Kshetra Sangeetham - Episode 4

[HR]

Dear Rasikas,

Please find below, the invitation for episode 4 of Kshetra Sangeetham on Madurai , to be held on 27th June 2010. All Rasikas are welcome.
- Harini Ramakrishnan

[mahakavi]

HR:
Could you list (here) the songs presented on KAnjci and Cidambaram for the benefit of those who missed seeing them? We had a fruitful discussion on the Srirangam kshetram kritis.

[HR]

Hi Mahakavi,
have listed the song lists for both programmes below. There are also separate threads of discussions on both concerts under the 'Kutcheri Review and Recordings' section in Rasikas, where there are also links to video clips.

The song list for Kanchi :

1. Tarunamidhamma- GowliPanthu- Adi- Syama Sastri
2.Ekambresha Nayike- Karnataka Suddha Saveri- Adi- Muthuswami Dikshitar-S
3. Pasuram- Saranga- Thirumangai Azhvar
4. Varadarajamupasmahe- Saranga- Rupakam- Muthuswami Dikshitar
5. Rave Himagiri- Todi- Adi- Syama Sastri-R
6. Thevaram- Maraiyanai- Mohanam- Kanta Chapu- Sammandhar
7. Varadaraja Ninnukori- Swarabhooshani- Roopakam-Thyagaraja-S
8.. Pasuram- Hamsanandhi- Ekam- Tisra Gathi- Peiazhwar
9. Chinthayama Kanda- Bhairavi- Rupakam- Muthuswami Dikshitar-RNS
10. Kanaka Saila- Punnagavarali- Adi- Syama Sastri
11. NottuSwaram- KANCHISHA EKAMRESHA- Sankarabaranam- Mutthuswami Dikshitar
12. Thevaram- Sindhu Bhairavi- Sundarar
13. Vinayaguni Valenu- Madyamavathi- Adi- Thyagaraja
14. VARADARAJA MANGALAM- MANAVAALA MAAMUNIVAR

Songs presented for Chidambaram:
1. Kunitha Puruvamum - Thevaram – Appar followed by
Varnam - Swami Naanundan - Nattaikurinji - Adi - Papanasam Sivan
2. Thaayagi Thandayumai - Thiruvarutpa - Hamsadhwani - Kanda Chapu - Ramalinga Adigalar
3. Chidambara Natarajam - Kedaram - Adi- Muthuswami Dikshitar - S
4. Satre Vilagi - Purvi Kalyani - Rupakam - Gopalakrishna Bharati- R,S
5. Easan Kanaka Sabesan - Begada - Adi - Koteeswara Iyer
6. Kaalai Thuki - Yadhukula Kamboji - Adi - Marimutha Pillai
7. Sabhapathiku - Abhogi - Rupakam - Gopalakrishna Bharati - N
8. Govindarajena - Mecha Bowli - Rupakam - Muthuswami Dikshitar
9. Siva Tandava Stotram - Ragamalika - Tisra Gathi - Ravana
10. Pasuram - Ranjani - Adi - Kulasekara Azhwar
11. Unai Nambinenayya - Keeravani - Adi – Muthutandavar – R, N , S, T
12. Abhaya Karathai - Behag - Rupakam - Suddhananda -Bharati
13. Thillai Ambalathanai - Suruti - Misra Chapu – Gopalakrishna Bharati
14. Tiruppugazh - Sindhu Bhairavi - Adi - Arunagirinathar
15. Mannuga Thillai - Thirupallandu , Thevaram – Sekizhar , Mangalam – Madyamavathi

[mahakavi]

Thank you, HR. It is a veritable collection on these kshEtrams (both Saivaite and VaishNavaite songs).

I don't intend to start another (?) controversy. But in the Cidambaram list, the song "saTrE (saRRE) vilagi" is out of place. Many people think it is on Cidambaram but it is not. It is on the kshEtram called tiruppungUr திருப்புங்கூர் a few miles away from Cidambaram. "SivalOganAdanaik kaNDu" is also about the same kshEtram. tiruppungUr is the place where nandanAr sang "vazhi maRaittirukkudE" about the nandi in front. The sequel for that is the reply by the Lord "saTrE vilagi irum piLLAy". In tiruppungUr, the nandi is seen to be shifted slightly out of center (at the Lord's request). I read an account that the nandi protested a bit at first but obeyed the Lord later!!!!!!

Pl visit the URL below for details (especially pages 19 through 26). The entire nandanAr carittirak keerttanai is there (in Thamizh script, of course).
http://www.tamilvu.org/slet/l5J50/l5J50pag.jsp?pno=26

[HR]

The concert had a rich song list, covering several composers who have sung on Madurai Meenakshi and temples near- by, interspersed with slokas / stotrams composed on these temples.

