It was Sivarathri day. And what better way to commence the proceedings than with a programme on Thevaram , the divine hymns set to music in the appropriate Panns.
Hamsadhwani could not have thought of a better choice than Smt Vijayalakshmi Rajaram who had learnt Thevaram under Thirukkalar Sundaresa Desigar for eight years and presently under the tutelage of the legendary Thanjavur Sankara Iyer.
She was assisted by Villiwakkam Raghuraman on the Violin and Thillaisthanam Suiyanarayanan on the mridangam.
On this occasion she chose to take the listeners on a tour of the Pancha Linga Kshetras and a few others through the Thevarams of the four Nayanmarsinterspersed with short explanations of the context.
She commenced with the Appar Thevaram Osai Oliyellam (Thiru thandagam -- HariKambodhi) envisioning Siva as Nada Brahmam.
Some of the Thevarams sung of the Kshetras ,as far as I could recollect are given
below (not exhaustive).
Chidambaram: Aadinai naru neyyodu Kedarara Gowla G
Mattru Patru Sankarabharanam S
Kuniththa Puruv Dhanyasi A
Aruladhu Ozindan Sahana M
Tituvannamalai Vaananai Kiravani A
Unnamulai Gambhira Nattai G
Tiruvadhigai Kootrayina Navroj A
Kanchipuram Aalandhan Ugandhu Kambodhi S
Karuvuttra Naal Mukhari A
Tiruvarur Meela Adimai Madhyamavathi S
Tiruvanaikkovil Vanjamindri Hindolam A
Sri Kalahasthi Vanavargal Panthuvarali G
ThirukKedaram Thondar Anju Y.Kambodhi G
Thiruvaiyaru Madar Pirai Navroj A
Mylapore Mattitta Punniyam M M Gowlai G
Tiruvanmiyur Vinda Mamalar Kalyani G
Short expositions of the ragas Kambodhi, Hindolam, and Yadhukula Kambodhi added to the musical values.
Altogether a musical experience of a different kind. Thanks to Hamsadhwani.
Sri T V Venkataraman I A S who is widely known for his learned expositions on Tirumular’s Thirumandiram and the Thevarams spoke on the occasion commending the artiste and the presentation .