Best Senior Violinist award from Music Academy

Dr. M. Lalitha and M. Nandini receiving the Maduram Narayan Award for the Best Senior Violinists from the Madras Music Academy from DR. S. S. Badrinath, Sankaran Netralaya at the Sadas.

Quality is their watchword

Virtuosity shows up

The violin has got so enmeshed into our music that the music-lover is prone to see it as an accompaniment and no more — as an instrument whose function it is to beautify the alapana or niraval of the “main” musician, who gives the recital in a “Carnatic” style; to keep within the broad periphery outlined by the main performer. (In fact if the violinist crossed this line too often or too much, he could invite raised eyebrows). But the violin is live with its almost infinite potential. It can cover five or more octaves; it can produce, not just gamaka, but brigas at breathtaking speed, karuvais whose duration can be stretched far beyond the human voice or any other instrument, depending as it does, on how slowly you can draw the bow. In one sweep it can glide through a two-octave range; it can produce blissful harmony through the simple process of bowing two strings together and sustain it for as long as the player wishes. It can produce Duritakala swaras whose “output per second” (to borrow from engineering terminology) can be phenomenal, perhaps within the reach of only the percussionist to match. (Thanjavur Kumar proved this point on the mridangam).

In western terms, it brings in several sound patterns like tremolo. We see fusion through the blending of cultures, the western violin having been married into the Carnatic family and being an excellent daughter-in-law; but there is also this aspect of her standing out in her own identity, while not ceasing to be the daughter-in-law of the Carnatic music household. That is how one perceived the effort of the sisters Lalitha and Nandini at their evening concert for KFA at the RRS Hall.

In the Abhogi Varnam they demonstrated the violin performing `Kalams’ virtually not possible in other instruments, without losing the flavour of the varnam in style or raga. In quick succession in an hour, they brought out some seven numbers, but rooted in Carnatic style. Papanasam Sivan’s `Mooladhara Murti’ in Hamsadhwani, with a brief preface and excursions into kalpanaswara, Muthuswamy Dikshithar’s `Kamakshi’ in Simhendramadhyamam with brilliant swara-sancharas, `Paluka’ of Tyagaraja in Navarasakannada; `Sri Venkatesa Gireesam’ of Muthuswamy Dikshithar in Surati; `Nannukanne’ of Tyagaraja in Sindhukannada came for competent handling. Papanasam Sivan’s `Kapali’ in Mohanam was delivered with alapana and swaras.

Thanjavur Kumar and T. D. Balu (ghatam) made a very pleasant musical pair to support the violinists. The whole concert was an example of virtuosity with the intent of holding up the glory of the instrument, without any show of personal achievement. Such performers should be welcome.

P. S. KRISHNAMURTI

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/12/26/stories/2003122601430600.htm

Our Concert in Leeds

Our Concert in Leeds for SAA in UK.

It was wonderful performing for SAA in Leeds. The sound was excellent and thanks to the organisers Kiran, Dharamji, his son, Girish and the entire team for making this concert into a memorable experience. Thanks to Kiranjis mom and family for the excellent dinner at the end of the concert.

Kamalamba Navavarnam – 8th Vibhakti kriti with meaning

srI kamalAmbike avAva

 

aSTama AvaraNa krti

 

Sarvasiddhiprada chakra – granting all accomplishments

 

rAgaM: ghaNTA – janya of the 20^th mElA                                                                           tALaM:  Adi

 

pallavi

 

srI kamalAmbikE avAva

shivE karadhRta shukashArikE

 

anupallavi

 

lokapAlini kapAlini shUlini lOkajanani bhagamAlini sakrdA

lokaya mAM sarvasiddhipradAyikE tripurAmbikE bAlAmbikE

 

caraNam

 

santapta hEma sannibhadEhE sadAakhaNDaikarasapravAhE

santApahara trikoNagehE sakAmeshvari shaktisamUhE

santataM muktighaNTAmaNi ghoShAyamAna kavATadvArE

ananta guruguha viditE karANgulinakhodaya viShNu dashAvatArE

antaHkaraNekShukArmuka shabdAdi panca tanmAtra vishikhAatyanta

rAgapAsha dveShANkushadharakarE ati rahasya yoginIparE

 

