gambheeravANi

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SrinathK
Posts: 2477
Joined: 13 Jan 2013, 16:10

gambheeravANi

Post by SrinathK »

Another gambheera rAgam. But any hopes of big fame quickly fade once you realize this is a rare rAgA, one of those Thyagaraja one rAgA one kriti specials with only one other composition in it. But it is special, and a tricky one to figure out. Based on my listening, this is the most likely ascending and descending scale.

Aro : S G3 (M1) P M1 P D3 N3 S
Avaro : S (N3) D3 P M1 G3 R2 G3 R2 S

The rAgA looks scalar, with a vakra scale in the arOhanam, although the way some people sing it, there is a very brief hint of an M1 in SGP - almost like SG(M)P - but it is not as scalar as it seems. Not even remotely.

In fact, it is so non-linear it will make your head spin. Starting with the SGPGM phrase. Then there is also a RGR-PMP phrase that's not obvious, but you will hear it in some versions. There is also a SGRG phrase - and SGRG,R-SRS is also possible. Also MGRS can be sung directly with other combinations like MGGRRS also possible. A SGMGR and SGMR are also possible. The Lalgudi school avoids the PMP phrase.

And PDNS is very much possible (sometimes with a slide from D3) and it is used in the anupallavi and 2nd part of the charanam of Thyagaraja's kriti.

The handling of N3D3 in phrases like NDN is a bit unique, it gives off a bit of janasanmOdini flavor. Apart from SND, SNSD is also possible. But most commonly, SD is hit directly in SD-N (that's where the janasanmOdini effect comes from). At other times the D3 and N3 combination give off a tilAng like feel. There is also a DMP phrase. And a MPD-MPG. And sometimes the vakra phrases make it sound like nalinakAnti also.

So Thyagaraja's sole kriti - sadAmatim dalatu gadarA - with a peppy AlApana : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LQGIBJHwzk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZkhcyhfDUU - Priya Sisters

http://www.sangeethamshare.org/tvg/UPLO ... agam_24x7/ - The Lalgudi version (it's a special rAgam for them). - Note the PDNS I was talking about earlier

The other number is a tillAnA by TK Govinda Rao : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qoqPWWmz4U - By Sanjay
TKG has skipped the D3 in the ArOhanam and prefers a SGMR phrase. Even a MPD phrase appears in it.

Well here's TKG singing it himself : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkWZQNZ1jx4

Here's a clearer recording by a very young Bombay Sisters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJlFR39HPLI

I wonder how a rAgA like this escaped the musical texts of those times, the closest we get in SSP for e.g. is the 30th AsampUrna mElA nAgAbharaNam, that also has quite a bit of non-linearity in it. But that's it. This rAgA is quite unique.

All this makes me wonder if gambheeravANi hasn't changed some of its character since Thyagaraja, and tried to eliminate some of its vivAdi, but it does look like a proper old school rAgA at the end of the day, one that will totally make you dizzy.

She will make a good partner and foil to gambheera nATa, completely opposite character! appiDiyE nEru mAru! :lol:
Last edited by SrinathK on 12 Aug 2019, 09:24, edited 2 times in total.

Lakshman
Posts: 14019
Joined: 10 Feb 2010, 18:52

Re: gambheeravANi

Post by Lakshman »

Besides the two compositions stated above,, there is one by K.Ramaraj and another by Chitravina Ravikiran in this raga.

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