijavanti is slowly catching up with kadhanakudhuhalam and kaapinarayani. The best part of this raaga,it sets up the melancholy mood for the song. For few friends of mine, who cannot unerstand what a raaga is ? - It is basically a scale of notes but it has to to be sung with the proper bhava /moods to induce the listener. I still remember, i was hooked for the first time when i listened to "Chetasri Balakrishnam" composed on Dwijavanti by our well know Madurai Mani Mama. Incidentally Dwijavanti is very much lik...