tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44853731994166595242012-01-27T09:18:28.700+05:30No film music composer has used Carnatic Ragas as extensively and beautifully as ILaiyaraaja. In this blog,I have tried to explain the classical elements and the nuances in his music..Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.comBlogger911100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-25686904528685237102012-01-13T20:55:00.002+05:302012-01-13T21:02:00.677+05:30

‘Oh!The one whose face shines like the moon…like the Full Moon’,sang the greatest carnatic music composer Saint Tyagaraja in his kriti‘Sasivadanaa..’.How can one not appreciate the beauty of that circular, luminous creature on the night sky? Look at this description taken from ‘Nala Chempu’, part of Sanskrit Literature.‘Kamadeva’s friend, the Moon has risen. Drenched in the moonlight, the entire

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-32476827272293036972011-11-15T20:21:00.002+05:302011-11-15T20:25:00.630+05:30

The Lady quarrels with her beloved. He leaves the town after trying in vain to make peace with her. Only when he is away does she realise how much she loves him and most importantly how much he loves her. She decides to go to him but her ego comes in her way. Stealthily, she sends her parrot. No..she does not use it as an ambassador.Nor does she want the parrot to convey anything to him.Then why

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-85312359457759092282011-09-27T19:22:00.001+05:302011-09-27T19:25:01.168+05:30

The Sangam period in Tamizh literature is very interesting. Historians place the period between 100 BC and AD 250. 2381 poems were composed by 473 poets (out of which nearly 100 remain anonymous). The poems are mature and classical poetry that go deep into the human psyche. They are marked by simple and detailed descriptions with the human emotions running as the undercurrent.Look at this poem

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-45254534554518213052011-08-29T15:07:00.004+05:302011-08-29T15:17:20.548+05:30

Of all the beautiful and interesting things in this world, colours are very special. Colours give us energy, enthusiasm, peace and tranquility. Who is not fascinated by colours? Enthralled by the beauty of the colourful sky, Mahakavi jumps with joy: Oh..How beautiful the colours are! How many shapes!How many mixtures! Lotions of Fire..Streams of molten gold.. Golden Pools!Golden Islands!

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-91248941854409989332011-08-29T14:57:00.002+05:302011-08-29T15:07:21.069+05:30

வண்ணங்கள்.. இவ்வுலகிலுள்ள அழகான பல விஷயங்களில் குறிப்பிடத்தக்க சிறப்பு வாய்ந்தவை வண்ணங்கள். வண்ணங்கள் நமக்கு சக்தி தரும்.எழுச்சி தரும்.ஊக்கம் தரும்.உற்சாகம் தரும்.அமைதி தரும்.சாந்தம் தரும். வண்ணங்களால் கவரப் படாதவர்கள் யார் இருக்க முடியும்? வானின் வர்ணஜாலங்களில் தன்னை மறந்த மஹாகவி இவ்வாறு பாடுகிறான்: என்ன இந்த வண்ணத்தியல்புகள்! எத்தனை வடிவம்!எத்தனை கலவை! தீயின் குழம்புகள்!செம்பொன்

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-29691316530909686282011-08-22T14:53:00.003+05:302011-08-23T12:27:56.003+05:30

How do poets and artists visualize things? This is a question that is rather difficult to answer. Some people in this world have an uncanny ability to not only think differently but also express differently and beautifully. They are imaginative, intelligent and of course innovative. One night, the great poet Thirugnasambandar sees a pearl on the banks of the Cauvery river and starts

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‘He, who has swallowed all the Seven Worlds, lies on a tiny banyan leaf; Bedecked with garlands of gems and pearls, He lies on the Serpant. Oh..His Dark blue complexion and His infinite Beauty has filled my heart to the brim!!”ஆலமாமரத்தின் இலை மேல் ஒரு பாலகனாய்ஞாலம் ஏழும் உண்டான் அரங்கத்து அரவின் அணையான்கோலமாமணி ஆரமும் முத்துத் தாமமும் முடிவில்லதோர் எழில்நீலமேனி ஐயோ! நிறை கொண்டது என் நெஞ்சினையே..

