"Play it again, Sam"- your favourite Carnatic compositions!

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 28 Jun 2014, 03:55

Dear rasikas,
Fact: Compositions were rated by you as the #1 attraction of CM, after Sruti alignment in the survey last year.
Fact: Catchy and memorable rendering of compositions make musicians famous.
Fact: Record labels are trying to corner compositions.

All in all, a powerful case for me to know your favourite compositions in CM!

So now, why don't we collect the list of YOUR favourite compositions? But to make it really interesting, I want you to name ONLY FIVE COMPOSITIONS.

MY FIVE:
1. Rama neeyeda- KHP - Thyagaraja
2. Kamalambam bhajare - Kalyani - Dikshitar
3. Pahi Sri Girirajasute - Anandabhairavi - Shyamashastri
4. Va Muruga - Begada - Venugopal
5. Sringara Lahari - Nilambari - Lingaraje Urs

Please come back with your five.... I am begging to add two more, TODI-Sivan (Kartikeya Gangeya) and Purnachandrika tillana (Srinivasa Iyengar) but I said five and it has to be FIVE ONLY.

Please list your favourites....
Thanks!!!
Sachi R

Ps: if I get more than hundred responses, I shall publish the final list with as much detail as possible....

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 28 Jun 2014, 04:56

Bhajare re Manasa - abheri
KaDalakkura - ritigowla
Upacharamulanu - bairavi
Nagumo - abheri
enta mUdo - bindumalini

mkal · Post by **mkal** » 28 Jun 2014, 05:58

I am sure I have heard only a small subset of what's out there but will take a crack anyway.

Sri Venkatesham - Todi
Gopalaka Pahimam - Revagupti version
Kaligiyunte - Keeravani
Sri Mathrubhootham - Kannada
Kamakshi - Bhairavi swarajati

If I was allowed one more, Aalaavadennaalo - Paras (OVK) would have made it:)

P.S Hate the iPad autocorrect! Todi is toxic!!! Some nerve!

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 28 Jun 2014, 07:48

Thanks...good for me, I will listen to these ASAP.

I agree on the autocorrect. Often with both IOS and even the much-touted Swiftkey Android, I have a feeling I am ordering Indian dishes on a cruise ship to an eager but ill-informed steward who confuses my choices....

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 28 Jun 2014, 07:54

Sachi,
A tempting morsel of a topic (not surprisingly from you), but did all princesses have it as easy as SeethA? Or Draupadi for that matter--who somehow ended up with five songs, I mean, five valiant princes

From your list, kamalAmbAm bhajarE is a strong favorite, and mkal's Sri venkatESam too. You made it tough. Wish you had wanted five of T, five of MD, five of SS, PD, and so on...tamizh songs alone , for me, need to accomodate a top twenty list

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 28 Jun 2014, 08:25

Arasi
I expected no less from a princess.
You list top five. Write all your reasons. And addend more.

Music is not a golden deer or a saugandhika pushpa, but an attitude of mind, expressed through loving endearments called favourite songs.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 28 Jun 2014, 08:47

When was I demoted?

Seriously, you mean the saugandhikA, one of Vishnu's ten favorites? Aha! One division a cousin gave me of that wonderfully fragrant flower some years ago took roots, was divided further, given to friends, and some more were planted in our little garden! So, how many saugandhikAs in rAgAs there are to savor and consider! I will pick more songs when others come up with theirs. The more I think about it, the more it seems as if while some songs impress me no end for their sheer musical structure, rAgA, lyrical grandeur and so on, what counts in the end are the ones which move me intensely in emotion.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 28 Jun 2014, 08:58

Yes, your highness

So list your endearments please. You know you will start an avalanche of responses.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 28 Jun 2014, 09:34

My five - very difficult to limit to 5, but with no intention of going about it in that manner, I am glad that the list spans my favorite composers:
sarOjadaLanEtri - SankarAbharaNam
mAtE malayadhvaja pANDya saMjAtE - khamAs
nidhi cAla sukhamA - kalyANI
kArtikEya gAngEya - tODi
mInAkshi mE mudam dEhi - pUrvIkalyANi

vgovindan · Post by **vgovindan** » 28 Jun 2014, 09:37

Five? Impossible. You select yourself. This is only a fraction of what I love.

nAdalOludai - T
vaddanevAru - T
marugElarA - T
inta saukhyamani - T
kELanO hari - PD
rAma nAma pAyasakE - PD
kRshNA nI bEganE - PD
SrI satyanArAyaNam - D
bRhadambikAyai - D
mInAkshi mE mudam - D
nannu brOvu lalitA - SS
yamunA nadikkarai tannil - tiruvArUr rAmamurti

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 28 Jun 2014, 09:41

Ravi, Govindan,
Just to read your lists is so delectable....am glad I started this thread!

