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.