In the 1950s, Stanford psychologist Leon Festinger famously used the term "cognitive dissonance" to describe the discomfort we feel when our behaviors don't align with our beliefs. Festinger found that people will go to great lengths to reduce dissonance. In one well-known experiment, those who had been asked to falsely claim that a boring task - placing spools on a tray, for instance - was fun were later found to have persuaded themselves that the task really was fun. They had crossed over from hypocrisy to something more pathetic: self-deception.
On the other hand one could argue that this same group of people found out creative ways to entertain the bored mind over the repetitive (and simple) task. Now that would possibly account for how much the mind attunes itself to the predicament in question and how much it assumes this state of repetitive activity would continue on. To explain that last statement better lets take the case of punishment by imprisonment. After the initial few days of 'aclimatizing' with the jailed surroundings, the time that a prisoner potentially takes to get attuned to the place and other inmates is inversely proportional to the period of stay. That is to say a prisoner with a few years of judgement under his/her belt is likely to find creative ways to entertain himself / herself in imprisonment versus one handed down the capital imprisonment.
Having stated that, I do understand that one could potentially argue the opposite too and present a mounting evidence to support that case. I do not have anything other than the tremendous possbilities of the human mind to expand and adapt to situations and people to offer as a plausible excuse to such a trend!
In this light, is getting married, having kids and so advancing conservatism in life, a heartfelt, doomed effort to change sexuality, or just a hypocritical ploy by the clouded mind?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Of Independence, Waking up and Actions!
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depths of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of Freedom, my Father, let my country awake!!
- Rabindranath Tagore
60 years of waking up and still the trumpets are calling out, ever vigilant and noisy at the doorsteps of this huge Kumbhakarna!! These words by the eminent poet and the ardent patriot is no less relevant today than it was 60 years back..........
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depths of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of Freedom, my Father, let my country awake!!
- Rabindranath Tagore
60 years of waking up and still the trumpets are calling out, ever vigilant and noisy at the doorsteps of this huge Kumbhakarna!! These words by the eminent poet and the ardent patriot is no less relevant today than it was 60 years back..........
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
A typical day out of my memories from childhood...!!
Nostalgia calls....!!
-->Karagre Vasathe Lakshmi Karamadhye Saraswati.......
-->Aathu filter kaapi
-->Vashalla oru periya maakkolam
-->Kaarthala kulichu varumbothu oothupathiyooda vasanai - with poojai-mani satham in the background
-->Amma's humming of slokam as she works about in the kitchen
-->Ellarum serndu deeparadhanai thozharathu and theertham sevikkarathu
-->Elaila parumaari saapdarathu
-->Kaiyila vazhiyara payasatha nakki nakki kudikkarathu
-->Post chappadu vethalai with paakku and chunnambu
-->A typical fanatic following of cricket and opinionated dicussions along with a patriotic reverence to the Hindu Paper
-->Madyannam nanna koratta vittundu pootti poottundu thoongarathu
-->Sayandaram randu moonnu manineram cricket
-->MS-oda vishnusahasranamam
-->Varussaya okkandu amma kaila kaila chadam podarathu (typically for dinner)
- chadathula ootta pottundu nadoola vethakozhambu vittundu labakkunu muzhungarathu!
-->Radio-la Semmangudi, Santhanam, illena DKP or Lalgudi, MSG ipdi yaaravathu kutchery kaettundu meduvva thookathula vazhukki vizharathu......
-->Maavadam, mavadu, vetthal, murukku, thattai, cheedai, ellurundai, vadai................................
(sigh!!)
-->Karagre Vasathe Lakshmi Karamadhye Saraswati.......
-->Aathu filter kaapi
-->Vashalla oru periya maakkolam
-->Kaarthala kulichu varumbothu oothupathiyooda vasanai - with poojai-mani satham in the background
-->Amma's humming of slokam as she works about in the kitchen
-->Ellarum serndu deeparadhanai thozharathu and theertham sevikkarathu
-->Elaila parumaari saapdarathu
-->Kaiyila vazhiyara payasatha nakki nakki kudikkarathu
-->Post chappadu vethalai with paakku and chunnambu
-->A typical fanatic following of cricket and opinionated dicussions along with a patriotic reverence to the Hindu Paper
-->Madyannam nanna koratta vittundu pootti poottundu thoongarathu
-->Sayandaram randu moonnu manineram cricket
-->MS-oda vishnusahasranamam
-->Varussaya okkandu amma kaila kaila chadam podarathu (typically for dinner)
- chadathula ootta pottundu nadoola vethakozhambu vittundu labakkunu muzhungarathu!
-->Radio-la Semmangudi, Santhanam, illena DKP or Lalgudi, MSG ipdi yaaravathu kutchery kaettundu meduvva thookathula vazhukki vizharathu......
-->Maavadam, mavadu, vetthal, murukku, thattai, cheedai, ellurundai, vadai................................
(sigh!!)
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Lost in Chakravakam........
...said the title for the song that was playing. Was reading through a friends blog where he'd written a siru kavidhai.....in the lines of good ol' Shakespeare's "All the World's a stage..."
Ulagamenum medaiyil nadika
Naanum oru nadigan...(courtesy: Soul Doctor aka Karthik)
Thought inspiring words indeed...
I don't decide when or where I enter this colourful place we call 'our' world!
I don't decide where or how I grow up.......
I don't decide finally where I end up making a career (even my efforts on this front only make for a part of the end result! If not how do u explain us having to change careers as times move on...)
I do not remember clearly what all happened when I was a child....
I do not even remember instances more than about a 5 years back....
For the last 5 years, I do not even recall the finer details....
I may recall certain things from the last year or even the last few months....
Now I do not know what the next 5 years are going to bring....yeah - and they ask you during the interview process - Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?!!!!! And we are supposed to answer in a positive manner.....BS, I say!!
I don't even know what the next year is bringing in...nor the next few months....not even the next few days!!!
Such an unexplained existence full of questions and no answers yet......though amply accompanied by this humongous amounts of ego! 'I' this, 'I' that, 'Me' here, 'Me' there......
Where does that leave us, I wonder!
'Live in the Present' - remains an interesting answer for the moment. Somehow, that also seems a point in time answer...No, not even an answer, and escape of sorts? And that certainly does not answer some of the questions posed earlier..............
Ulagamenum medaiyil nadika
Naanum oru nadigan...(courtesy: Soul Doctor aka Karthik)
Thought inspiring words indeed...
I don't decide when or where I enter this colourful place we call 'our' world!
I don't decide where or how I grow up.......
I don't decide finally where I end up making a career (even my efforts on this front only make for a part of the end result! If not how do u explain us having to change careers as times move on...)
I do not remember clearly what all happened when I was a child....
I do not even remember instances more than about a 5 years back....
For the last 5 years, I do not even recall the finer details....
I may recall certain things from the last year or even the last few months....
Now I do not know what the next 5 years are going to bring....yeah - and they ask you during the interview process - Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?!!!!! And we are supposed to answer in a positive manner.....BS, I say!!
I don't even know what the next year is bringing in...nor the next few months....not even the next few days!!!
Such an unexplained existence full of questions and no answers yet......though amply accompanied by this humongous amounts of ego! 'I' this, 'I' that, 'Me' here, 'Me' there......
Where does that leave us, I wonder!
'Live in the Present' - remains an interesting answer for the moment. Somehow, that also seems a point in time answer...No, not even an answer, and escape of sorts? And that certainly does not answer some of the questions posed earlier..............
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Swaying Sahana....
