HAPPY UGADI

NAMA BHAJARE (MAND RAGAM-COMPOSED BY SRI.PAPANASAM SIVAN)

Really happy Ugadi and Gudi Padwa with the talented and enterprising sisters Anjani (Veena) and Aswini (mridangam) at their residence.

Icing on the cake was an impromptu music session with Aswini's mridangam whose playing is marked by maturity and innate artistic brilliance. 

SAY YOU'LL BE THERE- SPICE GIRLS

A 90S RECORDING- REMIX OF SAY YOU'LL BE THERE (SPICE GIRLS)

MUSIC AND MIXING BY SURESH GOPALAN OF CHARSUR.

GHATAM-DR.S.KARTHIK 

 

Ragams of Sri Srinivasa Gadyam (SHOKAVARALI/MADHYAMAVATHI)

 SHOKAVARALI/MADHYAMAVATHI

RAGAMS OF SRI SRINIVASA GADYAM (recorded on 18th March, 2023, Saturday, Ekadasi, Sravana Nakshatram)

The avarohanam of Shokavarali can be compared to the knight's moves on a chessboard. Complex and restrictive. On the bright side the avarohanam by itself is an alaap. I have merely shown the arohana-avarohanam of Shokavarali. 

(Reference- Hema Ramanathan's Raga Lakshana Sangraha about Shokavarali-spelt as Sokavarali).

Ascent- S G M N D

Descent- P M G R M G R S.

Shokavarali is a janya ragam of Dhenuka. The raga in arohanam does not touch the top Sa. The raga Shokavarali, like its name has heavy undercurrents of pathos. I found this ragam appealing on the mandhara string (thrid base sarani string). Just like how a person who is deeply steeped in misery is unable to find relief, Shokavarali does not allow the relieving top note of shadjama to be touched. The person is depressed and gets into more complications depicted by the descent of the ragam.

Interestingly Sri Srinivasa Gadyam ragams are a mixture of different ragas expressing variety of emotions, All emotions which originate from God find their destination in Him. 

CHANDRAJYOTHI/GAMBHIRA NATA

CHANDRAJYOTHI.

CHANDRAJYOTHI IS JANYA OF PAVANI. (GAMBHIRA NATA IS DERIVED THROUGH SRUTHI BHEDAM BY ADAPTING SHUDDHA GANDHARAM AS ADHARA SHADJAMAM AND AT THE SAME TIME BY DELETING THE ADHARA SHADJAMAM OF CHANDRAJYOTHI ).

 Chandrajyothi Arohanam- S R1 G1 M2 P D2 S

Avarohanam- S D2 P M2 G1 R1 S

 

MARS IN ARDRA ( 27TH MARCH TO 22ND APRIL, 2023)- RUDRA THANDAVAM

RUDRA THANDAVAM

The fiery planet Mars entered Gemini (owned by enemy Mercury) on the 13th of March, 2023. Bracing for the entry of Mars into all the 4 padas of Ardra nakshatra (owned by Rahu) from 27th March to 22nd April, hardly 2 weeks away from now. Period of turbulence. Unexpected events, certainly not of a pleasant kind can be anticipated. One may recall Mars transit in Ardra nakshatra between 24th April to 17th May 2021 when people's lives were tossed and turned due to the nightmarish second wave of Corona.

With the threat of H3N2 and H1N1 looming large, precautions in general and in personal matters (nature of problems depends on Gemini's position from one's moon sign or ascendant. The placement of one's natal Mars, or its Lordship of Dasa- Bhukthi also have to be taken into account). Prayers to Lord Subramanya or Lord Narasimha can help to some extent.

Ardra being the nakshatra of Lord Rudra, parayanam (chanting) of Shiva Kavacham is highly recommended. 

In the meantime the planet of communication Mercury enters Aries (owned by Mars) in a parivartana yoga (exchange yaga) with Mars. Mercury remains in Aries between 31st of March to the 14th of May. Prior to its retrograde movement Mercury becomes stationary around the 21st of April just as Mars prepares to leave Ardra. The movement and condition of the planet of speed and communication Mercury has to be tracked for its significant impact on Mars and vice versa.

BHOGAVASANTHAM/SUDDHADHANYASI

 BHOGAVASANTHAM - Exotic, ethereal, elusive…… (IDENTIFY AADHARA SHADJAM TO UNRAVEL BHOGAVASANTHAM)

Bhogavasantham is a janya of Kamavardhini Aarohana-avarohanam-S R1 G2 M2 D1 N2 S-S N2 D1 M2 G2 R1 S. The alapana started with graha bhedam from antara gandharam as aadhara shadjam. Ragam Suddhadhanyasi is derived by deleting shadjamam of Bhogavasantham (shadjama varjyam) and adapting Suddha rishabham as aadhara shadjamam. The note which sounds like an anya swara is the actual adhaara shadjamam of Bhogavasantham.