Meaning

This Kriti is in the saMbodhanA 8^th vibhakti or the vocative case.  The chakra for this AvaraNa is sarvasiddhiprada chakra ‘granting all attainments or accomplishments’. This is the innermost triangle in the Srichakra having the bindu or the dot in the middle. The Avarana is Trikona and the Yogini is Ati Rahasya Yogini or the most secretive. Mental state is Nitidhyasana and The presiding deity is Tripuraamba. Her vidya is Hsraim Hsrklim Hsrsauh. Mudra is Sarva Beeja and the Siddhi is Iccha. The gem is Gomaya. The Shaktis are the three and 4+3=7 is the dominant number. This avarana corresponds to the top of the head of the mother goddess.

O Goddess Kamalambika the auspicious, the one holding a parrot and a Myna bird in her hands, please protect me. O protector of the world wearing the Kapala skull and the Shula trident, you are the mother of this entire universe who is also known as Bhagamalini, please cast your merciful glance at least once on me. O mother the ruler of all powers – You are Goddess Tripurambika and Balambika. Your body is like the gleaming gold and is the ever lasting torrent of incessant bliss. Dwelling in the Trikona triangle annihilating all miseries You are in the company of  the three shaktis Kameshvari and others. In the wide door of Her Domicile, wherein the bell which is decorated with jewels frequently pronounces the way to emancipation, You are known to Ananta and is understood by Guruguha. The nails of Her ten fingers are the foundation of the Dasavatharas or the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The most clandestine yogini who is the supreme holding in Her four hands the sugar cane bow represents the mind, the five arrows signifying the objects of the five senses, the noose for attachment and the goad denoting hatred.

Kamalamba Navavarnam – 7th Krti with meaning

srI kamalAmbikAyAm

 

saptama AvaraNa krti

Sarva rOgahara chakra – ‘curing all maladies’ 

rAgaM: sahAnA – janyA of the 22^nd mElA

tALaM: tisra tripuTa

 

pallavi

 

srI kamalAmbikAyAM bhaktiM karOmi

sritakalpa vATikAyAM caNDikAyAM jagadambikAyAm

 

anupallavi

 

rAkA candravadanAyAM rAjIva nayanAyAM

pAkArinuta caraNAyAM AkAshAdi kiraNAyAm

hrIMkAra vipinahariNyAM hrIMkArasusharIriNyAM

hrIMkAra tarumanjaryAM hrIMkAreshvaryAM gauryAm

 

caraNam

 

sharIratraya vilakShaNa sukhatara svAtmAnubhoginyAM

virinci harIshAna harihaya vedita rahasya yOginyAm

parAdi vAgdevatA rUpa vashinyAdi vibhAginyAM

carAtmaka sarvarogahara nirAmaya rAjayoginyAm

karadhrta vINAvAdinyAM kamalAnagara vinodinyAM

suranaramunijana modinyAM guruguha varaprasAdinyAm

 

Meaning

 

This kriti is in saptamI vibhakti or the locative case. The chakra for this song is Sarva rOgahara chakra – ‘curing all maladies’ and consists of eight triangles. The avarana is asthakona and the Yogini is Rahasya Yogini. The mental state is Manana. The Mudra is sarva khechari and the Siddhi is Bhukthi. The presiding deity is Tripura Siddha and Her manthra is Hrim Shrim Sauh. The gem is diamond. The Shaktis are eight starting with Vashini and 8 is the dominant number. This avarana corresponds to the forehead of the mother goddess.

