Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

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Rajani
Posts: 1240
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 19:52

Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by Rajani »

Veenavaadhini Sampradaya Sangit Trust presents a Thematic Concert
By Sri Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Smt Jaysri Jeyaraaj Krishnan on the Veena
Mridangam - Mannarkoil Sri J Balaji
Theme - The Ramayana Through Dikshitar Kritis
Date and Time - Sunday 24 March 2013, 6 pm
Venue - Arkay Convention Centre, Luz, Mylapore, Chennai
Narration - Smt Rajani Arjun Shankar
All are welcome.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/VEENAVAA ... 01?fref=ts

rshankar
Posts: 13754
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by rshankar »

Best wishes to J&J...Those of you who can make should go.....and do not miss Rajani's narration!
And of course, a clip would be appreciated....

thanjavooran
Posts: 3038
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 04:44

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by thanjavooran »

A detailed report and review may be shared please. Best wishes to Jayasri , Jeyaraaj Krishan and Mannarkoi Balaji.
Thanjavooran
24 03 2013

Nick H
Posts: 9472
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 02:03

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by Nick H »

I should be enjoying it right now. Instead, I have waited all day for Airtel engineering to put my broadband right. Such a long time since I saw J&J too! Grr!

Looking forward to reports from luckier people :)

arasi
Posts: 16873
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by arasi »

Me too. And Nick, I didn't hear J&J at all this season :(

Rajani,
I'm sure it was a very good concert and the commentary was something to hear.
Please share at least a small segment of the concert (a bit of your commentary too) with permission from J & J.
mAmava paTTAbhirAmA was taken up for elaboration, was it?

Rajani
Posts: 1240
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 19:52

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by Rajani »

Arasi, Ravi and Nick. The concert went very well and here is a song and commentary from the concert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFg9wLAVeFI

(Elaboration was for Thodi, not Manirangu, and some other songs had swaras or alapana)

The list of Kritis is :
1. Ramachandram Bhavayami - Vasanta – Rupakam

The first song of the concert is Ramachandram Bhavayami , in which Dikshitar desribes Rama as Raghu-kula-Tilaka, the adornment of the Raghu family and a resident of Ayodhya which is also called as Saketa.

2. Kodandaramam - Kokilarava Adi

One of the more moving incidents of Bala Kandam is about Ahalya, the lovely wife of Gautama Rishi, regaining her human form and being absolved of all sins, through contact with the dust of Rama’s feet. In the Kriti “Kodandaramam – Kokilarava“ , Dikshitar refers to this event.

3. Sriramachandro - Sriranjani – Mishra Chapu

Some salient events in the Balakandam are Rama’s sojourn with Viswamitra, killing Tataka and Subahu, breaking the bow of Shiva and Sita Kalyanam. The Kandam concludes with Parashurama’s pride being subdued by Rama. In the Krti “Sriramachandro – Sriranjani” Dikshitar touches upon these incidents of the Balakandam in the same order.

4. Rama Rama - Ramakali – Rupakam

In the tradition of poets whose works are “Mangalaadeeni, mangalamadhyani, mangalantani” the Balakandam of Valmiki ends with describing the growing mutual love of Sita and Rama in the years following their wedding and Ayodhya Kandam begins by describing the endearing, delightful qualities of Rama like - his valour, magnanimity, righteousness, accessibility, humility, proficiency in the arts, wisdom, eloquence etc . Dikshitar echoes the same two aspects in the kriti “Rama Rama” in Ramakali and also hints that reflecting on these virtues eliminates the sins of Kaliyuga.


5. Ramachandraadanyam - Dhanyasi – Khanda Ekam

In his Kriti in Dhanyasi, “Ramachandraadanyam”, Dikshitar lists some of the Rakshsas who met their end at Rama’s hands.

6. Ramachandrasya - Dhamavati – Adi

Shabari Moksham is an important incident in Aranya Kandam. In the Kriti “Ramachandrasya” in Dhamavati, Dikshitar mentions the pious Shabari, who attained salvation after meeting Rama.