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-21252115024916182132011-06-21T21:05:00.003+05:302011-06-21T21:10:48.396+05:30

AruNagirinaathar, about whom I had written in my earlier posts-‘ILaiyaraaja-The Beautiful Musician’ and ‘Natana Raaja- Part I’- is a very special poet. Special, not just because of his transformation from a vagabond to a great bhakti poet or because of the enormity of his works (close to 16,000 songs and a host of ‘Viruththams’).Nor is it just because of the command of the language in his songs

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-33154330994986833312011-06-02T20:00:00.002+05:302011-06-02T20:02:49.908+05:30

‘Their Eyes full of tears, Mind Brimming with happiness, Body Ecstatic, Tongue searching for words, Brain numbed.. They look mad, mad.. For they are in love with you Goddess Abhirami, only Your path is good and blissful!’‘virumbith thozhum adiyaar vizhinNeer malki, mei puLakamarumbith thathumbiya aanantham aaki, aRivu izhanthukarumbin kaLiththu, mozhi thadumaaRi, mun sonna ellaamtharum piththar

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Long back, I had written that there is poetry in everything.Now, look at this scenario.The lover is away from his beloved. Unable to bear the pangs of separation, he decides to see her and begins his long journey. His mind travels faster than the light but can his chariot match that speed? On the way, he sees the splendour of nature.The gentle bamboo reminds him of her arms. He thinks of her

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-28826549848023140762011-04-16T10:16:00.004+05:302011-08-20T17:34:11.047+05:30

We have heard this many times: ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’. But is it possible to define ‘beauty’? Don’t we also know that ‘it lies in the eyes of the beholder’? While this may be true, it is beautiful to see some people see beauty in things that are considered otherwise. They also see and enjoy the contrasts in nature and life. These people not only think differently but also express

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-66151429849267467562011-03-27T21:40:00.002+05:302011-03-27T21:47:13.988+05:30

It is a well known fact that Kamban was a poet par excellence and that each verse of his is not only beautiful but also very deep and meaningful.Look at this situation and see how he handles it poetically.Mind you..this is just a sample from thousands of his immortal verses.Rama breaks the unbreakable.But Sita-who saw Rama for the first time just the previous evening and fell in love instantly-

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-606879008202337812011-02-08T22:33:00.002+05:302011-02-08T22:40:53.739+05:30

The versatility of geniuses is indeed amazing.Though we mortals tend to generalize and categorise people based on the little half baked knowledge we have, the great geniuses are beyond any classification or categorization.Though I can give many examples, let me just give one now.Most of you are familiar with Thiruvalluvar and his great work ThirukkuRaL. His ThirukkuRaL is one of the most revered

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-80646447734912031052011-01-04T20:08:00.002+05:302011-01-04T20:12:25.469+05:30

What is it that which attracts us to great poetry?Choice of words? Description? Narration? Or the subject itself?I am sure it is a combination of all these. But most importantly, it should appeal to us spontaneously, cast a spell on us and at the same time make us look for inner meanings and more and more meanings..Look at this poem:“It is a misty morning.. The Buffalo hears the cry of its calf

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-80737373347624992082010-12-10T19:10:00.004+05:302010-12-16T12:25:56.144+05:30

“Oh.. The one who is in a supine posture....My entire body is filled with love for you.. You melt me.. Oh! My sweet nectar..”ஆரா அமுதே அடியேன் உடலம் நின்பால் அன்பாயே,நீராய் அலைந்து கரைய வுருக்குகின்ற நெடுமாலே,சீரார் செந்நெல் கவரி வீசும் செழுநீர்க் திருகுடந்தை,ஏரார் கோலம் திகழக் கிடந்தாய் கண்டேன் எம்மானே. sang the inimitable Nammazhwar, about whom I have already written elaborately in my post on

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-60580792159964857292010-11-26T09:55:00.005+05:302010-11-26T10:09:59.520+05:30

‘Slicing through the dark clouds, the charming crescent moon reaches the cool hillock (of ThirukkodudumkunRam), the holy town where the one who bathes in ‘Panchagvaya-a mixture of five substances obtained from the cow resides accompanied by His Lady whose voice is as sweet as the honey’.VaaniR poliveythum mazai megam kiziththodikoonaR piRai cerum kuLir caaraRkodukunRamAaniR poliainthum amarnthu

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-66377400001030214612010-10-18T17:16:00.003+05:302010-10-18T21:01:25.930+05:30

‘Out of the world experience..’ ‘I got transported to another world..’ ‘He/She did Mayajaal..’How many times have we used/heard others use these phrases.Generally, we say this after listening or watching something extraordinary. At times, while reading some great works of poetry too..Why do we feel the experience itself is a different world? Aren’t we aware that we exist and continue to exist in

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-58193038761618261332010-08-31T14:20:00.004+05:302010-09-01T21:24:43.527+05:30

