SIVANUM SIVAKUMARIYUM- DR.RADHA BHASKAR AND GAYATHRI GIRISH

[CRama]

Sivanugraha Trust founded by Ms.Rukmani Ramani, the illustrious daughter of Tamil Tyagayya Papanasam Sivan celeberated its fifteenth Anniversary and the above programme was held in Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall on 28 August at 9.30 A.M as a part of the celeberations. They were accompanied by Usha Rajagopalan on the Violin and Ganapathyraman on the Mridangam.

Rukmani Ramani is a prolific composer in her own right and her compositions do follow the pattern of her father. Her compositions are direct outpourings of her heart, having greatly inspired by her father. The compositions are in simple language- Tamil, Sanskrit and Manipravalam. Her compositions exceed 2000 and till now, seven volumes of her compositions have been published. She has composed songs on all the deities of our Hindu Religion. She had composed Kapaleeswarar Pancharatnam, Tiruvarur Pancharatnam, 108 Divyadesa kritis, 51 Shakthi Peeta kritis, Dwadasa Jyotirlinga kritis, Ashta Veerattana krits, Panchabhoota sthala kritis, Saptha vitanka sthala krits, varnams, thillanas, operas etc. Her mudhra is SIVAKUMARI. Her compositions are largely used by the dancers. At the commencement of the programme, a prayer song in Sudha Dhanyasi was sung by a few of her students. The sahityam of the song was simple but appealing- Ashtotthara naamam solli archanai seythaal Ashtaiswarayam perukum. In this programme, Gayathri Girish and Radha Bhaskar tried to draw a parallel between the compositions of father (PS) and daughter (RR). In this programme, the singers have presented a cutchery format- varnam, compositions on various Gods concluding with a thillana - both by Papanasam Sivan and Rukmani Ramani. Ragam, swaram etc were avoided. The list of songs presented is given below.

• Song on Vinayaka
Sree Vathapi Ganapathiye-Sahana-PS-GG
Selvaganapathiye Saranamayya-Nata-RR-RB
• Varnam
Swami Naan undan adimai- Varnam- Natakurinji-PS- GG
Ainkaranai panivay- Varnam- Mohanam- RR-RB
• Murugan
Senthil Andavan-Kharaharapriya-PS-GG
Saravanaa Murugaa Saranamarulvay- RR- Varamu
• Ambal
Ninnai ppaadi ninnai vanangi tuthippathenral- Dwijavanti-RR-GG
Unnai allaal vere gathi illai Amma- Kalyani-PS-RB
• Parameswaran
Samaanamevarum illaye unakku- Kuntalavarali-RR-GG
Paadame tunai Paramasiva-Valaji-PS-RB
• Vishnu
Hara saapa vimochana perumal- Gambheeranatai-RR-GG
Uthamar Kovilil uthamar uynthida- Khamas-RR-GG
Ksheerasagarasayi-Poorvikalyani- PS-RB
• Songs in Kharaharapriya- Just like Tyagaraja and Papanasam Sivan, Rukmani Ramani had composed many songs in this ragam.
Sreenivasa tava charanam-PS-RB
Janaki bhajitha-RR-GG
Prithivilingane-RR-GG
Dayavillaya dayalo-PS-RB
Padavarnam on Karpagambal-RR-GG
• Yati pattern
Rasika sikhamaniye-Kala rasika sikhamaniye- Lalitha kala rasika sikhamaniye- Manam nirai sangeeta vadya natyamudan lalitha kala rasika sikhamaniye- RR- GG-Kharaharapriya
• Songs with chittaswaram-
Maadayai –Vasantha-PS-GG
Upaasanai seythal- Vitapi-RR-GG (Vitapi is janya of Chakravakam)
• Rare ragams handled
PS- Balahamsa, Salagabhairavi, Bimplas, Tilang, Sivaranjani
RR-Nagaswarali, Surya, Varunapriya, Navaneetam, Namanarayani,Ratipatipriya, Nasikabhooshani
Kannan madhura idazhai adainthay-Beemplas-PS-GG
Parthasarathy Naan paartha sarathy-Sumanesaranjani-RR-RB
• Thillana
Behag-PS-GG
Surya-RR-RB

Radha Bhaskar and Gayathri Girish have done enough research into the compositions of Rukmani Ramani for this presentation. Both these musicians have proved their research oriented mind, dedication and excellence in communication skills in many thematical programmes presented by them. This programme is another feather in their caps. We as rasikas, have never heard any of these compositions. I fervently hope that we will get to hear the songs of Rukmani Ramani in the concerts in the days to come. A thematic presentation in AIR may facilitate better outreach among musical lovers.

The accompanists played with good level of understanding. Usha Rajagopalan played brief alapanas of Kalyani and Khamas. Ganapathyraman played with good understanding and embellished the kritis.

It is very heartening to mention that both DR. RADHA BHASKAR AND GAYATHRI GIRISH have been awarded MUSIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS during the valedictory function held on the same day evening. It is a well deserved honour for both the musicians. CONGRATS TO BOTH THE VIDUSHIS and wish for many more accolades to come.

[rshankar]

Congratulations to the vidushis!
Sounds like a beautiful program.
CRama - I love your reviews: nIr peTRa inbam yAmum peTROm!

[HarishankarK]

Nice review. Must have been a wonderful programme.
RR is a very good composer. Her Ratipatipriya song Srinivasa is very beautiful and has a cute madhyanakalam too. I like her Arabhi pancharatnam on Kapaleeshwarar also scholarly composition that is.

[CRama]

Forgot to mention. The rasikas were provided with a good breakfast and coffee in the morning. Thanks to the organisers.

[rajeshnat]

While appA papanasam Sivan had a market where many(MMI DKJ MS amma etal) were considering to present thamizh compositions back in 1940's , presently for a vidwan/vidushi to take up compositions of Rukmini Ramani and present it even in a non thematic setting would be the best way forward. Many years back I once talked with Rukmini Ramani - she told she and her sister Neela Ramamurthi had taken so much of pain in their early days to notate and publish even many papanasam sivan compositions . Great daughters to a great father.
Kudos To Radha Bhaskar and Gayathri Girish in presenting with these combo.

[MaheshS]

While appA papanasam Sivan had a market where many(MMI DKJ MS amma etal) were considering to present thamizh compositions back in 1940's

Two things occur to mind, maybe a different thread would be better,

1. If Sivan hadn't got that much popularity in the movies like he did, would his compositions be as popular as it is now? Or would have the yester year stars sung his compositions like they frequently did?

2. Would that mean, we would have heard more tamil compostions from pre-Sivan days? Say like the thevarams, thirupugazh etc as amin items? We have Oothukadu as an example whose compostion were largely forgotten till recently bar a few instances.