The giver of all propitious things and who bestows all the wishes to the devotees dwelling in the place of the wish-fulfilling gem Kalpavatika,  to her and the Mother of the Universe Chandika I offer my salutations. She who has a beautiful face like the full moon, whose eyes are like the lotus bud, whose feet are worshipped by Indra, whose glow are the five elements like the space. She roams in the forest of the sound of Hrim, She is the very manifestation of the sound Hrim, She is the presiding deity for the Mantra Hrim and the Mother Gauri. She derives happiness in the supreme bliss of her own self, which surpasses the three levels subtle, gross and casual. She is the numinous Yogini known only to Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Hayagriva. She is the deity of speech who is differentiated as Shakti Vasini and is the Raja Yogini, the healer who removes all ephemeral maladies. Holding the Vina in the hand, enchanting the Kamalanagara she allures the Gods, men and sages thus conceding Guruguha the boon of Her grace.

kamalAmbA navAvarNam – 6th Krti with meaning

 

  kamalAmbikAyAHstava

 

ShaShTya AvaraNa krti

sarvarakShAkara chakra  - which protects all

 

rAgaM: punnAgavarALi – janyA of the 8^th mElA                                         

tALaM: rUpakam

 

pallavi

 

kamalAmbikAyAstava bhakto ahaM

SrI shaNkaryAH srIkaryAH saNgIta rasikAyAH srI

 

anupallavi

 

sumasharekShu kodaNDa pAshANkusha pANyAH

atimadhurataravANyAH sharvANyAH kalyANyAH

ramaNIya punnAgavarALi vijitaveNyAH srI

 

caraNam

 

dashakalAtmaka vahni svarUpa prakAshAntardashAra-

sarvarakShAkara cakreshvaryAH

tridashAdinuta kacavarga dvayamaya sarvajnAdi dashashaktisameta

mAlinI cakreshvaryAH tridashaviMshadvarNa

garbhiNI kuNDalinyAH dashamudrA samArAdhita kauLinyAh

dasharathAdinuta guruguha janaka shivabodhinyAH

dashakaraNa vrtti marIci nigarbhayoginyAH srI

 

Meaning

Bestower of all good things I am your devotee Goddess Kamalambika, the wife of Lord Shiva who  is fond of music.She who has the flower arrows, sugar cane as the bow, noose or the rope and goad in her hands. She whose speech sweet like nectar and is the consort of Lord Shiva, the epitome of goodness. She whose braided hair surpasses the black bees which are beautiful and lovely that is teeming around the Punnaga tree. She who is the presiding deity of the Sarvarakshakara Chakra – (protecting all) manifesting in the inner circle having ten triangles and fire being Her basic nature. Goddess of the Chakra of Malini who is worshipped by them that has the ten Shaktis such as Sarvajna and is ten letters of the Ka and Ca collection. Encircling the fifty letters She is the Kundalini and She is the goddess Kaulini propitiated by the ten Mudras. Worshiped by Dasharatha and others, She divulges the individuality of Lord Shiva the father of Guruguha. She who is hidden in the manifestations comprises the role of the ten Indriyas – the senses and the motor organs.

This song is set in ShaShThI vibhakti or the genitive / possessive case.The chakra for this AvaraNa is sarvarakShAkara charka  which protects all and consists of the inner set of ten triangles while the Avarna is antardashAra. The Yogini is Nigarbha Yogini while the Mudra is Sarva mahankusha and the Siddhi is Prakamya. The mental state is Upadesa. The presiding deity is Tripura Malini. Her vidya is is Hrim Klim Blem. The gem is emerald. The Shaktis are the ten starting with Sarvagnya.10 is the dominant number. This avarana corresponds to the middle of the eyebrows (bhrukuti) of the mother goddess.