The dictionary meaning of 'Sahana' says - powerful, strong, patient, enduring etc.
A friend of mine send an mp3 for the song - 'Indha Veenaikku Theriyaadu' from the Tamil serial 'Rail Snegam', earlier today. Listening to it I was moved (as Sahana does to me always) by the slow mellifluous tunes of the raga, and I traversed on to a blissful state of finding joy out of sadness or pain. As conradictory as that sounds, I have to say that is where Sahana precisely leaves me - happy to be dwelling in the mellow state of nostalgia that the raga pushes me into, satisfied yet exhausted at the end of it!! I remember reading 'pulling the heart strings...' somewhere and what this raga does to you could be aptly summed up by that phrase...
And so I ventured out into the wide open to look for details. Though I cannot possibly vouch to the information I have compiled here, here's some interesting literature on the raga. These are mostly stuff I collected from the net from different sources and added a few thoughts myself. I am thankful to KT for sending this mp3 over which prompted me to go dig this up!!
Name and Origin - 'Sahana' derives from the word 'shah-na'. It is believed that this must have been a raga invented in the north (much after the mughal invasion) and hence must belong to the Hindustani family! Sahana must have gone through immense evolution and hence 'lost' all its 'hindustani' traces as it exists in the Carnatic system today.
Sahana is believed to be first mentioned as a derivative of the Kambhoji mela by Paidala Gurumurthy Sastri. The use of the raga mudra technique by Dikshitar leads to the possibility of the name of this raga having been Shana.
Sahana is a recent inclusion in terms of carnatic music history. It is believed to have become popular just prior to the time of the Cranatic Trinity. Sahana is described as a Ranjakatva Ubhaya Vakra raga. This broadly means that the raga could be classified as 'asthetic' or 'pleasing' etc.
Arohana and Avarohana:
Arohanam Sa1 Ri2 Ga3 Ma1 Pa Ma1 Dha2 Ni2 Sa2
Avarohanam Sa2 Ni2 Dha2 Pa Ma1 Ga3 Ma1 Ri2 Ga3 Ri2 Sa1
This raga has vakra prayogams on both the arohanam and avarohanam. Vakram is something that deviates away from the normal trends or patterns that a raga traces along the octave. The Gandharam in this raga is specially named as Trisanku Gandharam, which is neither sadharana gandaram nor anthara gandaram. It is somewere in between those two. Sahana is considered a janya/derivative of either the 28th melakartha Harikamboji, or the 22nd melakartha Kharaharapriya, with a known exception credited to the Trisanku Gandharam. This raga is purported to be better learnt through listening and appreciation rather than pure academic knowledge.
The Sadharana Gandhara is used sparingly - as 'alpathvam' (not freely/frequently used).Most of the songs use the Antara Gandhara while few use the Sadharana Gandhara. This raga is a believed to be a bit restrictive, in the sense that the patterns followed during alapana, gamakas, and swaraprastaram are limited - this prayogam is called Mithathavam. ( Ref. Bahuthvam, Mithathvam, Alpathvam). Rishabham & Nishadham act as jeeva swarams and are used with gamakams while rendering and it is mostly the pivot of many songs in this raga.
Chaya Swaram: Ri Ni
Nyasa Swaram: Ri Ni Dha Pa
Dheerga Swaram: Dha Ma
Gamaka Swaram: Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni (even within these, generally Ga is often used without the gamaka to create a pathos)
Sahana being a ranjakatva(pleasing to the ears) raga is generally rendered in a very slow pace.The importance of bhava is exemplified by a slow pace and this requires that the singer is appropriately experienced and can bring out the essense of the raga in order to rock the listeners emotions. Generally Sahana is not taken up for elaboration (as a Main piece) in concerts. It is (appropriately) used as one of the thukkadas sung towards the end. This raga sounds really good rendered on instruments like Veena ,flute and violin....
Karuna Rasa pradhanam:
“Chittam Iranga denaiyaa sendil velaiyaa nin.....
Bhaktark kirangum dheena bandu enrunnai nambi...” These lines quite literally beg for karunai, sympathy from the Almighty!!
In “vandanamu raghunandana aa
sEtu bandhana bhakta chandana” Sahana raga in beautiful slow movement with elegant simplicity brings devotion.
Aesthetic Sahana with the jeeva swaras and the right gamakas mainly elicit devotion and karunai!
Some Carnatic Compositions:
Songs like Vandhanamu, Giripai,Ee Vasudha by Thyagaraja;
Sri Kamalambikayam, Abhayambayam - by Muthuswami Dikshitar;
More recently Papanasam Sivan has composed Sri Vathapi Gananapathiye that serves as a notable number to start the concert with. Another popular P.Sivan song is 'Chittam Irangathathenaiyya', often rendered by Sanjay Subramaniam over the last 2-3 years.
Some songs from the tinsel town -
'Swapnangal' from the movie 'Kavyamela' composed by Dakshinamoorthy. It is a ragamaalika with the pallavi and the anupallavi set to Sahana and the rest to Shanmukhapriya!
'Parthen Sirithen' from Veera Abhimanyu
'Then Kizhakku cheemayila' from Kizakku cheemaila
'Anbe Sugama' from Parthale Paravasam
'Kannamoochi' from Kandukonden Kandukonden is mainly set to Natta Kurinji. But the song has just a trace of sahana in one of the lines...'Un idazh Kondu vai mooda vaa en Kanna... the brief alapanai after this line is set to Sahana.
A friend of mine send an mp3 for the song - 'Indha Veenaikku Theriyaadu' from the Tamil serial 'Rail Snegam', earlier today. Listening to it I was moved (as Sahana does to me always) by the slow mellifluous tunes of the raga, and I traversed on to a blissful state of finding joy out of sadness or pain. As conradictory as that sounds, I have to say that is where Sahana precisely leaves me - happy to be dwelling in the mellow state of nostalgia that the raga pushes me into, satisfied yet exhausted at the end of it!! I remember reading 'pulling the heart strings...' somewhere and what this raga does to you could be aptly summed up by that phrase...
And so I ventured out into the wide open to look for details. Though I cannot possibly vouch to the information I have compiled here, here's some interesting literature on the raga. These are mostly stuff I collected from the net from different sources and added a few thoughts myself. I am thankful to KT for sending this mp3 over which prompted me to go dig this up!!
Name and Origin - 'Sahana' derives from the word 'shah-na'. It is believed that this must have been a raga invented in the north (much after the mughal invasion) and hence must belong to the Hindustani family! Sahana must have gone through immense evolution and hence 'lost' all its 'hindustani' traces as it exists in the Carnatic system today.
Sahana is believed to be first mentioned as a derivative of the Kambhoji mela by Paidala Gurumurthy Sastri. The use of the raga mudra technique by Dikshitar leads to the possibility of the name of this raga having been Shana.
Sahana is a recent inclusion in terms of carnatic music history. It is believed to have become popular just prior to the time of the Cranatic Trinity. Sahana is described as a Ranjakatva Ubhaya Vakra raga. This broadly means that the raga could be classified as 'asthetic' or 'pleasing' etc.
Arohana and Avarohana:
Arohanam Sa1 Ri2 Ga3 Ma1 Pa Ma1 Dha2 Ni2 Sa2
Avarohanam Sa2 Ni2 Dha2 Pa Ma1 Ga3 Ma1 Ri2 Ga3 Ri2 Sa1
This raga has vakra prayogams on both the arohanam and avarohanam. Vakram is something that deviates away from the normal trends or patterns that a raga traces along the octave. The Gandharam in this raga is specially named as Trisanku Gandharam, which is neither sadharana gandaram nor anthara gandaram. It is somewere in between those two. Sahana is considered a janya/derivative of either the 28th melakartha Harikamboji, or the 22nd melakartha Kharaharapriya, with a known exception credited to the Trisanku Gandharam. This raga is purported to be better learnt through listening and appreciation rather than pure academic knowledge.