Looking at the Divine cosmic dance, the great Tamizh poet Karaikkal Ammaiyaar said ,‘Melody of the seven swaras.. Resounding rhythm. He dances in this grandeur’. துத்தம் கைக்கிள்ளை விளரி தாரம்உழை இளி ஓசை பண் கெழுமப்பாடிச்சச்சரி கொக்கரை தக்கையோடுதகுணிச்சம் துந்துபி தாளம் வீணைமத்தளம் கரடிகை வன்கை மென்றோல்தமருகம் குடமுழா மொந்தை வாசித்துஅத்தனை விரவினோடு ஆடும் எங்கள் அப்பன் இடம் திருவாலங்காடே.This

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-37377201755202758522010-08-31T14:10:00.001+05:302010-08-31T14:19:30.136+05:30

தெய்வீக நடனத்தை, இந்த அண்டத்தின் நாட்டியத்தைத் தன் கண்முன்னால் திருவாலங்காடு எனும் ஊரில் கண்ட காரைக்கால் அம்மையார் என்ற தமிழ்ப் புலவர்,இவ்வாறு பாடுகிறார்: துத்தம் கைக்கிள்ளை விளரி தாரம் உழை இளி ஓசை பண் கெழுமப்பாடிச்சச்சரி கொக்கரை தக்கையோடு தகுணிச்சம் துந்துபி தாளம் வீணைமத்தளம் கரடிகை வன்கை மென்றோல் தமருகம் குடமுழா மொந்தை வாசித்துஅத்தனை விரவினோடு ஆடும் எங்கள் அப்பன் இடம்

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-31401596771494476172010-08-24T13:37:00.005+05:302010-11-25T17:09:30.284+05:30

Repetition is a interesting concept.I am not referring to the repetition of empty rhetoric from our politicians nor am I referring to the shameless ‘Breaking News’ on the Television channels.This is purely a thread for classical elements, a fact I am sure regular followers of this Blog know very well.Yes..I am referring to the concept of Repetition in Classical music. Though one finds it in all

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-30281512754175124682010-08-17T19:52:00.002+05:302010-08-24T13:48:43.020+05:30

Poetry in motion..This is how one can describe an infant on the cradle.The way it kicks its legs..The way it moves its hands..The way it cries..The way it grumbles..What is this if not poetry?Periyaazhwar, the 9th Century Tamizh poet who composed 473 verses- out of which 210 verses are on the ‘growing-up’ of Child Krishna where he imagines himself to be Yasodha - says,‘When I put him on the

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-55288178203433333342010-08-10T17:36:00.004+05:302010-08-24T13:48:22.631+05:30

It is said that ‘Thiruvaachakam’ , the immortal work of the great Tamizh poet MaaNikka Vaachakar can melt even a stone.It is an outpouring of a honest devotee whose only objective was to reach the ultimate.And he knew what that ‘ultimate’ was.In one of his verses in the immortal work Thiruvaachakam, he says to the Lord,‘ You are as sweet and pure as the Honey. You are the nectar. I am dishonest,

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-23626767146195410322010-07-16T22:06:00.003+05:302010-08-24T13:47:16.570+05:30

How do we define beauty?Anything that is pleasing??But again, is it also not true that ‘Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’ and therefore is ‘beauty’ not subjective?What looks or sounds beautiful to me, need not look/sound beautiful to you.At the same time, there are some unwritten codes and norms that make us jump with joy and say ’this is beautiful!’.Though it is very difficult to say what

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-41500768172303262492010-06-02T21:10:00.002+05:302010-06-02T21:13:56.543+05:30

‘’Dancing in all its forms cannot be excluded from the curriculum of all noble education; dancing with the feet, with ideas, with words, and, need I add that one must also be able to dance with the pen?’’ said the great philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.Dance is considered to be the hidden language of the soul. There is no life without dance.Our beloved Raaja has composed many dance songs and these

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-12749446382665259222010-05-08T19:57:00.003+05:302011-08-05T13:33:56.266+05:30

Words, like music have emotions.When we read or write, what is it that that makes us involved in the subject?Situations.. Yes..Of course!Characters.. well..maybe!But how do we even understand or even feel all these unless they are expressed with appropriate words?Can we even imagine comprehending anything without that great thing called ‘words’?Can we imagine communicating anything without that

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-2981763511860337172010-03-02T17:54:00.004+05:302011-08-23T13:37:33.597+05:30

It is the City of Mythila. Seeta is unable to take her mind off Rama. Their eyes had met just the previous day and they had fallen for each other instantaneously. Rama is about to break the bow in the main palace. But Seeta -quite unaware of the happenings in the palace – is restless. Her mind is clouded by only one thing-rather only one person. She waits..hoping against hope that the ‘handsome

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-38810089409105720492009-12-29T10:53:00.002+05:302009-12-29T11:06:48.808+05:30

