SARASWATI VEENA-20

 

Size of Veenas differs from one another. Either the kudam is bigger or smaller than the other, or the Veena 'dandi' is lengthier or wider than the other. It's not necessary to record particulars of the size of Veena with a measuring tape. 

A Veena has to be tested by using and trying out different gauges of strings. It's wrong to state that all Veenas must use same gauges for saarani and panchamam strings.

The gauge is determined by testing it's 'jeeva' or 'kaarvai' (sustenance and resounding naadham or resonance when the string is played upon). The sound should not be clipped, but sustained and continuous (like in the case of tambura).

In my experience the same gauge measures differently, going by the brands and music showrooms. It's important to try out different gauges to arrive at the point of honeyed sweetness only a Veena is capable of yielding.

ABOVE APPLICABLE TO ACOUSTIC VEENAS ONLY

CRAZY (Gnarls Barkley)

           Shreeja’s impromptu ‘Crazy’

WITNESSING ONESELF

Highly disciplined people, a few specific persons,  who despite immense wealth and prosperity follow a strict routine of God worship and meditation.

But will they be able to maintain the same discipline during a time of crisis?! That's when the mettle is tested. The real test of one's integrity is all about one's ability to unwaveringly conduct the disciplined routine of pre-crisis. 

The following is a great practice-

The Higher Self within ourselves is God or witness. The practice of withdrawing ourselves into the brightness of the Higher Self within and to start witnessing everything around including our own selves reveals the light at the end of the tunnel. 

The light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter as we gradually begin to realize the fact that our  namesake could be anybody or everybody else and not necessarily the bodies we are identifying ourselves with. As soon as this realization dawns on oneself,  bouquets or brickbats; adulation or assaults; justified or unfair....all will cease to touch oneself.

Nothing can affect ......really......it's a blissful state of detachment.....

VASANTHA PANCHAMI

 

VASANTHA PANCHAMI, THE SEASON OF SPRING AND LOVE-

Saint Thyagaraja  has composed this krithi in one of the most romantic raagams, Brindavana Saranga. "Kamala Kalathra" (Seetha Devi) as mentioned in the anupallavi is perhaps the dazzling gemstone added to the jewel called 'Kamalapthakula..."

16TH FEBRUARY 2021-VASANTHA PANCHAMI

The Vasantha Panchami heralds the beginning of the season of spring and love! 

The Goddess of Learning, Saraswathi is worshipped on this auspicious day. Many are not aware that this Goddess is also present in the Maadhuryaleela of Lord Rama and Seetha Devi as the female companion (Sakhi) of Seetha Devi!

Agasthya Samhitha, the ancient text of Sri Vaishnavism states (in Sri Rama Upasana) as follows-

"Dhyaatvaacha Manmatham Raamam Seethaamapi Rathim Smareth".

"One should meditate on Lord Rama as Manmadha (Kama Deva) and Seetha Devi as Rathi Devi (the potential pleasure of Lord Rama) in their worship, be it japam, homam or meditation."

Agasthya Samhitha further recommends that devotees should worship the divine couple with flowers, fruits, sweets, perfumes and exotic offerings. Flowers and clothes in the color of yellow and green are offered to the celestial couple.

It was during the spring season, following Vasantha Panchami that Lord Rama and His beloved wandered in the beautiful forests of Ayodhya and walked across the banks of River Sarayu...

                   LORD RAMA (MANMATHA)-SEETHA DEVI (RATHI DEVI)

Valentine's Day -All About Loving.....

 PLAYING ON A NEW VEENA (FOR THE PAST ONE MONTH)

Kannanidam Eduthu Solladi Kiliye, Kanni Naan Avanidam Konda Kaadhalai...... Oonurakkam Vittu Avanai Ninaindhu Ullam Mezhugai Urugugiren Enru........ (Ragam- Darbari Kanada,Thalam- Adi, Lyrics- Ambujam Krishna, Music- My Guru, Sri.T.M.Thyagarajan)
 

Pyaar Kiyatho Darna Kya and Lag Jaa Gale (Only pallavis)

P.S. I HAVE BEEN PLAYING ON THIS VEENA ONLY FOR THE PAST ONE MONTH

WISH FULFILLMENT!

HIRANMAYEEM LAKSHMEEM- RAGAM-LALITHA, THALAM-RUPAKAM, COMPOSER-SRI.MUTHUSWAMY DIKSHITHAR.

Playing this on Veena along with sahithyam (lyrics) for 40 days without break will yield unexpected abundance, fortune and wish-fulfillment.

DURGA SAPTASHATI (11th Chapter)

DURGA SAPTASHATI 11th CHAPTER FOR RAHU MAHADASHA/ANTARDASHA PERIOD. 

Listening or chanting the above everyday enhances native's natal chart's benefic Rahu or mitigates malefic Rahu results during Rahu Mahadasha/Antardasha period as well as during Rahu transits.

Today’s Sakshi

 

GURU VANDHANAM

My Guru, late Sri.T.M.Thiagarajan was an expert composer of krithis, varnams, pallavis and structuring krithis. His compositions of chittaswarams were admired by musicians and scholars. Many seasoned musicians perform his chittaswarams and compositions in thier concerts.

Above is a very humble offering of his chittaswarams through my album VEENA VANDHANAM for Geethanjali Audio (recorded in the 90s). Mridangam- Sri.R.Ramesh, Ghatam- Sri. Ghatam Karthick

The Majestic Temples!

VEENA AND VIOLA-The rendition of Brahmakadigina Paadamu (Ragam-Mukhari, Adi thalam and composed by Annamacharya) was picturized in the great temples, Sri Kamakshi and Sri Varadarajaswamy temples of Kanchipuram for a musical produced by Sri. Govind Nallappa and telecast by Doordarshan in the 80s.

A unique combination of Veena and Viola with the viola played by none other than the legendary late Dr. Balamuralikrishna! His mastery of the instrument was amazing! The audio was recorded in Sangeetha Studio (Sri.Guruvayur Dorai- mridangam). Our action was filmed as we played our instruments according to the recorded audio version. The video was shot in bits in Sri Kamakshi as well as in Sri Varadarajaswamy temple, Kanchipuram.

Many devotees and vedic brahmins gathered around us to watch the film shoot. Dr. Balamuralikrishna's casual banter and jokes put me at ease as I felt painfully shy and self-conscious during the filming.

The temple prasadam (of pulihara-tamarind rice, chakkara pongal-jaggery rice and vadas) was served as lunch in the thick foliage of mango and various other trees in the backyard of Sri Varadarajaswamy Temple. 

The 2-day shoot in the holy and pure atmosphere of these majestic temples will forever stay in my memory!

 

Divine Ecstasy

MAMAVATHU SRI SARASWATHI- HINDOLAM-MYSORE SRI.VASUDEVACHAR

SRI T.M.THIAGARAJAN-Vocal