Kamalamba Navavarna – 5th Avarna Kriti with Meaning

SrI kamalAmbikAyAH param

 

pancama AvaraNa krti

sarvasiddhiprada chakra – accomplishment of all purposes

 

rAgaM:bhairavi–

janyA of 20 mElA                                                                          

tALaM: jhaMpa

 

pallavi

 

srI kamalAmbAyAH paraM nahirE rE citta

kShityAdi shivAnta tatva svarUpiNyAH

 

anupallavi

 

srIkaNTha viShNu virincAdi janayitryAH

shivAtmakavishvakartryAH kArayitryAH

 

srIkara bahirdashAra cakrasthityAH

sevita bhairavI bhArgavI bhAratyAH

 

caraNam

 

nAdamaya sUkShmarUpa sarvasiddhipradAdi

dasha shaktyArAdhita mUrte

shrotrAdi dashakaraNAtmaka kuLa kauLi

kAdi bahuvidhopAsita kIrtE

abheda nitya shuddha Buddha mukta saccida

anandamaya paramAdvaitasphUrtE

Adi madhyAnta rahitAprameya guruguha

modita sarvArtha sAdhakasphUrtE

mUlAdi navAdhAra vyAvrtta dashadhvani bheda jna

yogi brnda saMrakShaNyA anAdi mAyA vidyA

kArya kAraNa vinodakaraNa paTutarakaTAkSa vIkShaNyA

 

Meaning

This kriti is in the pancamI vibhakti or the ablative case. The chakra for this fifth AvaraNa is called sarvasiddhiprada chakra – accomplishment of all purposes and is the outer set of ten triangles. The Avarana is Bahirdasara amd hence this charka is also known as bahirdashAra chakra. The Yogini is Kulotteerna yogini and are also known as Ten Shaktis. The Mudra is Sarvonmadini and the Siddhi is Vashitva. The mental state is Guroopa Sadanam. The presiding deity is Tripura Shri. Her vidya is is Haim Hklim Hsauh. The gem is pearl. The Shaktis are the ten starting with Sarva Siddhi Prada while 10 is the dominant number. This avarana corresponds to the neck of mother goddess. The nava AdhAra-s in Kundalini yOga -  mUlAdhAra, svAdhiShThAna, maNipUra, anAhata, madyamA, vajrakaNTHa, lambikA, vishuddha and AjnA.

Oh mind, there is nothing superior other than Mother Goddess Kamalamba. She is the epitome of all classes from the earth to Lord Shiva. She is creator of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, who is the architect of the universe, which is nothing but Lord Shiva in the real meaning. She who is the cause of all actions, dwells in the Chakra of the outer ten triangles, and is aided by Bhairavi, Bhargavi and Bharati who are Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. She who is of the subtle form is that of Nada – she is the personification of Nada and is worshipped by the ten Shaktis Sarvasiddhiprada and others. She who is popular for being worshiped in various kinds as Kula and Kaula, as the controller similar with the ten sense and motor organs. She who manifests the supreme eternal, spotless, enlightened and free self, who is the non – dual non-differentiated Brahman, the veracity of which is realization and ecstasy. She who is incomprehensible is without any beginning, middle, and end. Entertained by Guruguha and who reveals as the Sarvartha sadhaka Chakra – accomplishment of all purposes. Guardian of the Yoginis dwelling in the nine centers like Muladhara and who goes beyond these and is an expert at penetrating through them through the ten sounds. She who guards the Yogis and by Her mere fleeting look is competent of chasing away the ignorance and beginning-less illusion and the laws of cause and consequence.

