Do you Love Carnatic Music?

[ShivaFan]

To me, bhajans are the most powerful method of direct spiritual electricity (sorry for using a term so part of the modern era, but... When you are in room with others during a "for real" bhajan, it's electric in feeling!) ...

But when I listen to other forms of musical sound, and I am very picky about such things and VERY selective) I really, really like Carnatic / Karnatic music, especially instrumental with violin and tabla.

There is just something powerful and transforming about Carnatic music.

It takes me into a very meditative WHILE AT THE SAMETIME ALIVE WITH MY Surroundings (does that make sense? - but I go into both a meditative state and a totally alive in the world state at the same moment) ...

There is something special about it. Do others also enjoy this music?

[Mana]

हरिः ओम्


Namaste ShivaFan,


I love music and am particularly drawn to the sitar, please tell me more of Karnatic music. I am ignorant of the Indian musical
system, yet feel very drawn to it; I actually find the Western "major tempered scale", to ring false to my ears. I struggle a little
with my guitar because of this.

Maybe you would be so kind as to post some of your favourites; and maybe explain a little of that which you know of this beautiful
tradition?


praṇāma

mana


ॐ नमः शिवाय
Aum Namaḥ Śivāya

[wundermonk]

A lover here. :)

Endaromahanubhavulu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YNQzYn5uZk) - one of the finest compositions of Thyagarajar.

Dudukugala Nanne Dora (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obIBQQjuIQs) - another of the "Pancharatna" Keerthanais

Marugelara (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-UyoqBf7EI) - sung by stalwart Maharajapuram Santhanam

Bantureethi Kolu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sduyu2igEag)

Thyagarja Yoga Vaibhavam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXFaO67YUzk) - by John Higgins, an early American Carnatic Music lover whose life was tragically ended in his 40s.

Govardhana Giridhara (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3Oo5eiqXto)

Unbeatable Bhakti Tradition.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: A lot of communities in the west, like the one here, celebrate Thyagaraja by a long day of carnatic music. Although I love the sound, I found my ability to sit and listen was nowhere close to the Indian audience. After about 3 hours I found it tedious, whereas my friends were just getting started. :)

Aum Namasivaya

[philosoraptor]

A lover here. :)

Endaromahanubhavulu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YNQzYn5uZk) - one of the finest compositions of Thyagarajar.

Dudukugala Nanne Dora (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obIBQQjuIQs) - another of the "Pancharatna" Keerthanais

Marugelara (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-UyoqBf7EI) - sung by stalwart Maharajapuram Santhanam

Bantureethi Kolu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sduyu2igEag)

Thyagarja Yoga Vaibhavam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXFaO67YUzk) - by John Higgins, an early American Carnatic Music lover whose life was tragically ended in his 40s.

Govardhana Giridhara (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3Oo5eiqXto)

Unbeatable Bhakti Tradition.

Ditto here. And may I just say that, Wundermonk has excellent taste in music. "Marugelara" and "Bantureethi Kolu" are among my favorite Thyagaraja compositions.

[philosoraptor]

By the way, for a real treat, you should listen to Narayana Tirtha's "Govardhana Giridhara" sung in rAga suddha sArang. Normally it's sung in darbAri kAnaDa which is also a favorite of mine, but the version in suddha sArang is just indescribably sweet. Malladi Brothers have a rendition that is to die for - it's on their Sri Narayana Theertha's Krishna Leela Tharangini CD.

[Equinox]

Vannakkam ShivaFan, everyone.

Carnatic music is one of the few things that keeps me sane in this insane world! It instantly spiritualises me and transports me to the deeper meaning of life. There seems to be an indefinable beauty and mysterious tranquility which I can perhaps attribute to carnatic music.

I spend at least an hour a day listening to carnatic music, either to the veenai or sitar, the thavil or mridangam and nadaswaram or the flute. When i'm too engrossed it can last up to 5 hours a session, to the unbelievability and amusement of my parents! Well, they wouldn't understand the peace and fulfillment I receive when i'm immersed in such divine music. It's like being in a different world.

It was a cassette my parents bought in India which gave me the first taste of carnatic music. I was 6 years old at that time and was instantly attracted to the music.

We have the Temple of Fine Arts here in Kuala Lumpur and i'm happy when I see so many young people taking part in the carnatic music lessons.

Few years back I attended the musical 'arangetram' of a cousin and was relieved to see the younger audience (of my age) tapping their laps with their palms and moving their heads rhythmically to the music, just like the older ones. Of course I did the same!...haha.

Sometimes when i'm out doing something, I patiently await the time when I can rush home and listen to some carnatic music. It has a sacred character and quality to it.

Have you tried listening to thavil and nadaswaram being played live at temples when the priest is performing puja? It's heavenly!

Wundermonk: Let me add two more favourites of mine to your list, Kanakanaruchira and Saadhinchene.

And before I end, I'd like to thank the great Goddess Saraswati for gifting us with such beautiful music! :)

[wundermonk]

By the way, for a real treat, you should listen to Narayana Tirtha's "Govardhana Giridhara" sung in rAga suddha sArang. Normally it's sung in darbAri kAnaDa which is also a favorite of mine, but the version in suddha sArang is just indescribably sweet. Malladi Brothers have a rendition that is to die for - it's on their Sri Narayana Theertha's Krishna Leela Tharangini CD.