• 1. Mathe Malayadhwaja – Kamas - Harikeshanallur Muthiah Bagavathar (Daru Varnam)
  2. Verse from Meenakshi Pillai Tamizh (Kumaragurupar) followed by Enai Nee Maravathe – Amrithavarshini – MM Dandapani Desikar - S
  3. Ma Madhura – Ganamurthe – Adi – Koteeswara Iyer - R, N
  4. Verse from Sundara Tandava Stotram (Sage Patanjali) Followed by Somasundareshwaram – Suddha Vasantha - Muthuswami Dikshitar - S
  5. Devi Neeye Thunai – Keeravani – Adi - Papanasam Sivan - S at "muthamizh valartha"
  6. Thiruppugazh – Santatam Banda – Hindolam – Chanda Talam– Arunagirinathar (tirupparankundram)
  7. Verse from Meenakshi Pancharatnam ( Kalyani – Adi Sankara) followed by Mayamma – Ahiri – Adi - Syama Sastri (one of the ‘Navaratnamalika’ on Goddess Meenakshi)
  8. Koovi Azhaithal - Valaji – Adi - Kavignar Vaali
  9. Meenakshi Memudam – Purvikalyani – Muthuswami Dikshitar – R , N , S , T
  10. Verse from Meenakshi Stotram (Adi Sankara) followed by Madhura Madhura Meenakshi – Bhagesri – Rupakam - Dayananda Saraswathi
  11. Thiruppugazh - Agaramum Aagi – Sindhubhairavi – M Chapu – Arunagirinathar(Pazhamudircholai)
  12. Vande Meenakshi – Shankarabharanam - Muthuswamy Dikshitar (Nottu Swaram)
  13. Pasuram on Kallazhagar (Ragam Kaapi) followed by Mangalam Pasuram on Koodalazhagar (Ragam Surati)

The word ‘Ganamurthe’ in the Charanam of the song ‘Ma Madhura’ was rendered excellently, with extempore sangathis bringing out the essence of the ragam. The rare composition ‘Somasundareshwaram’ and the swara passages in the Pallavi line were a treat to the listener. One cannot ask for a better prelude to ‘Mayamma’ and ‘Madhura Madhura Meenakshi’ than the verses from Meenakshi Pancharatnam and Meenakshi Stotram by Adi Sankara!

The Kalpana swarams in Devi Neeye Thunai were rendered at the Charanam line ending with ‘Muthamizh Valartha’ . (This verse is placed at 3 counts after samam , making it challenging and interesting for the artistes, and we rarely hear swarams being rendered in this verse) . The Neraval in Meenakshi Memudham was presented in the line most fitting for the occasion ‘Madhurapuri Nilaye’, with Kalpana Swarams in both Kaalams. The Thiruppugazhs and Nottu Swaram added a good contrast to the song list, making it complete in all aspects, and showcasing the artist’s wide repertoire of compositions.

The concert was preceded by a short speech by Kavignar Vaali on Madurai Kshetra , where he briefly touched upon a couple of verses (Venba) he has composed on the Kshetra.

[thanjavooran]

Shri HR,
Excellent coverage . Thanx for the write up.
Thanjavooran 30 06 2010

[satyabalu]

*Ma madhura in "Ganamurthe"-I remember "ma" was a nice swaraksharam.She could accomodate a vivadi mela raga in this presentation.
*koovi azhaithal -Vali- I was touched by her emotive rendering in "Punniyam seydorku sannadhi therivai".
*Equally was so in the kriti of Dayananda Saraswathi- rarely heard after SKN. Maharajapuram Santhanam.
* Kotiswara Iyer being her speciality, I observe she has employed in Chidambaram &Madurai.
*The place for swaram @ 'muthamizh valartha" in Devi neeye thunai quite befitting Madurai kshetra.
*Suddha vasantha(29) swarams very brief &breezy.To me this ragam sounds in a way resembling Kannada (28)
(Is it due to kakali nishadam-bhashangam in kannada?)
* VS has balanced in all the three progs both Shaiva& Perumal(esp judiciously in Chidambaram that too inside the Natarajar temple!).Challenge ahead for her in Tiruvarur .Who knows she will,( with her ingenious curiosity) unearth from the treasures to bring out and maintain the poise..
* Good news is that she might shortly be completing her Khetra on Tiruvarur before leaving for N.Carolina for taking up lectureship .
* Akkarai was nice throughout. Poorvi Kalyani brought her thunderous appreciation..
*Balaji@-Mridangam was enjoying & anticipating.Why no write up these days ?

[MaheshS]

Tirumogoor can also be considered as a part of Madurai ...any songs on this kshetram?

[mahakavi]

>> in "Punniyam seydorku sannadhi therivai".<<
I thought the line went as "puNNiyam seydORku kaNNediril terivAn
Can somebody confirm?

[rshankar]

HR - I hope these are being recorded and will be released commercially. The choice of songs and composers has been uniformly excellent in this series.

[PUNARVASU]

>> in "Punniyam seydorku sannadhi therivai".<<
I thought the line went as "puNNiyam seydORku kaNNediril terivAn
Can somebody confirm?

I think you are right.

[ksrimech]

13. Pasuram on Kallazhagar (Ragam Kaapi) followed by Mangalam Pasuram on Koodalazhagar (Ragam Surati)[/list]

Any details???

[satyabalu]

I agree with Punarvasu &Mahakavi.

[HR]

Hi Ksrimech,

The artiste rendered a Pasuram on Kallazhagar by Periazhwar (Pasuram Verse 342) starting with the words "Oru Varanam Pani Kondavan" in Raga Kaapi.

The Koodal Azhagar Mangalam started with the line "Madura Valli Manaala Mangalangal..." and the artiste sang 4 verses of the pasuram in Surati, ending with the verse "Kurai Neekum Govinda Un Attaanga Vimaanam Marai Potrum Madhava Koodal Azhaga Mangalangal".

- Harini

[ksrimech]

Thank you so much Ms. Harini.