Kamalamba Navavarnam – the fourth avarnam with meaning

caturtha AvaraNa krti

kamalAmbikAyai

sarvasaubhAgyadAyaka Chakra – that grants all auspiciousness 

rAgaM: kAmbhoji-Janya of the 28^th mElA                                               

tALaM: aTa

pallavi

kamalAmbikAyai kanakAMshukAyai

karpUra vITikAyai namastE namastE

anupallavi

kamala kAntAnujAyai kAmeshvaryai ajAyai

himagiritanujAyai hrIMkara pUjyAyai

kamalAnagara vihAriNyai khala samUha saMhAriNyai

kamanIya ratna hAriNyai kalikalmaSa parihAriNyai

caraNam

sakala saubhAgya dAyakAmbhoja caraNAyai

saMkShobhiNyAdi shaktiyuta caturthAvaraNAyai

prakaTa caturdasha bhuvana bharaNAyai

prabala guruguha saMpradAyAntaHkaraNAyai

akaLaNka rUpa varNAyai aparNAyai suparNAyai

sukara dhrta cApabANAyai shObhanakara manukoNAyai

sakuNkumAdilepanAyai carAcarAdi kalpanAyai

cikuravijita nIlaghanAyai cidAnandapUrNaghanAyai

Meaning

This song is in the caturthI vibhakti or the dative case. The fourth Avaranam is Chaturdasaram and the fourth chakra is the sarvasaubhAgyadAyaka Chakra that grants all auspiciousness. The Shaktis are the fourteen starting with Samkshobhini. It has fourteen triangles and is also known as manukoNa after the fourteen Manu-s. The Yogini is Sampradaya Yogini, the Mudra is Sarva Shankari, the Siddhi is Ishitva and the mental state is Iswara Vichara. The presiding deity is Tripura Vasini. Her vidya is Haim Hklim Hsauh. The gem is coral. 14 is the dominant number. This avarana corresponds to the heart of mother goddess.

My  salutation to You Goddess Kamalamba You wears golden clothes and masticates betal leaves flavored with camphor. You are the younger sister of the husband of Goddess Lakshmi i.e., Vishnu. You are Goddess Kameshvari who is unborn, you are the daughter of the Mount Himavan and is worshiped with the nadham or sound of Hrim. You who lives in the City of Kamalanagara or Tiruvarur, thus destroying  the dishonest ones, wearing beautiful chains made of gold, and removing the sins that people do in the present Kali age. Your feet are like lotus that grants all good things. You are the monarch of the fourth Avarana which is the Shakti Samkshobhini that grants all auspiciousness and rules the fourteen manifest worlds. You are the heart of the popular tradition to which Guruguha belongs possessing immaculate beauty and complexion. You are known as Aparna who refused food when she was in deep meditation to please her beloved Lord Shiva. You are the lovely bird and You hold a bow and arrows in your hand. You dwell in the Chakra containing fourteen triangles and You wear the Kunkuma. You are the originator of all movable and unmovable substance. You whose black hair triumphs over the dark clouds and is the full quintessence of consciousness and joy.

Kamalamba Navavarnam – IIIrd Avarna kriti with meaning

srI kamalAmbikayA

 

trtIya AvaraNa krti

SarvasamkshObana chakra - ‘agitates all’.

 

rAgaM: shaNkarAbharaNam 29^th mElA                            

tALaM: rUpakam (2 Kalai)

 

pallavi

 

srI kamalAmbikayA kaTAkShithohaM

saccidAnanda paripUrNa brahmAsmi

 

anupallavi

 

pAkashAsanAdi sakala devatA sevitayA

paNkajAsanAdi panca krtya krt bhAvitayA

 

shokahara catura padayA mUka mukhya vAkpradayA

kokanada vijaya padayA guruguhatatraipadayA

 

caraNam

 

anaNga kusumAdyaShTa shaktyAkArayA

aruNa varNa saMkShobhaNa cakrAkArayA

ananta koTyaNDa nAyaka shaNkaranAyikayA

aShTa vargAtmaka gupta tarayA varayA

 

anaNgAdyupAsitayA aShTadaLAbjasthitayA

dhanurbANa dharakarayA dayAsudhA sAgarayA

 

Meaning

 

This kriti is in the trtIyA vibhakti or instrumental case. The third Avaranam is Asta Dalam. The Chakram is Sarvasamkshobana chakra – ‘agitates all’. The Yogini is Gupta Tara. Mudra is Sarvakarshini and the Siddhi is Mahima. The mental state is Sushupti, the presiding deity is Tripura Sundari. The Saktis are eight starting with Ananga Kusuma. Her vidya is Hrim Klim Sauh. The gem is cat’s eye. 8 is the dominant number. This avarana corresponds to the navel region of mother goddess.

