NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Review the latest concerts you have listened to.
Post Reply
CRama
Posts: 2939
Joined: 18 Nov 2009, 16:58

NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by CRama »

Gayathri Girish impressed the house full audience in Arkay with her lucid Multi Media Presentation cum concert on the above topic which was held as part of the Sangeetha Lakshana Lakshya Series by Music Forum. The programme was sponsored by K.V.Ponnammal Trust and Rukmini Arts Foundation. The programme which commenced at 10 AM went on till 12.45. B.Ananathakrishnan on the Violin and Kumbakonam Swaminathan on the Mridangam provided adequate support. Gayathri’s daughter cum disciple Vishruti Girish and another disciple Maithreyi provided vocal support. Noted Historian and Sculpture Specialist Dr.Chithra Madhavan was the special Guest for the occasion.

Kalidasa has passionately lauded the South Indian city Kanchipuram by saying “Pushpeshu Jati. Purusheshu Vishnu. Nareeshu Rambha. Nagareshu Kanchi”. It reinforces the importance of this town from ancient days. Kanchipuram is one of the Mukti sthalams. There is reference in Sangam Literature, Silappadikaram, Manimekalai etc about this temple town. The town had its golden period under the rule of the Pallava Kings and later Chola empire. This town is special for the worship of Siva, Ambal and Vishnu with over 108 Siva temples and 14 Divyadesams. There is the Somaskanda Kshetram Kandakottam. Geographically, Ekamreshwarar Temple, Kandakottam and Kamakshi Temple represent the Somaskanda icon. There are three parts of this town- Siva Kanchi, Vishnu Kanchi, Jina Kanchi. (Jina Kanchi is the area where Jains concentrated). However, it may be remembered that there are Vishnu temples n Siva Kanchi and vice versa. Many vaggeyakaras, Nayanmars, Alwars, have made their compositions on the deities in Kanchi. Select kritis were presented.

Earlier Gayathri commenced the programme with Vinayakar kappu from Kandapuranam by Kachiappa Sivachariar. The verses commencing Thikara chakkara chemmukam was rendered appropriately in Nata. Gayathri took the audience on a tour to the sacred temples of Kanchi.

Ekamreshwarar Temple.
Moolavar is Ekamreshwarar and his consort is Elavarkuzhali. This is Prithvi Kshetram. The lingam is Prithvilingam. Muthuswami Diskhitar has composed the Panchabhootha sthala kriti Chintayamakandamoola kandam in Bhairavi ragam. This was rendered well followed by the Sundarar Tevaram Aalandaan Ugandu in Pann Takkesi (Kambodi). The Gamagakriya composition of Deekshitar Ekamranatham Bhajeham followed.
Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt is an important place of worship. Kanchi Periyavaa has explained the meaning of Kamakoti as Mokshadayakam. Gayathri rendered the Tirunavukkarasar Tevaram Pandu seytha pazhavinayin payan in a lilting Dhanyasi. The raga bhavam came out remarkably.

Kumarakottam
This is the place where Murugan did tapas to ward of the sin of arresting Brahma and not heeding to his father’s advice. Kachiyappa Sivachariar composed the Kandapuranam as directed by Murugan. Arunagirinathar and Pamban Swamigal are the other composers of this place. Gayathri rendered a very rare Tirupugazh in Jaganmohini.

Kamakottam- The abode of Kamakshi.
The Kamakshi temple is one of the 51 Sakthi sthalams. Kamakshi is the presiding deity of Kanchipuram. There is Sree Chakram, Bilakasam inside the Kamakshi sanctum sanctorum where Kamakshi is said to have done the tapas. There are 13 shrines of Vinayakar inside this temple. The Golden Chariot and Golden Vimanam are very famous. Kamakshi gave speech to Mooka kavi and he composed 500 verses in praise of Kamakshi called Mooka Panchasati. Gayathri rendered a slokam in Madhyamavathy and followed up with the popular Thyagaraja composition on Kamakshi- Vinayakunivedalina in Madhyamavathy. Gayathri referred to the kriti of Deekshitar in Sumadyuti ragam- Saileswaram bhajare. The uniqueness of this kriti is that one line is in praise of Siva and next line is in praise of Vishnu. This was followed by the impeccable rendering of Kanakasaila viharini in Punnagavarali by Gayathri’s disciples- Vishruti Girish and Maithreyi. It was a very impressive exposition by the disciples.
Oothukadu Venkatasubba Iyer has composed the Kamakshi Navavaranam kritis. Sadanandamayi in Hindolam was rendered with poise and feel. The madhyamakala sahithyam is really a tongue twister. A rare composition of Deekshitar in Manji ragam- Sree Saraswati hite- a short kriti with no madhyama kalam- followed.

