Rajeswari Satish

Rajeswari Satish

Sree Raghuvara- Devagandhari-Adi-Tyagaraja

 

A couple of years ago, I had the chance to learn this composition of Tyagaraja in Devagandhari, and I loved it right away. I have a special affinity for Devagandhari. This is such an evocative raga, and Tyagaraja is a master at it, having composed about ten compositions, each with a different flavor. A slow composition in Devagandhari poses special challenges to the vocalist, as we see with this one and Ksheerasagara Sayana.

 

Sri Raghuvara Karunakara Neepada chintaname Jeevanamu

Supreme among the Raghus! Merciful Lord! The only aim of my lifeis to be contemplating your feet

Varana Rakshaka Bhaktajanagha Nivarana San mrdubhashana Sadguna

Protector of Gajendra! Remover of devotees' sins! One with mellifluous speech! O Virtuous!

Raja Raja Vandita Padayuga Dinaraja Rajanayana Palitamara

Raja! Rajapujita Sri Tyagaraja Raja Raghava Nannu brovumu

One whose feet are worshipped by Kubera, the lord of wealth, One who has the sun and moon as eyes, Protector of Devendra, Worshipped by kings, Lord of Tyagaraja, Protect me

 

(Lyrics and meaning: Courtesy: Compositions of Tyagaraja by T.K. Govinda Rao)

Week 2 : Swati Tirunal kriti in Kannada ragam, Misra chapu

 

This Swati Tirunal kriti is very dear to me because my guru Sangeetacharya Sri C.S. Krishna Iyer was directly involved in tuning it. He worked very closely with Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer on tuning several Swati kritis. This one, if I am not mistaken, was one of the kritis that Sri Krishna Iyer undertook wholly.

Composed in praise of Sri Padmanabha, the kriti's meaning is as follows (courtesy: Compositions of Maharaja Sri Swati tirunal by Sri T.K. Govinda Rao)

I worship the beautiful lad of Nanda. O' the foremost, your lotus feet are worshipped by Brahma. He is the gem of the moon dynasty, He has a moon-like face, He is the destroyer of all sins. He punishes those who touble mother Earth. He is Lord Padmanabha, worshipped by blemishless minds. 

You can listen to this kriti here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AioXS_jOLAw

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