One of the most misused (and to a great extent abused) words is spirituality. Many people believe that if they are ‘believers’, they are spiritual; or that if they visit any place of worship religiously, they are spiritual; or if they perform any act to ‘please’ their favourite God’, they are spiritual.Such people can at best be called as Businessmen with strong negotiating skills.Talking about

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-75814263572374049532009-12-05T18:36:00.009+05:302010-03-24T18:47:02.573+05:30

பாழ் என, கால் என, பாகு என, ஒன்று எனஇரண்டு என, மூன்று என, நான்கு என, ஐந்து எனஆறு என, ஏழு என, எட்டு என, தொண்டு எனநால்வகை ஊழி எண் நவிற்றும் சிறப்பினை‘Zero, quarter, half, one,Two, three, four, five,Six, Seven, Eight, Nine,Thus the four eons speak about the numbers’.Does this sound like a Kindergarten class?Well.. almost! But is it not a fact that what we read (or for that matter experience) during

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-69375753225045944282009-11-27T19:07:00.002+05:302009-11-27T19:15:02.365+05:30

There is poetry in everything.If only we are able to understand and appreciate the poetry in what we see, what we feel and what we experience, our life will be more beautiful.One need not be a poet to do this. In fact, one does not have to be even a writer.All it requires is an objective view with a sense of aesthetics.This does not mean that if one takes a poetic view, the problem will be solved

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-19913392737934322942009-11-21T18:18:00.003+05:302009-11-21T18:27:24.500+05:30

‘That month in that white moonlight,We had our father and no one could take the hill.This month in this white moonlight,Kings with drums drumming victory have taken over the hill, And we have no father’.அற்றைத் திங்கள் அவ் வெண் நிலவில்,எந்தையும் உடையேம்; எம் குன்றும் பிறர் கொளார்;இற்றைத் திங்கள் இவ் வெண் நிலவில்,வென்று எறி முரசின் வேந்தர் எம்குன்றும் கொண்டார்; யாம் எந்தையும் இலமே!(English

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-3101911095777316182009-11-13T10:08:00.003+05:302009-11-21T18:06:40.151+05:30

At times we tend to misunderstand or misinterpret certain words. The word ‘sensuality’ is a classic example.In the Madras Music and Dance Season in Dec 2007, there was a symposium on a very interesting and intriguing topic-‘Sensuality in Dance and Music’. One of the persons ( a senior dancer!) who gave the introduction on the first day went to the extent of defining sensuality with the help of a

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-24365298500672978362009-10-26T10:47:00.002+05:302009-10-26T10:51:42.675+05:30

9994 is the Post Box No. of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in all the major cities in Australia.Can someone guess the significance of the number 9994?If one adds a decimal point after 99, it could make the guessing game somewhat easier..99.94?Does it have something to do with averages?Maybe a batting average…But can someone have a career batting average of 99.94?I am sure Cricket

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-85641176927152543042009-09-27T14:34:00.005+05:302009-11-25T18:17:37.633+05:30

Says the mother of the love-struck girl to the Lord,‘’If she says anything at all she says nothing but your Name.Remembering your sacred body she melts.Her Love is great and she can do nothing.With eyes long and shaped like fish, she has forgotten sleep.My fool, my little fool, she is so young, yet she knows you.In the presence of scandalmongers what do you mean to doO Lord of Itavitanthai,With

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-52753118462511507602009-09-17T10:44:00.003+05:302009-09-17T10:50:29.074+05:30

‘Her hair, rough-washed in water, on her faceSo spread her swollen lower lip is hurt.She sighs when thinking of us and our sport When on an instant now those nights revertTo hot tears falling on her sleeping place’.'Without her ornaments, too heavy grown,She lies the midway through her bed of pain.Enfeebled, miserable, consumed by tears:Assuredly to view her is to drop your rain,An act to which

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-46421753601936724152009-09-09T20:46:00.005+05:302010-01-11T13:08:05.607+05:30

Our life is full of vibrations.These vibrations are very subtle and most of the times, they are sensed only by the subconscious mind.But sometimes the vibrations are so powerful that we sail to a new world-a world that is blissful, a world that is peaceful, a world that is tranquil.It is a different feeling altogether.We feel a sudden burst of energy entering us, ripping through us, and

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-48039298138531449382009-09-01T12:26:00.004+05:302009-09-01T13:18:36.430+05:30