The Sadharana Gandhara is used sparingly - as 'alpathvam' (not freely/frequently used).Most of the songs use the Antara Gandhara while few use the Sadharana Gandhara. This raga is a believed to be a bit restrictive, in the sense that the patterns followed during alapana, gamakas, and swaraprastaram are limited - this prayogam is called Mithathavam. ( Ref. Bahuthvam, Mithathvam, Alpathvam). Rishabham & Nishadham act as jeeva swarams and are used with gamakams while rendering and it is mostly the pivot of many songs in this raga.
Chaya Swaram: Ri Ni
Nyasa Swaram: Ri Ni Dha Pa
Dheerga Swaram: Dha Ma
Gamaka Swaram: Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni (even within these, generally Ga is often used without the gamaka to create a pathos)
Sahana being a ranjakatva(pleasing to the ears) raga is generally rendered in a very slow pace.The importance of bhava is exemplified by a slow pace and this requires that the singer is appropriately experienced and can bring out the essense of the raga in order to rock the listeners emotions. Generally Sahana is not taken up for elaboration (as a Main piece) in concerts. It is (appropriately) used as one of the thukkadas sung towards the end. This raga sounds really good rendered on instruments like Veena ,flute and violin....
Karuna Rasa pradhanam:
“Chittam Iranga denaiyaa sendil velaiyaa nin.....
Bhaktark kirangum dheena bandu enrunnai nambi...” These lines quite literally beg for karunai, sympathy from the Almighty!!
In “vandanamu raghunandana aa
sEtu bandhana bhakta chandana” Sahana raga in beautiful slow movement with elegant simplicity brings devotion.
Aesthetic Sahana with the jeeva swaras and the right gamakas mainly elicit devotion and karunai!
Some Carnatic Compositions:
Songs like Vandhanamu, Giripai,Ee Vasudha by Thyagaraja;
Sri Kamalambikayam, Abhayambayam - by Muthuswami Dikshitar;
More recently Papanasam Sivan has composed Sri Vathapi Gananapathiye that serves as a notable number to start the concert with. Another popular P.Sivan song is 'Chittam Irangathathenaiyya', often rendered by Sanjay Subramaniam over the last 2-3 years.
Some songs from the tinsel town -
'Swapnangal' from the movie 'Kavyamela' composed by Dakshinamoorthy. It is a ragamaalika with the pallavi and the anupallavi set to Sahana and the rest to Shanmukhapriya!
'Parthen Sirithen' from Veera Abhimanyu
'Then Kizhakku cheemayila' from Kizakku cheemaila
'Anbe Sugama' from Parthale Paravasam
'Kannamoochi' from Kandukonden Kandukonden is mainly set to Natta Kurinji. But the song has just a trace of sahana in one of the lines...'Un idazh Kondu vai mooda vaa en Kanna... the brief alapanai after this line is set to Sahana.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Cricketing woes....
"We all have grown up seeing Tendulkar thrashing every bowling attack in the world. We have lived on chases and never-say-die attitude of Ganguly. And we are the ones who have witnessed the strength of the great indian Wall all our life. It's really been a great entertainment from these three. There will be better players but, there are heroes for every generation. My dad's time there was Gavaskar and mine were these three. It's unfortunate that these three will leave the cricket field without having a single worldcup on their name. I dont feel angry, I just feel sad. Really really sad......"
These were the words of a fan as published in Cricinfo....I absolutely emphatise with this person!
:(
These were the words of a fan as published in Cricinfo....I absolutely emphatise with this person!
:(
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Have not been into this space for a few days now - blame it on work, lazyness, a bout of illness, other distractions and such...
Unfortunately am not here to spend a long time today either - but saw this wonderful link posted on a forum, and wanted to post it here....
This gives verse by verse translation for Sri Rudram!
http://www.astrojyoti.com/namakam.htm
Unfortunately am not here to spend a long time today either - but saw this wonderful link posted on a forum, and wanted to post it here....
This gives verse by verse translation for Sri Rudram!
http://www.astrojyoti.com/namakam.htm
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshithaha....
- was the message For the millennium delivered by the 36th pontiff of Dhakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sri Bharatheetheertha Mahaswamigal!!
Everyone in this world wishes to live with happiness, peace and prosperity.
If this desire has to be fulfilled, then everyone should follow the path of "Dharma" and practice it in their daily life.
Several thousand years ago, our great saints, seers and wise men said,"Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshithaha" That translates to: "If we protect Dharma, Dharma will protect us"
Protection of Dharma does not mean mere adoration of Dharma. It is the effort of putting the principles of Dharma into practice. Every one of us desires supreme happiness not only in this birth but also in subsequent births or Janmas. No one will wish to have sufferings or sorrow in any birth.
"Dharma grants happiness and peace. Adharma makes life miserable with agony and sorrow," says our Sastra.
What is the true meaning or significance of Dharma?
Dharma means: Helping the poor and the needy. Dharma means: Worshipping and obeying God. Dharma means: To be in the company of persons endowed with purity and virtues. Dharma means: Listening and understanding matters that reflect divine values and virtues. Dharma teaches us to avoid avarice and to eschew the desire to possess others' wealth. Dharma is Ahimsa. It is merciful nature not to harm anyone through word, deed or mind at any time. Humanity should imbibe and always remember this virtue: Just like me, others too feel joy and sorrow. If someone abuses or hurts me, it pains. It is in the same way the other person will also suffer, if I abuse him. Therefore what I do not wish to happen to me, should not happen to others also.These values and virtues are universal.
"Athmanah prathikoolani pareshaam na samaachareth" - are the words of guidance from Sastras on these virtues.
"Don't do to others what is harmful to you" is the meaning of the above verse.
Violence is a great sin. Non-violence is the path of Dharma. If we wish to live in peace, happiness and harmony, we should live with love and faith.Peace will not be there, where lust and anger dwells. Only when we drop our lust and anger, we would be able to live with true happiness and in peace.We require God's grace in all our thoughts and deeds. Therefore we must pray to God with devotion, whenever we start any new activity.Our Ego and selfishness should be totally dropped, as Ego is the root cause of our evil deeds. Hence everyone should function totally devoid of Ego or "Ahankara".All the wisdom, capabilities and power that we possess are mercifully granted to us by God. Let us take an Oath "to use all our wisdom, capabilities and power in the service of God and in the service of humanity"
I read thru this again today and it still carries the powerful message and the tone as was intended a few years back! Thank the fact that my folks are over at Sringeri at this point that led me to looking this message up again after a while!
Everyone in this world wishes to live with happiness, peace and prosperity.
If this desire has to be fulfilled, then everyone should follow the path of "Dharma" and practice it in their daily life.
Several thousand years ago, our great saints, seers and wise men said,"Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshithaha" That translates to: "If we protect Dharma, Dharma will protect us"
Protection of Dharma does not mean mere adoration of Dharma. It is the effort of putting the principles of Dharma into practice. Every one of us desires supreme happiness not only in this birth but also in subsequent births or Janmas. No one will wish to have sufferings or sorrow in any birth.
"Dharma grants happiness and peace. Adharma makes life miserable with agony and sorrow," says our Sastra.
