Had a good break last weekend.
Took up Shri Raga varnam today. It is one of my favorite varnams. It was taught to me by RK Shriramkumar. In the Asampoorna Mela Paddhati, Shri Ragam is a RagAnga rAgam. The equivalent sampoorna mela is Karaharapriya. The rAgam is so elegant and beautiful. Mutthuswami Dikshitar has composed a number of songs in Shri - Shri Kamalambike, Shri Abhayamba, Shri Varalakshmi to name a few. Of course, Tyagaraja's Endaro Mahanubhavulu is a gem in its own right. The varnam itself is elaborate with 5 Chitta Swarams, instead of the usual 4. The 4th Chitta Swaram, "N,PMRGRS" extracts every exquisite ounce of nectar from the raga and presents it to the listener/singer. Karur Devudu Iyer has created a masterpiece. The Anupallavi line, Bhoomi Velayu is alone enough to provide directions to anyone who wants to know what Shri Ragam is like.
The second song I attempted to teach was Kamakshi Shri Varalakshmi in Bilahari. I say attempted because I think I failed to anticipate how complex Bilahari and its gamakams could be for beginners and intermediate vocalists. Should have waited on this one instead of jumping in. I got a bit carried away with the flow of knowledge the week before and thought we could scale this song but didn't get beyond the 3rd Sangathi in the Pallavi. Have to choose wisely next time around :-)
Took up Shri Raga varnam today. It is one of my favorite varnams. It was taught to me by RK Shriramkumar. In the Asampoorna Mela Paddhati, Shri Ragam is a RagAnga rAgam. The equivalent sampoorna mela is Karaharapriya. The rAgam is so elegant and beautiful. Mutthuswami Dikshitar has composed a number of songs in Shri - Shri Kamalambike, Shri Abhayamba, Shri Varalakshmi to name a few. Of course, Tyagaraja's Endaro Mahanubhavulu is a gem in its own right. The varnam itself is elaborate with 5 Chitta Swarams, instead of the usual 4. The 4th Chitta Swaram, "N,PMRGRS" extracts every exquisite ounce of nectar from the raga and presents it to the listener/singer. Karur Devudu Iyer has created a masterpiece. The Anupallavi line, Bhoomi Velayu is alone enough to provide directions to anyone who wants to know what Shri Ragam is like.
The second song I attempted to teach was Kamakshi Shri Varalakshmi in Bilahari. I say attempted because I think I failed to anticipate how complex Bilahari and its gamakams could be for beginners and intermediate vocalists. Should have waited on this one instead of jumping in. I got a bit carried away with the flow of knowledge the week before and thought we could scale this song but didn't get beyond the 3rd Sangathi in the Pallavi. Have to choose wisely next time around :-)