For VG who has done yeomen service by compiling Thyagaraja and other composers, to list so many of Purandara Dasa...sir you are a very sensitive soul!

Krishna née..Vyasaraya, spiritual guru of Purandara Dasa and Kanaka Dasa.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 28 Jun 2014, 10:19

Brochevarevarura - Khamas - Vasudevachar
nAda tanumaniSam - cittaranjani - tyAgarAja
sangIta gnAnamu - dhanyAsi - tyAgarAja
SrI subrahmaNyAya - kAmbhOji - DIKSH
Amba Kamakshi Anudinamu - Bhairavi - Shyama Sastri

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 28 Jun 2014, 10:37

M. R. Rathna:
1.Akhilandenshwari
2.Varugalamo
3.Sumasayaka
4. Thyagaraja yogavaibhavam
5.Ra ra Rajivalochana

espras · Post by **espras** » 28 Jun 2014, 11:37

Pogadirelo Ranga - Shankarabharanam
Ksheenamai Tiruga - Mukhari
Nee Chitthamu Nishchalamu - Dhanyasi
Sri Rajagopala - Saveri
Nijadasa Varada - Kalyani

cienu · Post by **cienu** » 28 Jun 2014, 12:01

Raave Himagiri Kumari - Todi - SS
Akhilandeshwari - Dwijavanthi - MD
O Ranga Saayee - Kamboji - T
Bhavayami Gopalabalam - Yaman Kalyani - A
Jagadhodharana - Hindustani Kaapi - PD

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 28 Jun 2014, 12:49

Wow. I am simply savouring the songs by their very listing!

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 28 Jun 2014, 13:23

RSachi

1.'O Rangasayee'-Thyagaraja-Kambodi
2. 'Badalika Teera pavvalinchave'-Thyagaraja-Reetigowla
3. 'Baala Gopala'-M.Dikshita-Bhairavi
4. 'Raamachandram Bhaavayaami'-M.Dikshita-Vasantha
5. 'Neene Dayalo Nirmala Chitha Govinda'-Purandara Dasa-Ananda Bhairavi

Restricting selection to FIVE only, feeling very guilty

munirao2001

bhakthim dehi · Post by **bhakthim dehi** » 28 Jun 2014, 15:08

1. Karu Baru
2. Pahimam Rathnachalanayaka
3. Meru samana
4. Rama katha
5. Chetan Sri Balakrushnam
To name a few

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 28 Jun 2014, 16:24

Wonderful, folks.
Here is my plan. One week from now you will have a catalogue of your choices. With lyric, meaning if possible and a link to an audio in the public domain where possible.
Imagine what a feast it will be! Curated content. :ymapplause:

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 28 Jun 2014, 17:00

I am looking for a lot more choices from a lot many rasikas.

S.NAGESWARAN · Post by **S.NAGESWARAN** » 28 Jun 2014, 18:21

1.Kana kan koti vendum.
2. Manavyalakim.
3. Bhavanutha.
4.Meenakshi memudam.
5.Sarasa mukhi

S.Nageswaran.
28.06.2014.

vsarmaiitm · Post by **vsarmaiitm** » 28 Jun 2014, 18:23

nadachi nadachi - kharahara priya (T)
Entha muddo - bindu mAlini (T)
swara rAga sudha - Sankarabharanam (T)
paramAtmudu veligE - vAgadeeswari (T)
tanayuni bRova - bhiravi (T)

needless to say I am a Tyagaraja bhaktha !

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 28 Jun 2014, 18:33

Beautiful, folks...

kedharam · Post by **kedharam** » 28 Jun 2014, 18:46

Not fair. Just 5 from an ocean?

mInAkSi mE mudam - Purvikalyani- MD
thiruvaDi sharaNam – Kambhoji – GB
rAvE himagirikumAri – Thodi – SS
bhajarE re citta –kalyani – MD
mAmava sadA varadE - nattakurinji – ST

Viriboni in bhairavi, please:)

Viswambar Sethuraman · Post by **Viswambar Sethuraman** » 28 Jun 2014, 19:14

Just five from sangeethasaagaram ?Tough job ...let me see
1)kartigeya gangeya- Todi ( shall i take the liberty to call it the King of Ragas?)
2)Janani maamava- Bhairavi( the queen of ragas ?)-Swathi Thirunal
3)Janaki pathe-Kharaharapriya-Papanasam Sivan
4)Needhu mahima -Hamsanandi-Muthiah Bhagavadhar
5)Evan yaaro-padham- Kambodhi- Kavi Kunjara Bharathi