What is the true meaning or significance of Dharma?
Dharma means: Helping the poor and the needy. Dharma means: Worshipping and obeying God. Dharma means: To be in the company of persons endowed with purity and virtues. Dharma means: Listening and understanding matters that reflect divine values and virtues. Dharma teaches us to avoid avarice and to eschew the desire to possess others' wealth. Dharma is Ahimsa. It is merciful nature not to harm anyone through word, deed or mind at any time. Humanity should imbibe and always remember this virtue: Just like me, others too feel joy and sorrow. If someone abuses or hurts me, it pains. It is in the same way the other person will also suffer, if I abuse him. Therefore what I do not wish to happen to me, should not happen to others also.These values and virtues are universal.
"Athmanah prathikoolani pareshaam na samaachareth" - are the words of guidance from Sastras on these virtues.
"Don't do to others what is harmful to you" is the meaning of the above verse.
Violence is a great sin. Non-violence is the path of Dharma. If we wish to live in peace, happiness and harmony, we should live with love and faith.Peace will not be there, where lust and anger dwells. Only when we drop our lust and anger, we would be able to live with true happiness and in peace.We require God's grace in all our thoughts and deeds. Therefore we must pray to God with devotion, whenever we start any new activity.Our Ego and selfishness should be totally dropped, as Ego is the root cause of our evil deeds. Hence everyone should function totally devoid of Ego or "Ahankara".All the wisdom, capabilities and power that we possess are mercifully granted to us by God. Let us take an Oath "to use all our wisdom, capabilities and power in the service of God and in the service of humanity"
I read thru this again today and it still carries the powerful message and the tone as was intended a few years back! Thank the fact that my folks are over at Sringeri at this point that led me to looking this message up again after a while!
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Cricket World Cup-2007!!
The World Cup fever is catching on! The time has arrived to take a quick look at the different teams, gather notes, exchange gossips, heated debates....
I am going to sidestep the 'minnows' as I do not feel anyone will make it past the initial round. For the record, the 'minnows' that made it to the iterinery are: Bangladesh, Bermuda, Netherlands, Kenya, Canada, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Scotland. Now for the major league....
Australia - still formidable, missing a few players dues to injury - a few recent failures cud affect their mindset! Cracks emerging - they're defly not the formidable unbeatable, impenetrable side of yesteryears!!
South Africa - by far the best one-day outfit taking last year records. Champions - maybe, but something about their psyche stops me from crowning them! They still have to get past the 'big game choker' tag.
Sri Lanka - dark horses - real threats! Not in the best of their confidence at the moment. Still sorting out their options and may need some good wins to pump them into a 'team' that can win the cup!
Pakisthan - totally unpredictable (haven't they been like that for a few years now!) Got themselves some really good players that can win matches for them on their days! Missing key bowlers that can bowl sides out...no, I do not see them go past the quarters, maybe the semis!
England - pls! They simply do not have the talent to strive past all these stalwarts. To me England is a team consisting of a lot of good players that can get an upset win here and there. To expect them to consistently win would need them to really collectively grab their games to the next level...
New Zealand - a team of very good batsmen - they bat really deep! But can their bowlers bowl the opponents out within 50 overs? How wud their batsmen fare against some quality spin pressures? But they have been playing pretty well leading up to the WC. A loss to one of the minnows on a warm up match may not be such a bad thing to happen if waking up and collecting their wits is the effect!
West Indies - hosts, glorious uncertainties, tremendous backing, home ground effect. They are coming together as a team and will be a force to reckon with. The crowds will be backing them, their own champion players of the past will be there - everything to play for. They have peaked into a winning combination in reacent times and certainly will be a hard team to beat!
That brings me to India! The Indians have a good combination. Solid batting lineup, with a majority of them firing at the moment - definite talents. The bowling dept looks a bit fresh but we have all seen that this bunch of youngsters can perform. Whats better than to put your talented hard working bowlers on the best arena, to see if they can cope up to the pressures. Good thing is - we have options, we have the choice. Its just a matter of making the right one on the right day!! Its the choices and the right decisions that will determine if India go on to win this one.....
And being the passionate Indian cricket fan that I am, nothing short of Dravid holding that cup high come Apr 28th, will satisfy me!!
I am going to sidestep the 'minnows' as I do not feel anyone will make it past the initial round. For the record, the 'minnows' that made it to the iterinery are: Bangladesh, Bermuda, Netherlands, Kenya, Canada, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Scotland. Now for the major league....
Australia - still formidable, missing a few players dues to injury - a few recent failures cud affect their mindset! Cracks emerging - they're defly not the formidable unbeatable, impenetrable side of yesteryears!!
South Africa - by far the best one-day outfit taking last year records. Champions - maybe, but something about their psyche stops me from crowning them! They still have to get past the 'big game choker' tag.
Sri Lanka - dark horses - real threats! Not in the best of their confidence at the moment. Still sorting out their options and may need some good wins to pump them into a 'team' that can win the cup!
Pakisthan - totally unpredictable (haven't they been like that for a few years now!) Got themselves some really good players that can win matches for them on their days! Missing key bowlers that can bowl sides out...no, I do not see them go past the quarters, maybe the semis!
England - pls! They simply do not have the talent to strive past all these stalwarts. To me England is a team consisting of a lot of good players that can get an upset win here and there. To expect them to consistently win would need them to really collectively grab their games to the next level...
New Zealand - a team of very good batsmen - they bat really deep! But can their bowlers bowl the opponents out within 50 overs? How wud their batsmen fare against some quality spin pressures? But they have been playing pretty well leading up to the WC. A loss to one of the minnows on a warm up match may not be such a bad thing to happen if waking up and collecting their wits is the effect!
West Indies - hosts, glorious uncertainties, tremendous backing, home ground effect. They are coming together as a team and will be a force to reckon with. The crowds will be backing them, their own champion players of the past will be there - everything to play for. They have peaked into a winning combination in reacent times and certainly will be a hard team to beat!
That brings me to India! The Indians have a good combination. Solid batting lineup, with a majority of them firing at the moment - definite talents. The bowling dept looks a bit fresh but we have all seen that this bunch of youngsters can perform. Whats better than to put your talented hard working bowlers on the best arena, to see if they can cope up to the pressures. Good thing is - we have options, we have the choice. Its just a matter of making the right one on the right day!! Its the choices and the right decisions that will determine if India go on to win this one.....
And being the passionate Indian cricket fan that I am, nothing short of Dravid holding that cup high come Apr 28th, will satisfy me!!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Navaratna Maala kritis...
I started searching on the net for an appreciation on an otherwise quite self-explanatory slokam- a very beautiful one at that by Sankarabhagavadpadal. The 8th slokam from the Minakshi stothram sticks to the mind, and maybe so to me because Aruna Sairam has rendered this as a virutham before singing 'Sadasaaranga nayane'. The slokam goes thus -
shabdabrahmamayI charAcharamayI jyotirmayI vAaNmayI
nityAnandamayI niranjanamayI tattvaMmayI chinmayI
tattvAtitamayI pAratparamayI mAyAmayI shrImayI
sarvaishvaryamayI sadAshivamayI mAM pAhi mInAmbike
But I was distracted in my search by another article that I found on Shyama Sasthri - a commentary on the composition "devii miinanetrii"; one of the navaratna maalaa kriiti-s (a garland of nine precious gems).