Varadarajar Temple
One of the greatness of this temple town is that it abodes 14 of the 108 Divyadesams of Vishnu. Perundevi Tayar is the consort of Varadarajar. Vedanta Desikar, Appayya Deekhsitar etc have made their compositions on this deity. The Varadaraja Perumal is carved in Athi maram. Tyagaraja has composed the kriti Varadaraja nine kori in the ragam Swarabhooshani on Varadarajar. There is no mention of this ragam in the Sangraha Choodamani. This song is generally sung in Devamanohari. Vedanta Desikar has composed the verses Adaikkalapathu on this deity and select verses were sung in Ritigowla, Sahana and Suruti. Deekshitar’s composition Varadarajam Upasmahe in Saranga was also rendered.

Kailasanathar Temple.
This temple is an epitome of Pallava architecture. The Sivalingam is made of Granite and various forms of Siva are engraved in the temple. There are 20 Somaskanda plates and it has been declared by UNESCO as a World heritage site. Deekshitar has composed one his masterpieces Kailasanathena samrakshitoham in Kambodi which was rendered with authenticity.

Ulagalanthaperumal Kovil
Built in Peragam or Tiruooragam. There are 4 Divyadesams inside this temple. Gayathri rendered the Tirumangaiazhvar Pasuram -Kal eduthu kal maari kaathay in Hameerkalyani and Neeragathay Neduvarayin uchi melay in Saveri.

Vaikunta Perumal Kovil
Built by Parameswara Varman. Gayathri rendered the Tirumangaiazhvar Pasuram Uram tharum mel anai palli konday in Mohanam.
Gayathri concluded with the Pattinathar composition Kallaa Pizhaym karutha pizhayum in Suruti.

It was an exquisite programme by Gayathri Girish. Like her earlier thematic programmes, this programme introduced us to many rare kritis, Pasurams and Tevarams, besides the iconic details. The Powerpoint was used very effectively to showcase the visuals of the beauty and marvel in the temples, deities, architectural beauty, vimanams, vahanams, etc which many a time we miss to appreciate in our temple visits. Gayathri informed that the photos were taken by her sister in law and Vishruti specifically for this programme. Our special thanks to them. Vishruti is already giving concerts. Wish to see her attain great heights in the near future. The lyrics of the songs were also shown in the PP presentation with appropriate highlights. Vishruti and Maithreyi deserve special appreciation for their close following and singing all the rare songs with confidence and perfection. The accompanists B.Ananthakrishnan and Kumbakonam Swaminathan played their role admirably.

Dr. Chithra Madhavan in the end admired the efforts of Music Forum and complimented Gayathri Girish and her disciples for the wealth of information she was able to collate and present with appropriate visuals.

Sachi_R
Posts: 2174
Joined: 31 Jan 2017, 20:20

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by Sachi_R »

CRama,
Thank you.
Every rasika of Carnatic music is a lifelong student of geography, mythology and devotional scriptures!

Vid. Gayathri Girish is really a specialist in this kind of presentations. My kudos to her.

I don't know where Kalidasa has said Nagareshu Kanchi.

However I was able to discover this in the Vamana Purana:
धान्येषु शालिर्द्विपदेषु विप्रः चतुष्पदे गौः श्वपदां मृगेन्द्रः।
पुष्पेषु जाती नगरेषु काञ्ची नारीषु रम्भा श्रमिणां गृहस्थः।। १२.५०

कुशस्थली श्रेष्ठतमा पुरेषु देशेषु सर्वेषु च मध्यदेशः।
फलेषु चूतो मुकुलेष्वशोकः सर्वौषधीनां प्रवरा च पथ्या।। १२.५१