This topic is just great.Thank you Rsachi ji for starting this thread.

thanjavooran · Post by **thanjavooran** » 28 Jun 2014, 19:25

Sankari neeve Begada S R Sastri
Ranganayakam Nayagi MD
Sokasukha Sriranjani T
chkkani raja KP T
Saroja dhala netri Sankarabharanam SS

Thanjavooran
28 06 2014

Navaneedham · Post by **Navaneedham** » 28 Jun 2014, 19:38

My beloved Five would be
1.Sri Sathyanarayanam- subhapantuvarali- MD
2.Kaana Kan Kodi- Kambodhi- P.Sivan
3.Ramanuku mannan - Hindolam- Arunachala Kavirayar
4.Nannu vidachi- Reethi gowlai-Tyagarajar
5.Kamalaptha kula- Brindavana Saranga- Tyagarajar

5.All perfect Todi and Bhairavi renditions could make me weep.

balakk · Post by **balakk** » 29 Jun 2014, 06:52

My Racy five with a western touch:

- Telisi rama - purnachandrika
- Vidajaaladura - janaranjani
- Enthavedhukondu - saraswathi manohari
- Paridhana michite - bilahari
- Lalgudi's Desh thillana

I can hear these songs anywhere/any place/any time/sung/played by anybody.

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 29 Jun 2014, 07:50

Thiruvadi saranam - kambhodhi - GKB
Chakkaniraja - KHP- T
Inthasowkhyamani - Kapi- T
Akhilandeswari - Jujavanti - D
Thunbam nerkaiyil - Desh - Bharathidasan

Aditto · Post by **Aditto** » 29 Jun 2014, 12:22

Giriraja Sutha - Bangala - T
Dwaitamu - Reetigowla - T
Varijadala - Arabhi - Lalita Dasar
Ela Nee Dayaraadu - Atana - T
Swararagasudha - Sankarabharanam - T

Purist · Post by **Purist** » 29 Jun 2014, 20:59

Kaligiyunte - Keeravani (T)
Hiranmayeem - lalitha (MD)
Koluvamare -Thodi (T)
Paramathmudu -Vagadeeswari (T)
Kanakashaila -Punnagavarali (SS)

My fingers refuse to stop typing, but I am forcing them

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 29 Jun 2014, 21:04

Thank you for your enthusiasm as well as sticking to just five. Over time I have tested myself about life's choices.. How would I respond to such constraints.

bala94ms · Post by **bala94ms** » 30 Jun 2014, 06:08

Jambupathe - Yamuna Kalyani - MD
Varugalamo - Manji - GK
Gajavadana Sammodita - Todi - Kumara Ettendra
Swara Raga Sudha - Sankarabharanam - T
Kamalabam Bhajare - Kalyani - MD

rahm221 · Post by **rahm221** » 30 Jun 2014, 08:38

Kamalambam Bajare - MD
Seshachala Nayakam - MD
Dinamani Vamsa -T
Sankari sankuru - SS
Ninnarul Iyambalaguma - P Sivan

isramesh · Post by **isramesh** » 30 Jun 2014, 10:35

Extremely difficult task! Its easier to pick from other's lists rather than think about mine.
Randomly selected from many favorites:

Rama Neeyeda - T
Inta Saukhyamani - T
Mamava Pattabhirama - MD
O Jagadamba - SS
Mitri Bhagyame - T

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 30 Jun 2014, 13:43

1.Madyamavati Palinchu Kamakshi

2.Sri Endaro Mahanubhavulu

3.Mohana - Bhavanuta (especially by MSG)

4.Bilahari - sri Chamundeshwari Palayamam

5.Jagadhodarana adisidale yesoda

csuresh · Post by **csuresh** » 30 Jun 2014, 14:02

My top 5 are
1.Sarojadala -Shankarabharanam-SS
2.Jambupathe-Yamunakalyani-MD
3.kapali-Mohanam-Shivan
4.mOkshamu galada- saaramati-Thyagaraja
5.Parimala ranganatham-hamirkalyani-MD

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 30 Jun 2014, 15:15

These five are all time great:

The Pancharatna Kritis are:

Jagadananda Karaka - Ragam Natai
Duduku gala - Ragam Goula
Sadhinchane - Ragam Arabhi
Kanakana Ruchira - Ragam Varali
Endaro Mahanubhavulu - Sri Ragam

These are he krities rendered by all artists together with all varities of instruments at one place..