Shri Shyama Shastri was born in the chitrabhaanu year in vaisaakha maasa shukla paksham under the star krithikai and meSha raashi. This corresponds to the date April 26th 1762. He was named as Venkata Subrahmanya by his parents Shri.Vishvanatha Aiyar and Srimati.Vengalakshmi. During the time his parents were longing for child, they attended the Venkatachalapathy samaradhana in one of their friend's house. At that place, one of the elders,overcome with devotional fervour, prophesized that a child will be born to them and he will gladden the heart of devi bhakta-s, and for that purpose they should do samaradhana to Shri Venkateshvara for a year (once a month). Since the child was born on Krithikai nakshatram which is lord Subrahmanya's star and due to the blessing of the Lord of seven hills, his name was chosen as Venkata Subrahmanya. But later, he became well known by his pet name Shyama. Shyama Shastri did gladden the heart of Devi upasakas with his beautiful kriti-s on shri mata. Of all the kriti-s composed by him, only two were not on devi (one on Shri Muthu Kumarasvami of Vaidishvaran kOvil and other on Varadarajasvami of Kanchi)
Background:
Once Shyama Shastri went to Pudukkottai in TN to worship shrii Brihadadambaa. When he was singing in praise of the BRihanayaki, an old man in the temple went into a devotional rapture. He asked Shyama Shastri to go to Madurai and sing in praise of Shri Minakshi amman. After returning home, Shyama Shastri decided to compose nine kriti-s on ambal and dedicate it to her as a navaratnamala - "A garland made of nine precious gems"; then he composed the first seven kriti-s.
Immersed in the worship of Bangaru Kamakshi in their family temple, he forgot the endeavour he started. One night, the same old man appeared in his dream and urged Shyama Shastri to finish the remaining kriti-s and start immediately to Madurai. Shyama Shastri realized his lapse and started immediately to Madurai and composed the remaining two kriti-s on the way. The Devi Mina netri kriti is one of the nine gems set in the ragaM ShankaraabharaNam. These kriti-s not only brought joy to bhakta-s, but enormous fame to Shyama Shastri in the world of Karnataka Sangeetham. Some consider that the old man was none but Lord Sundareshvara who wanted to hear the glories of his wife. They call all his leelai-s as thiruvilaiyadal in thamizh, all his sports bring joy to the world of bhakta-s.
Shyama Shastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar are contemporaries. Shri Subbaraya Shastri, one of the sons of Shri Shyama Shastri indeed had an enviable position. He was taught formally by the great Thyagaraja, and his father also taught him. Constant interactions with Shri Dikshitar, also helped different aspects of Karnataka Sangeetham. To be taught and groomed by the three greatest composers of the Carnatic world must be a result of great poorva janma punyam indeed.
The composition "Devi Minanetri ..." is the first of the Navaratnamalika kriti-s by Shri Shyama Shastri. This composition is set in raagam ShankaraabharaNam and begins with the line "Devi Minanetri brova raave". The term navaratnamala means a garland made of nine precious gems. It is indeed a fitting tribute to Shri Minakshi Devi to offer the first gem in the raagam Shankarabharanam. The name Shankarabharanam means an ornament of Lord Shiva. Ambal, who is the power of Lord Shiva (refer to the verse shiva shaktyaa yuktau of saundarya laharii) adorns him splendidly and she is no comparison to the other inanimate ornaments. Hence, the tribute to ambal in the raagam shankarabharanam is very apt!
It gladdens the hearts of the countless devotees of the divine mother that Lord himself (in the form of a old man) inspired Shyama Shastri to offer this jewel to his beloved consort Uma. Hence, it is the Lord who presented this jewel through the medium of ShriShyama Shastri. And Ambal accepted this naada naivedyam (musical offering) and blessed Shri Shyama Shastri.
The Krithi:
The keerthanam "Devi Minanetri" is a long composition and has three charanam-s (stanza-s). This keerthanam celebrates Shri Minakshi devi as Bala Tripura Sundari!!
Pallavi
devii miinanetrii brova raave
daya cheyave brova raavamma
Anupallavi
sEvinchE vaarikellanu chintaamaNiyai unnaara
Charanam
baala niive gatiyani ninne chaalaa nammina naapai
paraakEla dayacheya niikidi mElaa divyaambaa
kaalaa divi raaNii sadguNa shiilaa kiiravaaNii devii
niila niirada veNii triloka jananii devii maheshvarii bhavanii || 1 ||
ambaa mukha nirjita shatadhara bimbaa rakShita devataambaa
nata nijasR^ita guha herambaambaa shyaamaLaamba bimbaadharii
gaurii kaadamba vihaarii ambaa kambukanThi
himashaila vR^ikSha paalikaa devii baalambikaa ambaa || 2 ||
vaaNii ramaa va.ndita rudraaNii nii saaTevaru kalyaaNii
shyaama kR^iShNa nuta kiiravaaNii sharvaaNii viiNaa
vinodinii shrii chakra koNa nivaasini giirvaaNa
vandita padaaravindaa shivaa devii kaatyaayanii ambaa || 3 ||
shabdabrahmamayI charAcharamayI jyotirmayI vAaNmayI
nityAnandamayI niranjanamayI tattvaMmayI chinmayI
tattvAtitamayI pAratparamayI mAyAmayI shrImayI
sarvaishvaryamayI sadAshivamayI mAM pAhi mInAmbike
But I was distracted in my search by another article that I found on Shyama Sasthri - a commentary on the composition "devii miinanetrii"; one of the navaratna maalaa kriiti-s (a garland of nine precious gems).
Shri Shyama Shastri was born in the chitrabhaanu year in vaisaakha maasa shukla paksham under the star krithikai and meSha raashi. This corresponds to the date April 26th 1762. He was named as Venkata Subrahmanya by his parents Shri.Vishvanatha Aiyar and Srimati.Vengalakshmi. During the time his parents were longing for child, they attended the Venkatachalapathy samaradhana in one of their friend's house. At that place, one of the elders,overcome with devotional fervour, prophesized that a child will be born to them and he will gladden the heart of devi bhakta-s, and for that purpose they should do samaradhana to Shri Venkateshvara for a year (once a month). Since the child was born on Krithikai nakshatram which is lord Subrahmanya's star and due to the blessing of the Lord of seven hills, his name was chosen as Venkata Subrahmanya. But later, he became well known by his pet name Shyama. Shyama Shastri did gladden the heart of Devi upasakas with his beautiful kriti-s on shri mata. Of all the kriti-s composed by him, only two were not on devi (one on Shri Muthu Kumarasvami of Vaidishvaran kOvil and other on Varadarajasvami of Kanchi)
Background:
Once Shyama Shastri went to Pudukkottai in TN to worship shrii Brihadadambaa. When he was singing in praise of the BRihanayaki, an old man in the temple went into a devotional rapture. He asked Shyama Shastri to go to Madurai and sing in praise of Shri Minakshi amman. After returning home, Shyama Shastri decided to compose nine kriti-s on ambal and dedicate it to her as a navaratnamala - "A garland made of nine precious gems"; then he composed the first seven kriti-s.
Immersed in the worship of Bangaru Kamakshi in their family temple, he forgot the endeavour he started. One night, the same old man appeared in his dream and urged Shyama Shastri to finish the remaining kriti-s and start immediately to Madurai. Shyama Shastri realized his lapse and started immediately to Madurai and composed the remaining two kriti-s on the way. The Devi Mina netri kriti is one of the nine gems set in the ragaM ShankaraabharaNam. These kriti-s not only brought joy to bhakta-s, but enormous fame to Shyama Shastri in the world of Karnataka Sangeetham. Some consider that the old man was none but Lord Sundareshvara who wanted to hear the glories of his wife. They call all his leelai-s as thiruvilaiyadal in thamizh, all his sports bring joy to the world of bhakta-s.