Could you provide links to these on YT? Thx.

[wundermonk]

Wundermonk: Let me add two more favourites of mine to your list, Kanakanaruchira and Saadhinchene.

Any good links on YT for these? Thx.

[wundermonk]

An excellent place to buy CDs of Carnatic songs is Shankara Hall in Alwarpet in Chennai, if you are ever there. AVM Sound Zone is the name of the shop.

[charitra]

Vannakkam: A lot of communities in the west, like the one here, celebrate Thyagaraja by a long day of carnatic music. Although I love the sound, I found my ability to sit and listen was nowhere close to the Indian audience. After about 3 hours I found it tedious, whereas my friends were just getting started. :)Aum Namasivaya

Some historical trivia here. You should see how patientlyTamils used to sing and listen to Thyaga raja kirtanas all sung in Telugu up until 70s or 80s, after which they suddenly realized they could write lyrics in Tamil and could actually sing them in Tamil. We Telugus were listening to mostly Tamils singing in Telugu till then as they remained more devoted and robust thyaga raaja’s fans much more than telugus.. Telugus don’t have that luxury anymore. Tamils have hijacked :rolleyes: Thyaga Raja but nevertheless made him immortal for allgood reasons. Now he is Tamilized completely. Namaste.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam charitra: For awhile here there was some conflict between the Tamil Association, and the Andhra Association, ending in two Thyagaraja festivals instead of one. I always thought it was between two 'battleaxe style' ladies over who would sing the most, ;) or take the lead role. But of course I was just guessing. There were a few (still are) people who were more or less part of both groups at the same time. Thanks for the explanation. I'm quite sure they still have two festivals to this day.

Both groups are great supporters of the temple, although there were some issues at first.

AumNnamasivaya

[philosoraptor]

Could you provide links to these on YT? Thx.

Sadly, I looked but could not find it. :(

[ShivaFan]

These have been fantastic recommendations and example of sharing knowledge and love! Thank you all so much, and now I have found even MORE wonderful things to think about and to listen to in music today!

Om Nama Sivaya

Jai Saraswati, Mother of Music

[Equinox]

Vannakkam Wundermonk,

YT has a few concerts of these beautiful pieces, but I prefer listening to them in MusicIndiaOnline.com.

Here's the link:

http://musicindiaonline.co/#/search/clips/global!q=pancharatna+kirthis&genre=11

There's a few versions of both pieces, some with just musical instruments, and others with the sangeetham singing too. I like all of them.

[charitra]

Vannakkam charitra: For awhile here there was some conflict between the Tamil Association, and the Andhra Association, ending in two Thyagaraja festivals instead of one. .thought it was between two 'battleaxe style' ladies over who would sing the most, ;) or take the lead role.. Thanks for the explanation. I'm quite sure they still have two festivals to this day

Look forward to ''who owns Thyaga Raja'' or '' war of thyaga rajas'' ( on the lines of who owns yoga/ war of yogis) war cry from canada in a couple of years:)

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste,

There is indeed something special in the effects of properly performed
Carnatic music, and as has been mentioned, a short attention span is not
conducive to a would-be listener!

I have been treating myself to a good deal of E. Gayathri lately...

Hmm.. upon reflection, Maa Saraswati has been making Her presence felt
much more in my life recently in general- hopefully I am not too
thickheaded or deaf to apprehend and receive Her blessings as She sees fit
to bestow them.. Jai Maa Saraswati!

JAI MATA DI

[wundermonk]

I am in bliss right now, kind of, listening to this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjt8V4Sug2g) rendition of Thyagaraja Yoga Vaibhavam by KVN.

:)

http://www.harekrsna.de/Siksastaka/mahaprabhu.jpg

[sanatana]

Namaste to All carnatic music lovers:
At this web site you can find excellent collection of carnatic music, Vocal as well as instrumental to satisfy our souls.
http://surasa.net/

[spnapa]

ya is it good to hear and mind will relaxed when we hear this

[ShivaFan]

Namaste

Here is a recent Navratri upload to YouTube from Oct 2012 of Ganesh and Kumaresh on violin, helps heal when feeling weakness in the body from fever.

Jai Shitala Maa

Om Namah Sivaya

http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F#/watch?v=9iletVvZm8U

[wundermonk]

Yet another rendition of Endaro Mahanubhavulu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QMKtY0h5ZQ

Lyrics and meaning below

http://sahityam.net/w/index.php/Endaro_mahanubhavulu

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/sudhaama/2008/Hub-%2035%20MAY%202009/Thyagaraja1.jpg

[wundermonk]

Yet another sublime rendition of Thyagaraja Yoga Vaibhavam (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skb3iqMbdGs) by Ranjani and Gayatri.

[Anirudh]

Namaste,

A memorizing song from Thyagaraja Swami

www.karnatik.com/c1037.shtml
m.youtube.com/watch?v=dbGdUCWxCaA