அதிர்வுகள் நிரம்பியதே மனித வாழ்க்கை.யோசித்துப் பார்த்தால்,மனித வாழ்க்கையே ஒருவிதமான அதிர்வுதான். இந்த அதிர்வுகளை பெரும்பாலும் நமது ஆழ் மனதே உணர்ந்து கொள்ளுகிறது.எனினும்,சில வேளைகளில் மிகவும் சக்தி மிக்க அதிர்வுகள் நம்மை அமைதியான,பேரானந்தமயமான ஒரு உலகிற்கு அழைத்துச்செல்லுவதை உணர்கிறோம். அப்பொழுது ஒரு சீறிய சக்தி பாய்ந்து,நம்முள் புகுந்து ஒவ்வொரு அணுவிலும் புகுந்து நம்மை ஆட்கொள்ளும்.இம்மாதிரி

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-82560588954829662372009-08-17T11:41:00.004+05:302009-11-21T18:18:25.690+05:30

We human beings are guided by our emotions.But have we ever sat back and thought as to how we express our emotions? How do we convey what we intend to convey? What kind of language do we use?Is it appropriate and at the same time striking?The fact of the matter is our personality to a great extent is determined by the way we communicate.When we communicate anything, the other person's mind

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-69486102829658230912009-08-12T09:57:00.003+05:302009-11-21T18:17:05.622+05:30

Not all things we see or hear are eternal in this ever changing world. In other words, only few things in this world are everlasting.Take the sea for example. Waves come, waves go, but it lives forever.Trees grow, trees fall..but the Mountains continue to exist.Some more examples can be given but in any case these are part of nature.What about man-made things?Is it true that only God’s(or nature’

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-81954244814423848752009-07-30T11:28:00.005+05:302009-11-21T18:16:18.180+05:30

Have we ever thought as to why birds make trees their abode?Is it a sense of security?Is it affinity?Is it natural attraction?By the way, why should the birds be attracted to trees?We all know how musical birds are.But have we noticed that trees are musical as well?The sound of the tree rustling in the breeze..The green leaves..The smiling flowers..The shining fruits..We hear the Shruti..Swaras..

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-45558916369114666032009-07-20T10:42:00.004+05:302009-11-21T18:15:25.153+05:30

Lotus is a very beautiful flower. It is also a very interesting flower.It is a friend of the Sun but enemy of the moon.Lotus petals are considered to be very soft.The shape of the flower is also very unique.The Bahá'í Temple in Delhi is in the shape of a Lotus.I have meditated there and it is not possible to descibe the vibrations and the blissful experience I had there.It is also said that the

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-41563569931979911802009-07-16T14:35:00.003+05:302009-11-21T18:05:15.342+05:30

Plus a change, plus c’est la meme chose’.This is a French term and it means ‘The more things change, the more they remain the same’.Sounds paradoxical..But if we delve into this we find that it does make sense.Let us take Music.New discoveries and inventions have taken place in the last so many years. But has there been an instance of a new Note or Swara being discovered or invented?What is

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-57927410835220716942009-06-10T16:18:00.003+05:302012-01-20T18:15:58.968+05:30

‘’I go down to their level and then try to take them along with me to a higher level. It sounds easy but is difficult in practice.’’‘’The setting does not matter. It is the intent that matters’’.These are the words of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, one of the popular Sufi musicians.Rahat and his uncle, the great legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan were accused by the ‘purists’ of taking the Qawwali and Sufi

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-20980823906425616372009-06-02T17:55:00.004+05:302009-11-23T17:24:06.154+05:30

‘There's music in the sighing of a reed;There's music in the gushing of a rill;There's music in all things, if men had ears:Their earth is but an echo of the spheres.’Said Lord Byron .Subramaniya Bharati went one step ahead.Listening to the song of a cuckoo, he wants to become a cuckoo himself . The cuckoo inspired him so much that he dedicated one of his works to the bird.Titled ‘Kuyil Paattu’(

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-39899675486338512732009-05-23T19:56:00.003+05:302009-11-21T18:03:46.972+05:30

''Language is the Music of Nature'' said William Wordsworth.I would like to modify this and say ''Music is The Language of Nature''.There is Music in Nature. Natural elements like Rivers, Mountains and the Sea not only produce Music but also have produced great Musicians.Take River for example.The Great composer in Carnatic Music, Saint Thyagaraja grew up in Thiruvaiyaru(confluence of five rivers

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-18977447839252054672009-05-21T14:34:00.001+05:302009-05-21T14:36:53.890+05:30

Sita and Rama see each other and it is ‘Love at First Sight’.Rama leaves the place and Sita is tormented by his thoughts.Tamizh Poet Kamban describes this wonderfully:Sita says,‘His Dark Hair, His Moonlike Face, Long Hands, Mountain like Shoulders,Even Before seeing these, I lost myself to His Captivating Smile !’இந்திர நீலம் ஒத்து இருண்ட குஞ்சியும்சந்திர வதனமும் தாழ்ந்த கைகளும்சுந்தர மணிவரைத்

