Carnatic in Movies 8: Panthuvarali

Here is one raaga that feels light but very deep. I forget myself completely whenever I hear the alapana or neraval of this - especially "Siva Siva Ena Radha". I do not know the relation to other raagas. In fact in one of the stories of Sujatha, one character will ask whatz the difference between Panthuvarali and Kamavarthini. And some say the song Siva Siva Ena Radha is in fact Kamavarthini. I am not sure of that but my little understanding of the raaga (assuming Panthuvarali :-)), here are few of my favorites:

1. "Shobane" of Thyagaraja by Dr.M.Balamurali Krishna
2. "Siva siva ena radha" of Thyagaraja sung by Dr.K.J.Yesudas
3. "Raguvara Nannu" of Thyagaraja sung by Dr.K.J.Yesudas
4. "Paadhi Madhi Nadhi" of Arunagiri Nadhar sung by Dr.K.J.Yesudas
5. "Ninne Nera Nammi Naanura" of Thyagaraja sung by Dr.K.J.Yesudas
6. "Kaani Nilam Vendum" of Mahakavi Subramania Bharathy sung by Sudha Ragunathan, Sowmya et al.

There are several songs in movies that I could find:

1. "Ezhu Swarangalukkul" by Vani Jayaram from the movie Apoorva Ragangal
2. "Azhaikkiraan Madhavan (First stanza) by Dr.K.J.Yesudas from the movie Ragavendrar
3. "Devi Devi Thenil Kulithene by S.P.Balasubramaniam from an old movie
4. "Kangal Theduthe Kavi Paduthe" from the movie Manathodu Mazhaikkaalam
5. "Hey Rama Hey Kya Hua" from the movie Rangeela

There is something special about this raaga. I still remember the days when I was crazy of this raaga that even I decided to name kids or house to sound this word :-)

Hear it yourself and tell me.

Carnatic in Movies 7: Malayamarutham

Have you ever heard the raaga 'Malayamarutham' especially in the morning? The one word equivalent for mellifluous - a perfect raaga for morning. It just flows! Ever since I heard the first song 'Manasa Etulo' by Thyagaraja several years ago, I wanted to write this. Dr.M.Balamurali Krishna gave his best to this song. I was waiting for my favorite guru Dr.K.J.Yesudas to sing this as I have never seen this in any of his albums. I was fortunate to hear in one of his live concerts. Superb!

There are few other songs in authentic carnatic:

1. Dhanyu devado Darsarathe in Telugu by Dr.K.J.Yesudas
2. Oraaru Mugamum in Tamil by T.M.Soundarajan
3. Brahma Kamalam in Malayalam Dr.K.J.Yesudas

In movies, I could find few real good ones:

1. "Neeala Kuyile Unnodu Than" by Ilayaraja
   
2. "Kanmani Nee Vara Kaathirundhen" by Ilayaraja
   
3. "Ragasiyamai" by Karthik Raja
4. "Thumba Poovil" in Malayalam by Dr.K.J.Yesudas
5. "Malaya Marutha Raaga" in Kannada by Dr.K.J.Yesudas

Great raaga, really! Try the Hindusthani version by Hari Prasad Chaurasia in MusicIndiaOnline.com to appreciate the raaga in flute.

Carnatic in Movies 6: Amritha Varshini

Recently heard a superb melody again from Vidyasagar in a Tamil Movie - "Ding Dong Koyil Mani" - excellent song set in Amrutha Varshini raaga. Nice to hear this raaga in movies after "Thoongatha Vizhigal Rendu" by Ilayaraja. I am not aware of any from A.R.Rehman composed in this raaga.

The best carnatic song is "Aanandhamrutha Varshini, Amrutha Varshini" (Bombay Jayashree's rendition is just mellifluous).

My other favorites are:

1. "Thaamarai Malar Thaaye" by Yesudas
2. "Eesaa Un Paadham" by Yesudas
3. "Aadi Varuvaai Guhane" by Yesudas

Wonderful raaga, really! Singing this raaga with dedication is supposed to bring rain - not sure of it but at least the raaga fills your ear full of rich music.

Carnatic in Movies 5: Kalyani

Kalyani is such a popular and wonderful raaga that attracts many. I hear from experts that its a simple raaga. The ones that I enjoyed hearing from Carnatic are:

1. Eatha Vunaraa sung by Yesudas by Thyagaraja
   
2. Bajare Rejitha sung by Yesudas
3. Sakalamamum Tharupaval sung by Yesudas
4. En Nenjil Palli Kondavan sung by Yesudas
5. Vanajakshi (varnam) sung by Yesudas

In Tamil cinema, I could find many:

1. Kalaivaniye from Sindhu Bhairavi by Ilayaraja
   
2. Vanthaal Mahalakshmiye from Uyarndha Ullam by Ilayaraja
   
3. Kanmani Nee Vara Kaathirundhen from the movie by Ilayaraja
   
4. Sandhikka Thudithen Ponmane from the movie Vedham Pudhithu by Ilayaraja
5. Kaatril Varum Geethame from the movie Oru Naal Oru Kanavu by Ilayaraja
6. Amma Endru Azhaikkadha by Ilayaraja
7. Janani Janani by Ilayaraja
   
8. Theekuriviyena from Kankalaal Kaidhu Sei by A.R.Rehman
   
9. Varaga Nadhikara from Sangamam by A.R.Rehman (or is it Yaman Kalyani?)
10. Mazhayum Neeye from the movie Azhagan by Maragathamani
    

Kalyani must by Ilayaraja's favorite too I guess as there are many compositions he did and all of them hit too. That shows the use of the raaga and its simplicity reaching several.