My translation (🙂) :
Among grains the best is rice, among men the best is a sage. Among quadrupeds is the cow, among carnivores the lion.
Among flowers is the jasmine, among cities is Kanchi, among women is Rambha, among those who toil is the householder.
Kushasthali (another name for Dwaraka) is the best among towns, among towns, regions, all, is the Middle Kingdom. Among fruits is the Mango, among buds is Ashoka, among all medicines is (fasting and) diet!

kvchellappa
Posts: 3598
Joined: 04 Aug 2011, 13:54

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by kvchellappa »

sacchidananda svaroopine namah

Sachi_R
Posts: 2174
Joined: 31 Jan 2017, 20:20

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by Sachi_R »

श्रीगुरुभ्योनमः

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

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by CRama »

RSachi.
Gayathri, in her presentation did not take the name of Kalidasa. I googled and found in more than one site this information. Please see one of the links below.
http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Kanchipuram.

But in your reference and the reference I have quoted, both attribute Nagareshu to Kanchi only- not to any other place. :D
I know a few more usages like- Rageshu Saveri, Teereshu Kaveri etc. I dont remember the source. TNS has sung a pallavi in Saveri with these words.

Sachi_R
Posts: 2174
Joined: 31 Jan 2017, 20:20

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by Sachi_R »

CRama
Is it not enough for you and me that
Adi Shankara
Ramanuja
Purandaradasa
Thyagaraja
Shyamashastri
Dikshitar
Of course Maha Periyava
......
Have celebrated Kanchi!!!!???

That note from me was only an aside. Nothing to take away from your report or the concert.

Maybe Kalidasa did say that about Kanchi. But I don't know yet.

There is a famous joke that one could pass off anything in olden times by saying it was a quote from Kalidasa. In our times that power of the name belongs Sri. Abdul Kalam.

Please note again that it was only an aside.

And by the way in Hindu scriptures puranas are attributed to Veda Vyasa and so Vamana Purana is not a come down at all.

thanjavooran
Posts: 2972
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 04:44

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by thanjavooran »

Shri C Rama
Excellent coverage as usual. Many thanks.
Thanjavooran
04 07 2018

arasi
Posts: 16774
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by arasi »

Such performance-Eshu Gayathri Girish
Detailed review-Eshu CRama
sakala vishayEshu our sAchi
rasika sthalamEshu Rasikas.org :)

Sachi_R
Posts: 2174
Joined: 31 Jan 2017, 20:20

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by Sachi_R »

नगरेषु काञ्ची
विदुषीसु जीजी ।
रसिकेषु रामः
सुहृदेषु राजी ॥

harimau
Posts: 1819
Joined: 06 Feb 2007, 21:43

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by harimau »

arasi wrote: 05 Jul 2018, 18:24 Such performance-Eshu Gayathri Girish
Detailed review-Eshu CRama
sakala vishayEshu our sAchi
rasika sthalamEshu Rasikas.org :)
Nimishakavieshu Arasi! :lol:

arasi
Posts: 16774
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by arasi »

aRivAr athanaiyum harimau-vum
aRivomE nAmum adai--mElum,
nimishak kavi nAnenRAl, avarai
vishamak kalaignyar enalAmO?

Harimau knows it all too
And we all acknowledge it--
But if I am nimishak kavi,
Will he be vishamak kalaignyar? :)

Gayathri Girish,
Mind not all this kidding around. Many of us here admire you for your pATTu and pANDityam :) You are the one we are focused on...

harimau
Posts: 1819
Joined: 06 Feb 2007, 21:43

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by harimau »

arasi wrote: 06 Jul 2018, 08:31 aRivAr athanaiyum harimau-vum
aRivomE nAmum adai--mElum,
nimishak kavi nAnenRAl, avarai
vishamak kalaignyar enalAmO?
Just proved my point, didn't you?

Anyway, so long as you don't write a poem calling me Vishamakkara Kannan, I am happy! :lol: :lol:

kvchellappa
Posts: 3598
Joined: 04 Aug 2011, 13:54

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by kvchellappa »

I think 'Kalaignar' is enough!

arasi
Posts: 16774
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Re: NAGARESHU KANCHI BY GAYATHRI GIRISH-ARKAY-1/7/18

Post by arasi »

Now, you become the vishamakkArar :)

Post Reply