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-41961408253331317232009-04-10T13:54:00.003+05:302009-04-10T14:02:17.905+05:30

‘Nadaloludai Brahmananda Mandave Manasa..’‘Sangeetha Sastra Gnaanamu Saaroopya Sowkyathame Manasa’These are the first lines of two Krithis(in Kalyanavasantham and Mukhari Ragams respectively) of Saint Thyagaraja. The greatness of a composer is shown by the way he presents his compositions.Thygaraja Krithis are considered unique not just because of the Bhakti Bhava but also because of the

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-83448168506509163082009-03-21T12:19:00.002+05:302009-03-21T12:45:45.434+05:30

’Music and silence combine strongly because music is done with silence, and silence is full of music’’said Marcel Marceau.Marcel was a French mime artiste and was the world’s most famous mime who created ‘Bip’, the white-faced clown.Marceau has performed all over the world and spread L'art du silence meaning the ‘Art of silence’.He respected silence and considered it as an art.Is silence full of

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-14554011290662293542009-03-04T16:50:00.006+05:302009-03-25T13:55:03.197+05:30

Out of the 12 Vaishnavite saints-called as Aazhwars- Nammaazhwar is considered to be very special.The 12 Aazhwars composed verses in Tamizh totaling 4000 in number and this compiled work is called as the ‘Naalaayira Divya Prabhandam’. This treatise is considered to be very sacred..But is not the Bhakti element alone that attracts Literature lovers to this work. The Language and the Description

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-68594232289054163102009-03-02T20:42:00.002+05:302009-11-21T18:00:32.476+05:30

Tamizh language is extraordinary.Yes.. It is more than 3000 years old and it is a language still in use unlike other classical languages. But it is extraordinary not just because of this fact.The literature of Tamizh is very rich and incomparable with any of the major languages.Starting from the Sangam literature-that itself has 18 works- it has the five major epics, five minor epics, ThirukkuraL

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-92022936809683154202009-02-10T12:57:00.004+05:302009-11-21T18:01:23.842+05:30

Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow worldLike a Colossus, and we petty menWalk under his huge legs..”says Cassius to Brutus about Julius Caesar in William Shakespeare’s immortal classic.Colossus?It is not an ordinary word.It denotes a person or a thing that is extremely important or large in size.Why did Shakespeare choose to use this word?Julius Caesar transformed the Roman Republic to Roman

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-22902636466537164612009-01-30T21:19:00.002+05:302009-01-30T21:22:36.682+05:30

Human mind is unique.Unique not just because it feels things;not just because it thinks;not just because it perceives;not just because it analyses;not just because it reasons.These of course are some of the important characteristics of our mind.But there is yet another aspect that makes it unique and special. It is the capacity and capability to will. Is this good or bad? Is it positive or

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-48158968105169999992009-01-10T15:40:00.007+05:302009-11-21T17:59:08.998+05:30

‘’Not all tradition is to be valued. Tradition that does not respect the rights of individuals as people, need to be changed…. Tradition is born out of circumstance and the need of the hour or the power of the hour. Situations change, our perspectives change.”says Mallika Sarabhai, a well known classical dancer(and the daughter of one of the greatest scientists in India Dr.Vikram Sarabhai).She

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-22849767026706359242009-01-04T22:17:00.003+05:302009-11-21T17:58:10.072+05:30

“In art and in science, discoveries are made by breaking the rules.”“How can we use our creative imagination to visualise the invisible? I am fascinated by the nature of creative thinking; the mind’s ability to transform information from everyday experiences into the most sublime works of art, literature, music and science. Is there anything that links the thought processes of the world’s

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-53863138317444128462009-01-01T18:28:00.002+05:302009-11-21T17:57:35.080+05:30

Each Moment is a Surprise,Each Moment A Dream,Each Moment is A Pleasure,Is It Possible To Express?’‘KaNamthorum ViyappugaL Puthiya Thondrum,KaNamthorum Vevveru KanvugaL Thondrum,KaNamthorum Navanavamai KaLippugal Thondrum,Karudhidavum Sollidavum Ellitho?’கணந்தோறும் வியப்புகள் புதிய தோன்றும்;கணந்தோறும் வெவ்வேறு கனவுகள் தோன்றும்;கணந்தோறும் நவநவமாய் களிப்புகள் தோன்றும்;கருதிடவும் சொல்லிடவும் எளிதோ?