braindrain · Post by **braindrain** » 30 Jun 2014, 18:10

Staying away from my perennial favourites,

rAma ninnE nammi - husEni
rAsa vilAsa - kAmbOji
srI kAmakOTi pIThasthitE - sAvEri
bhakti bhiksha - SankarAbharaNam
shyAma sundarAga - dhanyAsi

makham · Post by **makham** » 30 Jun 2014, 18:13

1. Baale Baalendhu - Ritigowla - T
2. Kshitija ramanam - Devagandhari - MD
3. Anandavalli - Nilambari - Swati
4. Saagara sayana - Bageshri - MDR
5. Kamakshi (swarajati) - Yadukulakhamboji - SS

GNB_LGJ_PR · Post by **GNB_LGJ_PR** » 30 Jun 2014, 22:27

1) All pancharatna krithis of T(Ghanaraga, Lalgudi, Kovur......)
2) Kamalamba navavarna krithis of MD
3) SS (Super Swarajathis) of SS (Bhairavi, Yadhukula Kambhoji and Todi)
4) Ranjani mridhu pankaja lochani (Ranjani ragamalika) of Thanjavur Sankara Iyer
5) Thillanas of LGJ

Not able to cover Padams, Javallis and a lot more.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 01 Jul 2014, 03:48

An aside...

I'm not a film buff, in fact I know very little about films at all, and don't have much interest, but...

I know everybody says, "Play it again, Sam," but the last time I saw Casablanca, I noticed that the line is actually, "Play it, Sam."

Pedants'r'Us... Round up all the usual suspects!

)

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 01 Jul 2014, 06:45

Nick,
I love Casablanca. I have the DVD. I am aware of the misquote. I purposely put it there.
It's interesting the misquote even inspired an eponymous Woody Allen movie!
please send all entries by Thu 3 July 9 am IST so I can then put it into an excel table with all links!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 01 Jul 2014, 13:26

Aside again...

The misquote is so universal that the real quote probably wouldn't be recognised!

You probably know that they made the film without a completed script. They made it up as they went along! There may well be other famous sayings*, as well as that and the usual suspects one.

Sorry, I am not knowledgeable enough to contribute five favourite composition. Barely knowledgeable enough to name five!

*Of all the bars in the world...

etc.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 01 Jul 2014, 18:09

Nick,
In a way, you are more qualified to choose the five from the ones you know--because, look at the way many struggle to make the choice! There are far too many favorites to choose just five from. Supposing the songs themselves belonged to a forum as we rasikAs do, they would have raised hell, asserting that the pancha ratna kritis have an edge, the popularized ones by famous ones do too, and so on.

Excuse me Sachi, five in each language is more like a reasonable number, and I have been hesitating to choose among hundreds of favorites, though two of the ones I adore have recurred in posts

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 01 Jul 2014, 19:35

Arasi, you know best.

What you say reminds me of an episode. In late 60s and 70s Kishore Kumar started becoming a rage. He started giving shows called Kishore Kumar Nite.

Someone went to Mohammad Rafi, the all time great in Bollywood, and asked him how come he didn't have his own Rafi Nite shows. He replied, "it would have to be Rafi week or something, as my hits would fit into a short four hour show ever."

MaheshS · Post by **MaheshS** » 01 Jul 2014, 21:27

1. Akshayalingavibho - Shankarabaranam
2. Bhajare Re Chitha - Kalyani
3. Jagadanandakaraka - Nattai
4. Amba Kamaskshi - Bhairavi
5. Kapali - Mohanam

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 01 Jul 2014, 22:21

Sorry, I am not knowledgeable enough to contribute five favourite composition.

Nick
We are knowledgeable of your tastes . Permit meto cull out five from the repertoire of your favourite singer.

RSachis final collage cannot be denied, this element of exotic conservatism

1.bhaktuni cAritramu - bEgaDa - tyAgarAja
2.Avalokayata - Kurinji - Narayana Thirtha
3.guru guha svAmini - bhAnumati - DIKSH
4.Mammu Brochu - Simhendra Madhyama - Veene Kuppier
5.Neeve Gati - Kalyani - Shyama Sastri

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 02 Jul 2014, 02:06

Permitted, by all means

Now I must go and seek...

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 02 Jul 2014, 10:30

This is a challenging exercise Sachi but no less interesting and illuminating.

It is of course impossible to come up with one list of five as others have also stated. I think it makes sense to come up with personal pancharatnas for different bhAvAs they invoke in us. To play along with the stipulations of Sachi, I will go with these five. They have some commonality in how they appeal to me emotionally.

ElAvatAramettukoNTivi - mukhAri
kAlai tUkki ninRADum deivamE - yadukula kambhOji
Sankari nIvE - Begada
rArA mAyiNTidAka - asAvEri
inta saukhyamani nE ceppa jAla - kApi