Shyama Shastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar are contemporaries. Shri Subbaraya Shastri, one of the sons of Shri Shyama Shastri indeed had an enviable position. He was taught formally by the great Thyagaraja, and his father also taught him. Constant interactions with Shri Dikshitar, also helped different aspects of Karnataka Sangeetham. To be taught and groomed by the three greatest composers of the Carnatic world must be a result of great poorva janma punyam indeed.
The composition "Devi Minanetri ..." is the first of the Navaratnamalika kriti-s by Shri Shyama Shastri. This composition is set in raagam ShankaraabharaNam and begins with the line "Devi Minanetri brova raave". The term navaratnamala means a garland made of nine precious gems. It is indeed a fitting tribute to Shri Minakshi Devi to offer the first gem in the raagam Shankarabharanam. The name Shankarabharanam means an ornament of Lord Shiva. Ambal, who is the power of Lord Shiva (refer to the verse shiva shaktyaa yuktau of saundarya laharii) adorns him splendidly and she is no comparison to the other inanimate ornaments. Hence, the tribute to ambal in the raagam shankarabharanam is very apt!
It gladdens the hearts of the countless devotees of the divine mother that Lord himself (in the form of a old man) inspired Shyama Shastri to offer this jewel to his beloved consort Uma. Hence, it is the Lord who presented this jewel through the medium of ShriShyama Shastri. And Ambal accepted this naada naivedyam (musical offering) and blessed Shri Shyama Shastri.
The Krithi:
The keerthanam "Devi Minanetri" is a long composition and has three charanam-s (stanza-s). This keerthanam celebrates Shri Minakshi devi as Bala Tripura Sundari!!
Pallavi
devii miinanetrii brova raave
daya cheyave brova raavamma
Anupallavi
sEvinchE vaarikellanu chintaamaNiyai unnaara
Charanam
baala niive gatiyani ninne chaalaa nammina naapai
paraakEla dayacheya niikidi mElaa divyaambaa
kaalaa divi raaNii sadguNa shiilaa kiiravaaNii devii
niila niirada veNii triloka jananii devii maheshvarii bhavanii || 1 ||
ambaa mukha nirjita shatadhara bimbaa rakShita devataambaa
nata nijasR^ita guha herambaambaa shyaamaLaamba bimbaadharii
gaurii kaadamba vihaarii ambaa kambukanThi
himashaila vR^ikSha paalikaa devii baalambikaa ambaa || 2 ||
vaaNii ramaa va.ndita rudraaNii nii saaTevaru kalyaaNii
shyaama kR^iShNa nuta kiiravaaNii sharvaaNii viiNaa
vinodinii shrii chakra koNa nivaasini giirvaaNa
vandita padaaravindaa shivaa devii kaatyaayanii ambaa || 3 ||
Friday, March 2, 2007
Light of Night!
The intense darkness shown by the night
Amidst the sparkling beauty of the stars
To remind the glory of the day gone past
Or to harness the hopes of a day yet to pass
Is it to express the whole and kindle
Take away in a swift motion and riddle
To harness the joy in the elegance and kind
To command the inner realms of our mind
To kindle spirits of humility where ego is bend
Let the leader in us know that we are brunt
Humble seekers of the beauty shown
No control, no wisdom, nor action make us known
We watch, we latch onto the thought that springs forth
As the days pass by and the nights dream on....
Well - today certainly seems to be a field day for imagination :)
Amidst the sparkling beauty of the stars
To remind the glory of the day gone past
Or to harness the hopes of a day yet to pass
Is it to express the whole and kindle
Take away in a swift motion and riddle
To harness the joy in the elegance and kind
To command the inner realms of our mind
To kindle spirits of humility where ego is bend
Let the leader in us know that we are brunt
Humble seekers of the beauty shown
No control, no wisdom, nor action make us known
We watch, we latch onto the thought that springs forth
As the days pass by and the nights dream on....
Well - today certainly seems to be a field day for imagination :)
The pearl that cried in glee
Sand and stones merge the waves watch on
Care and thought into the pearl, she grew on
Brighter than the moon, pure as snow
Waiting for the day she speaketh her know
Waves as the cradle, currents guiding her
She sets out on her quest afar and wide
Leaving the home that gave her care
Shelter with the mother that bore and bare
Scarred she might, captured she may
As she marches on jubilant down the way
Plain adventure in mind and spirit
No dreams no plans no friends to meet
All thru the battle, thru her scars
Back in her mind in the soul of thought
Even when she was netted and worn
Was the love and comfort she's shown
Parted from the waves and the wings
The drive that lent her reason to spring
Never would there be a trip back home
Where the waters cradled her dome
Wonders of the Ocean and all she held
Sounds, the sights, behold her mind
As she rests on the pale neckline
Of a dusky dame adding to her fame
Live she will on and beyond
Lives of the ones that adorn
Thriving on the love, thought and care
Of all that, that drew her here.....
Cried in glee she did when she
Thought of all the way that be
Sights and sounds and dark mystery
Glory are the ways of the deep blue sea!
Care and thought into the pearl, she grew on
Brighter than the moon, pure as snow
Waiting for the day she speaketh her know
Waves as the cradle, currents guiding her
She sets out on her quest afar and wide
Leaving the home that gave her care
Shelter with the mother that bore and bare
Scarred she might, captured she may
As she marches on jubilant down the way
Plain adventure in mind and spirit
No dreams no plans no friends to meet
All thru the battle, thru her scars
Back in her mind in the soul of thought
Even when she was netted and worn
Was the love and comfort she's shown
Parted from the waves and the wings
The drive that lent her reason to spring
Never would there be a trip back home
Where the waters cradled her dome
Wonders of the Ocean and all she held
Sounds, the sights, behold her mind
As she rests on the pale neckline
Of a dusky dame adding to her fame
Live she will on and beyond
Lives of the ones that adorn
Thriving on the love, thought and care
Of all that, that drew her here.....
Cried in glee she did when she
Thought of all the way that be
Sights and sounds and dark mystery
Glory are the ways of the deep blue sea!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The A-Team!
" In 1972 a crack commando team was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they did not commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum-security stockade to the Los Angeles underfround. Today still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team"
The A-Team was an American action adventure television series about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces who are working as soldiers of fortune while being on the run from the military for a "crime they didn't commit". Despite being thought of as mercenaries, the A-Team always acted on the side of the good guys, helping the oppressed. The show ran for five seasons on the NBC television network, from January 23 1983 to December 30 1986 (with one additional, previously unbroadcast episode shown on March 8 1987), with a total of 98 episodes.
The A-Team was an American action adventure television series about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces who are working as soldiers of fortune while being on the run from the military for a "crime they didn't commit". Despite being thought of as mercenaries, the A-Team always acted on the side of the good guys, helping the oppressed. The show ran for five seasons on the NBC television network, from January 23 1983 to December 30 1986 (with one additional, previously unbroadcast episode shown on March 8 1987), with a total of 98 episodes.
Main characters
- George Peppard as Col. John "Hannibal" Smith
- The leader of the A-Team, he is a brilliant tactician and a master of disguise. Hannibal is distinguished by his cigar smoking, disguises, and his catch phrase, "I love it when a plan comes together." Always "on the jazz" (a phrase coined by B.A., meaning that Hannibal thrives on adventure and life-threatening situations), he seems to genuinely enjoy every situation they get into. He also works as an actor, playing monsters in low-budget horror movies.