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-91536178422395706052008-12-27T14:00:00.004+05:302009-11-21T17:55:37.658+05:30

In Mathematics, there is something called Duality. It is nothing but translating one concept into other concept by means of an involution operation.It is a very interesting concept and I feel it has lot of relevance to the Human life and Nature.Most of the things we see in this world come in pairs.Let us take the organs in the human body.. Eyes, ears, hands, legs, nostrils.. In fact, the nostrils

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-9895564816384532512008-12-25T18:51:00.003+05:302009-11-25T18:27:28.842+05:30

This world is beautiful. If we take time off from our busy schedule and start looking at things around us, we discover many new things (and old things). Some of these are amazing.The stars, the moon, the clouds, the sky, the rain, the flowers..Each and every time we look at these, we feel different; our experience is different; our thinking is different.Finally it depends on how one perceives

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-16325660584262088662008-12-21T08:55:00.004+05:302009-11-21T17:53:21.107+05:30

‘‘Put Mind over Matter.’’This is what the Self-Improvement Gurus tell us.What guides our lives-the Mind or the Intellect?Are we all led by our emotions or are we moulded by our thinking?Well, it is a very vast and deep subject and my intention is not to get into this and find answers.Let me confine my discussion to fine arts.Take any art form.The Artiste feels.The Artiste emotes.The Artiste

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-79404861975730489182008-12-11T19:56:00.003+05:302009-11-21T17:54:10.263+05:30

It is a well - known fact that Tamizh language is one of the oldest languages in the world.Not only is it old but also it is very rich in literature.But what makes Tamizh unique and special is that it has survived the ravages of time and is still spoken by millions of people across the globe. Sometime back I had written about the translation of a 2500 year old ‘Kurunthogai’ poem appearing in

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-47225011223348580012008-11-28T21:06:00.010+05:302008-12-09T09:19:28.025+05:30

‘Our True Nationality is mankind’ said H.G.Wells.‘Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first’ said Charles de Gaulle.What is this ‘nationalism’ and ‘patriotism’ all about?In this modern fast paced world, do we really care for the nation?Do we really care for the mankind?Do we care for anything at all??Let us first see

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-41514811341759711432008-11-27T10:46:00.002+05:302009-11-26T17:51:53.435+05:30

‘Love my enemy Oh! ‘Love my enemy.’Sounds odd?Strange??These are the words of the great Subramania Bharati.Addressing this to his mind, he goes on to say ‘Don’t we see the shining flame amidst the darkening flame? The Lord lives in all the souls.. yes in my enemy’s soul as well..?’பகைவனுக்கருள்வாய் நன்னெஞ்சே!பகைவனுக்கருள்வாய்!புகை நடுவினில் தீயிருப்பதை பூமியிற் கண்டோமேநன்னெஞ்சே பூமியிற் கண்டோமே!

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-74839760400162234632008-11-23T19:56:00.003+05:302009-11-21T17:52:08.777+05:30

Saint Thyagaraja says to Rama, ‘You are my light; you are the beautiful smell.You are the crux of my Life’.‘Naa Jeevadhara Naa Nomu palama, Naa Joopu Prakasamu, Naa Nasika Parimalama..’In another Krithi, he says,‘Can anything be more blissful than being with you?Dancing and singing about you is more than enough for me’‘Inthakanna Aanandamemi O Rama Rama!Aaduchu Naadamuna Paaduchu Ethutara Veduchu

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-38213983271255115452008-11-13T16:17:00.001+05:302008-11-13T16:20:25.045+05:30

'Bigger Than The Earth, Certainly,Higher Than The Sky,More Unfathomable Than The WatersIs This Love For This ManOf the mountain slopes where Bees make rich honey from the flowers of the KurinchiThat has such black stalks'.நிலத்தினும் பெரிதே வானினும் உயர்ந்தன்றுநீரினும் ஆரள வின்றே சாரல்கருங்கோற் குறிஞ்சிப் பூக்கொண்டுபெருந்தேன் இழைக்கு நாடனொடு நட்பே.The Sangam Tamizh Poetry from the early classical

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-75730801582646150562008-11-11T14:50:00.001+05:302008-11-11T14:54:02.846+05:30

The great Sanskrit Poet Bharavi -while talking about the greatest things in the Universe said,‘Pushpeshu JaathiPurusheshu VishnuNareeshu RambhaNagareshu Kanchi’Among Flowers, it is Jasmine Among Men, it is Vishnu (Purusha has deep meanings and we are not getting into that now)Among Women it is Rambha Among Cities, it is Kanchipuram.If Bharavi was alive today , he would have said ‘Among Cine