I also enjoy the song Saayanthanam from the Malayalam movie Kamalathalam. From my understanding, this is Kalyani too. Try listening in musicindiaonline.com here

Carnatic in Movies 4: Sindhu Bhairavi

Sindhu Bhairavi is a wonderful raagaa. I thought I should mention this after hearing the song Hari Muralee Revam sung by Dr.K.J.Yesudas from the Malayalam movie Aaraam Thamburan. You will be amazed to hear the rendition of Yesudas - be it the long aalapana or neraval or the song - perfect for the ears.

There are several carnatic songs in this raaga:

1. Kannanai Kandayo... a carnatic song in Tamil by Dr.K.J.Yesudas
2. Venkata Chala Nilayam... a Purandhara Daasar composition by Unni Krishnan
3. Manathirkkugandadu... a carnatic composition by Thanjavur Shankara Iyer
   

And when it comes to Sindhu bhairavi in movies, I hear many:

1. Unakkenna Meley Nindraai... by SPB from the Tamil movie Simla Special
2. Maniyosai Kettu Ezhundhu... scored by Ilayaraja from the Tamil movie Payanangal Mudivathillai
3. Senbagame Senbagame... scored by Ilayaraja from the Tamil movie
4. Enna Satham Indha Neram...
scored by Ilayaraja from the Tamil movie Punnagai Mannan

5. Poongaatru Pudhiraanathu.... by Dr.K.J.Yesudas from the Tamil movie Moondram Pirai
6. Enge Enathu Kavithai... scored by A.R.Rehman from the Tamil movie Kandukonden Kandukonden

Both Bhairavi and Sindhu Bhairavi are pleasant to hear. As I understand, singing Bhairavi is tough and needs more practice than Sindhu Bhairavi. May be ligher version of Bhairavi? :-)

Carnatic in Movies 3: Sahana

There are many raagaas that are so mellifluous and make us feel light. Few are Aanandha Bhairavi, Malaya Maarutham, Sahana. Lets take Sahana this time.

The most ever popular song in Carnatic is Tyagaraja's Vandanamu. One of the best rendition of the song is by Dr.Bala Murali Krishna. I heard it 10 years ago first when one of my friend - KSVS Kumar from Rajamundry - had a cassette filled with Bala Murali's songs and one of it was this gem. The same song I also heard Bombay Jayashree singing 6 years ago.

I have heard few songs in movies that used Sahana like

• Paarthen... Rasithen... from an old movie
  
• Anbe Sugama... by AR Rehman from the movie Paarthaale Paravasam
  

But no one should forget the director K.Balachandar that popularized this raagaa in a tele serial: Indha Veenaikku Theriyaadhu...

You should hear this raaga to appreciate. Try the movie songs in raaga.com or do a search for sahana in musicindiaonline.com and you can hear.

Update: I forgot the famous Papanasam Sivan Kriti on Sahan "Chitham Irangadhadhu Enayya". Great composition!

Carnatic in Movies 2: Reetigowlai

When I first heard Reethi Gowlai raaga from the song "Enna Punniyam Seytheno" sung by my favorite singer K.J.Yesudas, I could think of the beautiful song "Thalayai Kuniyum Thamaraye", a duet scored by Ilayaraja and sung by S.P.Balasubramaniyam and a female singer (I don't know who). The song looked 100% authentic but a great song to hear.

"Chinna Kannan Azhaikkiraan" of Balamuralikrishna is another example of the raaga.

After a long time, I found A.R.Rehman using this raaga in his song "Azhagana Raakshsiye" but somehow I did not find it impressive. It was again sung by S.P.Balasubramaniyam.

My latest favorite is Vidyasagar using this raaga in the song "Sudum Nilavu" sung by Unni Krishnan and Harini. The song is nicely set in this raaga and the melody just flows in your ears. The words "Kaadhalithu Paar" by Harini is really sweet. Excellent work Vidyasagar! No wonder you like scoring melody songs where you do the best.

Carnatic in Movies 1: Hamsanandhi

One of my favorites - Have you ever tried listening to this raaga? Yesudas has sung many songs in this raaga (must be his favorite too :-) Some of them I recall:

• Paavana Guru in Malayalam
• Guruvina Gulama in Kannada
• Kanden Thozhudhen in Tamil
• Abagara Nindhai in Tamil

The raaga is very mesmerizing and set in several of the songs in Tamil movies

• Vedham Anuvilum in Salangai Oli
• Raaga Deepam Etrum Neram in Payanangal Mudivathillay
• Rathiriyil Poothirukkum in Moondru Mugam
• Putham Puthu Poo Poothatho in Dhalapathy

Incidentally all songs are popular.

I have also heard Bombay Jayashree singing one song: Srinivasa Thiru Venkata Mudayan set in the same raaga.

Try this raaga in Music India Online. You will yourself understand the uniqueness and the magical power this has. I am not sure if it has any medicinal effect.

Got to check with Kunnakkudi :-)