- Dirk Benedict as Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck
- Suave, smooth-talking, and hugely successful with women, he serves as the team's con man and scrounger, able to get his hands on just about anything they need. Effectively second in command behind Hannibal (although technically Murdock outranks him), he is the one who arranges for supplies, equipment, and sensitive information using numerous scams and hustles. Tim Dunigan played this role in the pilot episode.
- Mr. T as Sgt. Bosco Albert "B.A." Baracus
- A highly-skilled mechanic and the A-Team's regular Mr. Fix-It, his character is basically that of the public persona of Mr. T himself. He is a skilled fighter and is easily roused to anger, earning him the nickname "Bad Attitude". Despite his reputed attitude, he is a nice guy at heart. He has a special fondness for children and, being a teetotaller, he never drinks alcohol, preferring milk instead. He is most upset by Murdock, frequently referring to him as a "crazy fool." He suffers an intense fear of flying, especially when the plane in question is flown by Murdock. This difficulty is often overcome by other members of the team drugging him, or otherwise rendering him unconscious, so he can be transported without objection.
- Dwight Schultz as Capt. H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock
- The best chopper pilot of the Vietnam War, Murdock is either mentally unstable or exceptionally good at pretending to be so. Although he was their pilot on the Hanoi bank raid, he was technically not part of the A-Team and so not tried by the military. Though interned at a psychiatric hospital, he routinely escapes to accompany the A-Team on their missions. The symptoms of his "insanity" varies from episode to episode, but generally includes self-identification with fictional characters, hallucinations, belief in the "intelligence" of inanimate objects, among others. He frequently refers to his invisible dog, "Billy". Unlike B.A., the initials "H.M." were never explained in terms of Murdock's actual name, and the nickname "Howlin' Mad" is simply attributed to them. He was permanently discharged in the fifth season.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Amrutham Varshaya....
"The Gods are speaking?!"
Its either some clattering language that Gods use that I can't understand! Or it is something only my glass window panes can understand and they are horrified. So much so that their teeth is clattering out of fear and making this sound....or it could also be the ice sleet hitting the window panes!
Its pouring out here.....and its not just a rain!
Who needs the weather man nowadays :) This is what the weather site has to say about it:
PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MIDNIGHT...BECOMING PREDOMINANTLY LIGHT FREEZING RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT. ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF A HALF INCH WILL BE COMMON. SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH TONIGHT BEFORE CHANGING OVER TO MAINLY FREEZING RAIN AND RAIN TOWARD MORNING.
Tipped to be the last snow storm of this season with which we really have not gotten enough time to break ice(!!), this also means confined to home-base this weekend. Buoyed by the robust predictions made by the above mentioned soothsayer, and pushed along by the wonderful rendering of Amruthavarshini by 'Sreevalsan Menon' I decided to find out more about this sweet raga, and here goes:
Amruthavarshini does not find a place in most of the musical granthams. It is believed to be been called as Seelangi in Ghanabhaskaram & named as SmaraRanjani in SwaraprastharaSagaram and both mention that this is a janya of 65th mela Mechakalyani. There are versions where the raagam is considered as a janyam of the 66th Melaraagam Chithrambari.
This is a prathimadhyama counterpart of Gambheeranaatta. Where Arohanam Sa Ga3 Ma1 Pa Ni3 Sa,Avarohanam Sa Ni3 Pa Ma1 Ga3 Sa and it is janyam of chalanata, which is the 36th raga in the melakartha list. So theoritically speaking the prathimadhyama counterpart of Ghambheera Nata ( Janya of 36 chalanata), Amruthavarshini should have been a janyam of 72nd melakartha the Rasikapriya. But it has been listed only under 65th mela in ancient scripts.
If you look the scale, it could be the janyam of Gamanashramam or Kalyani or Rasikapriya or chithrambari theoritically.
Look at the arohana avarohana of the listed ragas will tell us that S G3 M2 P N3 S -S N3 P M2 G3 S will be same,
53. Gamanasrama S R1 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S - S N3 D2 P M2 G3 R1 S
65. Mechakalyani S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S - S N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S
66. Chitrambhari S R2 G3 M2 P D3 N3 S - S N3 D3 P M2 G3 R2 S
72. Rasikapriya S R3 G3 M2 P D3 N3 S - S N3 D3 P M2 G3 R3 S
So, we are bound to get confused. The point to be noted is that the Ga the Gandharam of Amruthavarshini is sung with a kampitha Gamakam where the Ga is oscillating.
That's the key!!
Muthuswamy Dikshitar has composed a wonderful krithi in this raga. There is a famous trivia attached to the making of the krithi in this ragam. "Anandhamruthakarshini amruthavarshini". When he was passing throug the village Ettayapuram in thirunelveli District, there was an acute drought. Since he was wellknown for his powers , people in the village requested him to get rains in. At their request Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar sang the above song in the Amruthavarshini ragam.
It is said that When he sang the line 'varshaya varshaya varshaya' it started rainging heavily flooding the village and he had to sing the same song with the slight modification . Instead of varshaya varshaya varshaya, he used sthambaya sthambaya he sang to stop the rains.
He is also supposed to have been the founder of this raga in the name it is currently known as.
So much for the research part, the icing on the cake is that this idea still works!! I played this song over and over again late afternoon today...i assure you the singer rendered 'varshaya varshaya', and so what if the weather instruments had already figured it out and the communication mechanisms had promptly done their duty!!
What with all the global warming and it being the Kaliyug and all, or it is also possible that the God was out Golfing at the time (yeah, the last time we met they told me they vacation out to warmer spots with family when the weather turns to the worse out here), the rains took a time arriving. It wasn't till a good 3 hours later that the skies opened up, but when they did, it was certainly amazing :)
I always enjoy watching a rain storm or a snow storm thru the windows, standing inside a comfortably heated room. A cup of hot coffee or tea would only serve to add to the bliss and joy of studying nature and her expressions.
Amrutham Varshaya Varshaya Varshaya......
Its either some clattering language that Gods use that I can't understand! Or it is something only my glass window panes can understand and they are horrified. So much so that their teeth is clattering out of fear and making this sound....or it could also be the ice sleet hitting the window panes!
Its pouring out here.....and its not just a rain!
Who needs the weather man nowadays :) This is what the weather site has to say about it:
PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MIDNIGHT...BECOMING PREDOMINANTLY LIGHT FREEZING RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT. ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF A HALF INCH WILL BE COMMON. SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH TONIGHT BEFORE CHANGING OVER TO MAINLY FREEZING RAIN AND RAIN TOWARD MORNING.
Tipped to be the last snow storm of this season with which we really have not gotten enough time to break ice(!!), this also means confined to home-base this weekend. Buoyed by the robust predictions made by the above mentioned soothsayer, and pushed along by the wonderful rendering of Amruthavarshini by 'Sreevalsan Menon' I decided to find out more about this sweet raga, and here goes:
Amruthavarshini does not find a place in most of the musical granthams. It is believed to be been called as Seelangi in Ghanabhaskaram & named as SmaraRanjani in SwaraprastharaSagaram and both mention that this is a janya of 65th mela Mechakalyani. There are versions where the raagam is considered as a janyam of the 66th Melaraagam Chithrambari.
This is a prathimadhyama counterpart of Gambheeranaatta. Where Arohanam Sa Ga3 Ma1 Pa Ni3 Sa,Avarohanam Sa Ni3 Pa Ma1 Ga3 Sa and it is janyam of chalanata, which is the 36th raga in the melakartha list. So theoritically speaking the prathimadhyama counterpart of Ghambheera Nata ( Janya of 36 chalanata), Amruthavarshini should have been a janyam of 72nd melakartha the Rasikapriya. But it has been listed only under 65th mela in ancient scripts.