7. Ramachandraya - Todi – Mishra Chapu

In his majestic Kriti in Todi Ragam, Dikshitar declares that Rama was “Kapi-Brndadi Manohara” the one who captivated the hearts of the Vanara multitudes, such that they served him, not because their king had ordered them to, but because Rama had charmed them with his noble qualities.

Kishkindha Kandam is at the centre of the Ramayana. So it is fit that this Kriti looks back at events of the Balakanda, as well as forward to the death of Ravana and the refuge given of Vibhishana


8. Ramachandrena - Manji – Rupakam

In this Kriti in Raga Manji, Dikshitar describes Rama as one who is praised by ambrosial music of Maruti ie Hanuman. This music was Amrita in all senses, as it saved the life of Sita and thereby of Rama.

9. Kshitija ramanam - Devagandhari – Adi

In his Kriti in Devagandhari, Dikshitar praises the prowess of Rama’s arms which is extolled by brave warriors, and describes Vibhishana and other kings worshipping Rama.


10. Sriramam - Narayanagaula – Adi

The Kriti “Sriramam” in Narayanagaula is composed in Tirupullani, the Kshetra where Rama lay on a bed of darbha grass, for three days and three nights, seeking the help of the god of the seas to cross the sea. This fact is mentioned in the Kriti.

11. Rame Bharata - Jyoti – Khanda Chapu

In the Kriti “Rame Bharata palita rajyam”, Dikshitar says he offers the kingdom which was so far protected by Bharata to Rama. Scholars have interpreted this to mean the Bhakti-Samrajyam, the kingdom of devotion. In other words, offering one’s heart to Rama. This thought is echoed by the great Jnani Sadashiva Brahmendra in his Kriti “Khelati mama hrdaye Sri Ramah” where he says “
Moha …” ie the ocean Rama crossed is Moha/delusion, the Asuras he killed are Raga and Dvesha, Sita is Shanti or tranquillity he attained, and the Ayodhya he rules is Dahara, the heart.


12. Mamava Pattabhirama - Manirangu – Mishra Chaapu

The concluding Kriti of the concert - “Mamava Pattabhirama” in Manirangu, presents a detailed description of Rama’s coronation.

This kriti was composed by Dikshitar in the presence of Tyagaraja. When Dikshitar visited Tiruvaiyaru, Tyagaraja invited him home and that day being the day he, Tyagaraja, was reading the Rama Pattabhisheka Sarga from the Valmiki Ramayanam, Dikshitar composed this Kriti.
Last edited by Rajani on 26 Mar 2013, 21:11, edited 2 times in total.

rshankar
Posts: 13754
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by rshankar »

Rajani - thank you for providing your script. ...
Sounds like a great concert. I will listen to the clip when I get a few minutes!

Rajani
Posts: 1240
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 19:52

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by Rajani »

Ravi - this isn't the script, but an extract.

arasi
Posts: 16873
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by arasi »

Thank you, Rajani!
Good job, your narration which preceded the music.

rAmE bharata in Jyothi (was a new rAgA for me). Lovely playing by J&J.

I realized that I could hear a few other songs by clicking on the panels on the side, I also listened to mAmava pattAbhirAma and the svara prasthAra for tODi.

Was good to hear (see) Balaji as well.
I'm happy I could listen to J&J this evening, though not in person when I was in Chennai.

CRama
Posts: 2939
Joined: 18 Nov 2009, 16:58

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by CRama »

Thank you Rajani for posting a detailed and meticulous report of the concert.. From the list, It appears to be a great concert. Your report gave me an insight into the meaning of these songs. I regret for not attending this concert.

thanjavooran
Posts: 3038
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 04:44

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by thanjavooran »

Many thanx for the excellent coverage. BTW Was there any slot for Thani?
Thanjavooran
27 03 2013

Rajani
Posts: 1240
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 19:52

Re: Veenavaadhini's Thematic Concert

Post by Rajani »

Thanks, Arasi and Crama sir.
Yes, of course, Sri Balaji played a wonderful Thani in the Thodi piece.

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