Tribute to THE ONE!

Another morning filled with music- thank you AIR!

Tuned in right on time to hear the announcement that next one hour I could drown myself in the divine music of MS. I was reminded again of the depth of her knowledge and her intuitive ability to bring out the beauty of the raga in the first humming of the raga itself. Thodi varnam set the pace and mood of the programme – simple yet subtle, brief yet profound! Who am i to review her music! I just melted and was able to feel the presence of Rama (Nagumomu) or Thriloka janani(Janani ninuvina)enjoying MS amma’s music.

Each piece was a complete unit – bringing out the emotion of the composer and outlining the beauty of the raga like a pencil sketch in her divine voice.

Sambandhar’s Thevaram –“ Siraiyaarum madakkiliyae” was the concluding piece which she sang int he way Othuvar would sing in suddha saveri. It is part of first thirumurai and Sambandhar would have assumed the role of a thalaivi  longing to hear eesan naamam.(A rare pattern for sambandhar) A beautiful poem!  

சிறையாரு மடக்கிளியே யிங்கேவா தேனொடுபால்

முறையாலே யுணத்தருவன் மொய்பவளத் தொடுதரளந்
துறையாருங் கடற்றோணி புரத்தீசன் றுளங்குமிளம்
பிறையாளன் திருநாமம் எனக்கொருகாற் பேசாயே.

I went into that calm silent space within myself for quite some time. The winter morning with a bite to the air added o the effect!

Yet another morning –filled with music, thanks to AIR!

Two days ago, 9.45 am it was announced that the next day’s programme will belong to Gayathri Venkatraghavan. I couldn’t help that jump my stomach did for I really love her voice. Some people feel she has a limited repertoire. Perhaps she has. Depending on the occasion and the audience, she may choose certain krithis often. I am not complaining. She brings out the ‘Raagabhava’ so beautifully and the composer’s attitude and emotions remain intact i her singing.

I felt she was going to give a ‘Thamizhisai’ concert and there she was – singing Thamizh lyrics.

The concert began with a brief but well etched Krithi in Sowrashtram – “ Charanam endru sonnaanae” by Arunachala Kavi. The lyric was simple and set in a conversational mode where Rama argues his case for giving asylum to Vibheeshana. Close your eyes and you may see Rama convincing sugreeva and that is the beauty of Gayathri’s singing! The brigas and swaras in”Guha saravanabhava sivabala (சிம்மேந்திர மத்தியமம்)  were in a class of their own. The best as far as I am concerned was Thiruvempavai – “Aartha piravi thuyar keda”(ஆர்த்த பிறவித் துயர் கெட) in Sankarabharanam. I closed my eyes - all chains binding me snapped open! The unending beautiful blue sky with all kinds of birds soaring high and the gurgling crystal clear water soothingly cool on my feet and the gentle breeze bringing earthy green smell – I could for a brief moment merge with everything around me. The power of the words was such that I was pulled into the endless joyful dance of ‘சிற்றம்பலத்தே தீயாடும் கூத்தன்'. 

The concert came to an end with வடவரையை மத்தாக்கி (சிலப்பதிகாரம்). Again I was stunned by the magic of the right words making up that great classic creation.

The usual chores –smoothly flowed one into another and time stood still. One hour of true bliss!

Chitra Nagesh's Random Thoughts: Music - the air I breathe!

Chitra Nagesh's Random Thoughts: Music - the air I breathe!

Music - the air I breathe!

Thanks to AIR yet again for providing my daily dose of music (though  the one hour is not enough). Paying tribute to kunnakudi Vaidyanathan or Dwaram Venkatasamy Naidu or any other artist for that matter on their birthdays or otherwise is so meticulously done by AIR. I get to listen to some classic pieces and that makes my day beautiful!
This way, Venkatasamy Naidu's Kedaragowlai and Mayamalava Gowlai (from AIR archives -1969), U Srinivas's Gangeyabhusani and O.. Rngasayee brought such peace and joy that is immeasurable!
Some days, the music is like a healing balm, soothing me. Palghat Ramprasad's music did that, the other day! He sketched such a beautiful outline of Lathangi and followed it with the song 'Sri Jagadambikaiye'. The niraval with "பாரினில் பொருளும் போகமும் பந்தமும் சாஸ்வதமோ" pulled at the core of my emotions. All the cooking tasks just merged with the music and I was just floating with the music. Even if I can't carry the revelations through that single day, the inner peace and harmony with all around me stayed with me for few minutes.

Learning with my granddaughter -2

Learning continues!
This time with her prescription for backache.
I was doing my daily yoga when she entered the house. (was to spend the day with me!). She in a matter of fact manner told me that I could complete my session and make breakfast for her.
She came into the room and observed my yoga and added her comments and demonstrated to me that she can do that exercise(asana). During the break, she also demonstrated her love by hugging and giving a kiss.
I just observed that since morning I have an annoying backache. She was looking on and just in a very adult tone with lot of concern said," I know what you should do and let me show you!"
I stopped my exercise and turned to see her bending on her knees and going back to Vajrasana position. I told her that I would finish my regular ones and she could show me. She agreed and waited patiently for me to finish my exercise. She was looking into some books with such rapt attention till the end.
I then asked her, " would you show me now?" (It is such an uplifting experience to surrender and learn at the feet of young ones!)
She lovingly showed me and supervised my posture as well. And with right amount of love combined with firmness said, "Two times is enough".
Weather it is her conviction and my belief or the routine movements - the back pain slowly receded and disappeared!
What never ceases to surprise me and move me is her attitude - the blend of innocence and a little maturity in her tone and voice. 

A learning experience with my grand daughter

Every moment spent with my granddaughter these days is like being born again or like some miracle!

She pesters me for stories either with some comic strip or from my own existing fund. The other day it was Buddha's life story as narrated in Ramakrishna Vijayam.

This is a test - how I can tell Buddha's question about life, why people are miserable and how to attain happiness to a five year old! I try to put myself in her place - she is not your normal five year old - and find words to explain! (I can see rolling of eyes, and hear the whisper - "every grandma thinks of her grand kid like that!" ). You can judge yourself after I convey her responses!

I told her - Buddha wanted to remove the sadness of everyone and he found the way. Do you know what is desire (Aasai)? she nodded her read and when I started giving some example she helped me with her own examples;

GD: Like I want the Car toy that Kabir has, right?

Me: Yes, Buddha said that we should not have desire. But can we stop our 'Aasai'? She with her eyes going round and inwards into her thinking world nodded 'no'. Then I said, Buddha advised us to have good thoughts, good words, deeds and so on.

Something urged me to further explain this - Can we simply say, don't be angry'?
GD: No.
Me: Instead, we can try to think of good things, have good thoughts, images in our mind. For good thought, I said ' (நல்ல யோசனை) Nalla yochanai' in Tamil. A bulb went off in her face!
GD: M... I too get nalla yochanai like I should not eat dhusi (dust). Nalla yochanai is like Amma telling me me things - 'sleep early so that you can become strong'. Pch... but the other bad thought also creeps in telling me,"Eat dust, nothing will happen". I feel, 'Ayyo, why this thought comes again and again!
I'm left speechless!
Of course, added finishing touches to the story, but it left me wondering what deep perception she has and what kind of thoughts keep churning in that small mind!