If you look the scale, it could be the janyam of Gamanashramam or Kalyani or Rasikapriya or chithrambari theoritically.
Look at the arohana avarohana of the listed ragas will tell us that S G3 M2 P N3 S -S N3 P M2 G3 S will be same,
53. Gamanasrama S R1 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S - S N3 D2 P M2 G3 R1 S
65. Mechakalyani S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S - S N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S
66. Chitrambhari S R2 G3 M2 P D3 N3 S - S N3 D3 P M2 G3 R2 S
72. Rasikapriya S R3 G3 M2 P D3 N3 S - S N3 D3 P M2 G3 R3 S
So, we are bound to get confused. The point to be noted is that the Ga the Gandharam of Amruthavarshini is sung with a kampitha Gamakam where the Ga is oscillating.
That's the key!!
Muthuswamy Dikshitar has composed a wonderful krithi in this raga. There is a famous trivia attached to the making of the krithi in this ragam. "Anandhamruthakarshini amruthavarshini". When he was passing throug the village Ettayapuram in thirunelveli District, there was an acute drought. Since he was wellknown for his powers , people in the village requested him to get rains in. At their request Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar sang the above song in the Amruthavarshini ragam.
It is said that When he sang the line 'varshaya varshaya varshaya' it started rainging heavily flooding the village and he had to sing the same song with the slight modification . Instead of varshaya varshaya varshaya, he used sthambaya sthambaya he sang to stop the rains.
He is also supposed to have been the founder of this raga in the name it is currently known as.
So much for the research part, the icing on the cake is that this idea still works!! I played this song over and over again late afternoon today...i assure you the singer rendered 'varshaya varshaya', and so what if the weather instruments had already figured it out and the communication mechanisms had promptly done their duty!!
What with all the global warming and it being the Kaliyug and all, or it is also possible that the God was out Golfing at the time (yeah, the last time we met they told me they vacation out to warmer spots with family when the weather turns to the worse out here), the rains took a time arriving. It wasn't till a good 3 hours later that the skies opened up, but when they did, it was certainly amazing :)
I always enjoy watching a rain storm or a snow storm thru the windows, standing inside a comfortably heated room. A cup of hot coffee or tea would only serve to add to the bliss and joy of studying nature and her expressions.
Amrutham Varshaya Varshaya Varshaya......
Friday, February 23, 2007
Where am I?
I have worked back home too a few years, and looking back I feel I always worked harder back there, longer hours! Again I believe its probably more efficient and productive here thoh! And that renders a person kinda 'spent' at the end of the day...plus when u get back home, there's no one to boost the emotional account back on :)
So then u end up spending more out of 'own' account - with only sleep as a solace...and then its again the next day :)
The days zoom past, the weeks flow by and one day u suddenly discover that you are getting old!!! Slowly but surely ones role in the drama reduces considerably, until at last one eventful minute decides it all....Its time for others to take over and perform the meaningless and create a web of make-believe 'security' and ego that really means nothing!
I dont know why I said that or where I went down that path...but "kaivitta vaalum vaivitta vaakkum.....". And so, there it is!
So then u end up spending more out of 'own' account - with only sleep as a solace...and then its again the next day :)
The days zoom past, the weeks flow by and one day u suddenly discover that you are getting old!!! Slowly but surely ones role in the drama reduces considerably, until at last one eventful minute decides it all....Its time for others to take over and perform the meaningless and create a web of make-believe 'security' and ego that really means nothing!
I dont know why I said that or where I went down that path...but "kaivitta vaalum vaivitta vaakkum.....". And so, there it is!
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Aura and Death!!
I discovered this interesting piece from an article someone wrote, as I was searching for answers to explain some of the rituals and practices that Hindus follow, on Death! This part was exciting and I wanted to post this out there....
"As a mystic, being in the presence of a dying person is truly humbling. The source power can be incredibly strong at times. You are, basically, standing in the shadow of a greater light being cast through a briefly opened doorway, flowing from a higher level of reality; from one of the spirit worlds or heavens. Unfortunately, for all intents and purposes this is an unseen light to mortal eyes.
A sensitive can feel the presence of the source in this light. It is a tangible, almost touchable energy that permeates the mystical heart center. This can make it swell and thrum with a gentle and powerful rhythm unlike any other; with a kind of spiritual energy resonance.
During the few moments before death, the ethereal-cum-mystical aura surges dramatically, flooding the room for a moment with a profound cool stillness. At this moment, it can feel like time itself has stopped. This is when the unseen light is at its strongest and the doorway into the spirit world is at its widest. Phenomena will sometimes be seen at this time, often visible to the naked eye. I have my suspicions that a dying person's Kundalini raises to its highest level at this time.
The time distortion comes from the rooms exposure to an abstract spiritual reality of a higher dimensional existence than the normal physical dimension we live in. The higher the dimensional level, the less the passing of time is apparent. On the highest level, time ceases and there is only The Eternal Now. Time stands utterly still.
At the moment of death, as a doorway cracks open into a higher reality and the spirit is drawn through it, all free energy can be drawn into it, including the emotional energy being vented by mourners. This can create an unnaturally cold feeling around any newly deceased person.
After death, the atmosphere in the room carries a shocked kind of feeling -- that's the only way to really describe it. This is caused by the terrific forces that were work during the death process. You can feel this hanging in the atmosphere wherever there has been a recent death; especially if you are a sensitive. Depending on the nature of the death in question, this atmosphere generally fades away over a few days. But in an area where there has been a violent or massive loss of life, this shocked feeling can persist for months or even years"
"As a mystic, being in the presence of a dying person is truly humbling. The source power can be incredibly strong at times. You are, basically, standing in the shadow of a greater light being cast through a briefly opened doorway, flowing from a higher level of reality; from one of the spirit worlds or heavens. Unfortunately, for all intents and purposes this is an unseen light to mortal eyes.
A sensitive can feel the presence of the source in this light. It is a tangible, almost touchable energy that permeates the mystical heart center. This can make it swell and thrum with a gentle and powerful rhythm unlike any other; with a kind of spiritual energy resonance.
During the few moments before death, the ethereal-cum-mystical aura surges dramatically, flooding the room for a moment with a profound cool stillness. At this moment, it can feel like time itself has stopped. This is when the unseen light is at its strongest and the doorway into the spirit world is at its widest. Phenomena will sometimes be seen at this time, often visible to the naked eye. I have my suspicions that a dying person's Kundalini raises to its highest level at this time.
The time distortion comes from the rooms exposure to an abstract spiritual reality of a higher dimensional existence than the normal physical dimension we live in. The higher the dimensional level, the less the passing of time is apparent. On the highest level, time ceases and there is only The Eternal Now. Time stands utterly still.
At the moment of death, as a doorway cracks open into a higher reality and the spirit is drawn through it, all free energy can be drawn into it, including the emotional energy being vented by mourners. This can create an unnaturally cold feeling around any newly deceased person.
After death, the atmosphere in the room carries a shocked kind of feeling -- that's the only way to really describe it. This is caused by the terrific forces that were work during the death process. You can feel this hanging in the atmosphere wherever there has been a recent death; especially if you are a sensitive. Depending on the nature of the death in question, this atmosphere generally fades away over a few days. But in an area where there has been a violent or massive loss of life, this shocked feeling can persist for months or even years"
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