Shri Kamalambika has cast Her compassionate glance on me. Protect me. Worshipped by Indra and other devas and by Brahma who execute the Pancakritya, the five cosmic acts. Her feet are skillful in eradicating misery and gives back speech to the dumb. Her feet are compared to the lotus which is red in color. She is the epitome of Tat-Tvam-Asi instructed by Guruguha. Her form is a personification of the eight Shaktis, Anangakusuma and others. Enshrined in the Samkshobhana Chakra and is like the color of dawn. Beloved of Lord Shiva the Lord of  immeasurable universes. She is everlasting and hidden Ashtavarga, the eight sets of alphabets. She is fabulous dwelling on a lotus having eight petals and is worshipped by Ananga, the Cupid. Holding a bow and arrows she is a quintessence of the nectar of benevolence.

Kamalamba Navavarnam – IInd Avarnam with meaning

 

dvitIya AvaraNa krti

 

kamalAmbAM bhaja rE

SarvAsAparipUraka chakra – which fulfills all expectations

  

rAgaM:  kalyANi  65^th mElA

kAlyANi is known as shAntakalyANi in the AsampUrNa mElA scheme.

tALaM:  Adi

 

pallavi

 

kamalAmbAM bhajarE rE mAnasa

kalpita mAyA kAryaM tyajarE

 

anupallavi

 

kamalAvANI sevita pArshvAM

kambujaya grIvAM nata devAM

kamalApurasadanAM mrdugadanAM

kamanIya radanAM kamala vadanAm

 

caraNam

 

sarvAshA paripUraka cakrasvAminIM parama shivakAminIM

dUrvAsArcita gupta yoginIM duHkha dhvaMsinIM haMsinIm

nirvAna nija sukha pradAyinIM nityakalyANIM kAtyAyanIM

sarvANIM madhupa vijayavENIM sadguruguha jananIM niranjanIm

garvita bhaNDAsura bhanjanIM kAmAkarShiNyAdi ranjanIM

nirvisheSha caitanya rUpiNIM urvI tatvAdi svarUpiNIm                 

 

Meaning

 

This kriti is about the second charka is Sarvasaparipuraka chakra, which ‘fulfills all expectations’ consists of a circular arrangement of sixteen lotus petals. The second Avaranam is Shodasa Dalam and the yogini is Gupta Yogini. The mental state is Swapna, the presiding deity is Tripurasi. Her vidya is Aim Klim Sauh. The gem is sapphire.The Saktis are the sixteen starting with Kamakarshini.16 is the dominant number.This avarana corresponds to the Savdhistana chakra of the mother goddess.This kriti is in the dvitIyA vibhakti or the accusative case. Oh mind, worship Goddess Kamalamba, leave the worldy attachment which are nothing but Maya or illusion. She is surrounded by Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Sarasvati on wither sides. Her neck which is so beautiful outshines that of a conch. She is worshiped by the celestials. Residing at Kamalapura (Tiruvarur) her speech is soft and she has nice-looking teeth. Her face is compared to the Lotus. Ruler of the Sarvasa paripuraka Chakra, she is the wife of Lord Shiva. She is the numinous Yogini,prayed by Sage Durvasa. She wipes out all sufferings and rides on a swan. She grants salvation and is in flanked by sages. Ever- auspicious one Katyayani and Sarvani, her hair surpasses the dark tint of the honeybees. Mother of  Lord Guruguha who is immaculate and slayed the egotistical demon Bhandasura. Delights Kamakarshini, personification of unqualified consciousness and manifests in the principles of the world.