Susheela Raman

Judson · Post by **Judson** » 30 Mar 2009, 07:22

Hello, this is my first post. I am an australian university student, and I have discovered carnatic music by way of Ms. Susheela Raman, from england. She sings a blend of old carnatic songs with some western treatments, so it is not pure carnatic music. Nevertheless, her singing is outstanding. My question is:
Ms. Raman sings a song which she calls 'Ganapati', and claims that it is written by Dikshitar, who I have been doing some research on. I am trying to find Dikshitars origianl words, to compare, becasue Raman claims that she uses the same words. Having been through the internet, I am unable to find the matching lyrics, and now i have also learnt that Dikshitar has composed some 30 or so songs called Ganapte, or similar. Is it possible for somebody to possibly locate the original lyrics, with an english translation as well for me? I will include here Ramans english translation as well as her lyrics of 'Ganapati' by Dikshitar. Thank you.

Judson · Post by **Judson** » 30 Mar 2009, 07:24

Here are the above said lyrics!

(english)

I meditate on Ganapati
Worshipped by the great sages
Vasishta and Vamadeva
Son of Shiva, adored by his brother Guruguha
Shining with the brilliance of ten million Love Gods
He is tranquil, relishing the work of poets and dramatists
Eating coconut sweets and riding his Mouse

[Sanskrit]

Mahaganapatim Manasasmarami
Vasishta
Vamadeva Vandita
Mahadevesutam
Guruguhanutam
Marakoti Prakasam
Santam
Mahakavya Natakadi Priyam
Mooshika Vahana Modaka Priyam

Thank you

vainika · Post by **vainika** » 30 Mar 2009, 08:00

Judson, the lyrics and translation of this composition are mostly correct, as may be verified by looking at any of the texts of the composer's works. Online, see http://guruguha.org/wiki/mahaganapatim.html or http://www.medieval.org/music/world/car ... hitar.html

'vamadeva vandita' should have been 'vamadevaadi vanditam'.

The terms pallavi, madhyama kAla sAhityam, and samashTi caraNam refer to the specific sections of the song.

If Susheela Raman had titled her piece 'maha ganapatim' your internet search may have been more successful.