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-24871099875772148622008-11-03T16:58:00.002+05:302009-11-21T17:51:27.254+05:30

Wealth’ and ‘Richness’ are very interesting words.Generally we associate these words with money.Materialistic outlook!Good or bad?Without getting into this debate shall we look at these words and see if they show us(or give us) what money cannot buy.We say he/she brings in a wealth of information.We say ‘wealth of knowledge’We say ‘wealth of experience’We say ‘wealth of knowledge’.We say ‘rich

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-8464350424667916702008-10-15T19:19:00.002+05:302011-10-03T17:50:38.923+05:30

Our Life revolves around numbers.It is in deed impossible to think of any human activity without numbers.Our age, the time, the grocery, the Bus Route, the Car Registration, the TV Channel..well the list is endless..And yes..Music and numbers..It is an inextricable link.Each number is unique and has its own beauty.Thirumazhisai Aaazhwar-one of whose paasurams I had already quoted in my post on ‘

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-18258032947261467322008-10-12T21:26:00.002+05:302009-11-25T18:24:14.397+05:30

தோள் கண்டார் தோளே கண்டார்;தொடுகழற்கமலம் எனதாள் கண்டார் தாளே கண்டார்;தடக்கை கண்டாரும் அஃதேவாள்கொன்ட கண்ணார் யாரே வடிவினை முடியக் கண்டார்?ஊழ்கொண்ட சமயத்து அன்னான் உருவு கண்டாரை ஒத்தார்.When Rama goes back to Mythila for his betrothal with Sita, the women of Mythila swarm him and vie with one another to have a glimpse of his beauty. Poet Kamban says women who looked at his shoulders kept looking at

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-29684377360788335812008-10-01T18:22:00.005+05:302009-12-09T11:23:48.626+05:30

Ancient Literature has dealt with various aspects and dimensions of Life.The beauty of Literature lies not just in the Subjects/Topics but in the way these have been presented aesthetically.The Sangam Literature in Tamizh has poems of Love and War –the former called as ‘Agam’ and the latter ‘Puram’. The Sweep , the immediacy and minute observation of Human Behaviour make these poems one of the

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-31952626569474630672008-09-15T15:21:00.004+05:302009-12-09T11:22:43.761+05:30

Saint Thyagaraja saw the Almighty in all living and non-living things.In his ‘Paramaarthudu Velige’-a Kriti set in Vaagatheeswari Ragam, he says ‘The Almighty is present in the Five Elements, in Animals, in Birds, in the Trees, in Good Things as well as Bad Things and in all Human Beings.‘Gaganaa Nila Tejo Jala BhoomayamaguMruga,Gaga,Naka,Tharu KodulaloSagunamulo Vigunamulo SathathamuSadhu

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-55245509878719236582008-09-10T09:00:00.003+05:302009-12-09T11:21:37.635+05:30

''What could my mother be to yours?What kin is my father to yours anyway?And how did you and I ever meet?But in Love our Hearts have mingledLike red earth and pouring rain.''These verses have been engraved in the coaches of London Tube (Rail) Trains.If a poem gets such a royal status in ‘Queen’s Land’, it must be very special and certainly must have been written by a great English poet..Was it

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-49871516272699158362008-09-10T08:58:00.002+05:302009-12-09T11:19:52.537+05:30

Certain things in this world have an eternal charm.A child’s smile or a giggle, the birds, whisper of the breeze, sound of the waves, the drizzle, sunrise, sunset, rainbow.. Isn’t this amazing?Some people and their works too have that eternal beauty.For example let us take Saint Thyagaraja ..The lyrical and musical values in his compositions are amazing. His use of heavy ragas, popular ragas,

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-38386914994304279512008-09-10T08:57:00.002+05:302009-12-09T11:19:04.200+05:30

'What all does the breeze bring?Sound of the Bell, Sound of the Barking Dogs,Sound of the Beggars,Sound of The Door,Sound of the Conch,Sound of the Gossiping People,Sound of the Crying Baby....Let us sing and celebrate..'மண்ணுலகத்து நல்லோசைகள் காற்றெனும் வானவன் கொண்டு வந்தான்பண்ணிலிசைத்த அவ்வொலிகள் அனைத்தையும் பாடி மகிழ்ந்திடுவோம்நண்ணி வருமணி யோசையும், பின்னங்கு நாய்கள் குலைப்பதுவும்எண்ணுமுன்னே '

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-25063694662690707192008-09-10T08:55:00.002+05:302009-12-09T11:17:27.210+05:30

At times it is amazing to note how simple things could be so beautiful.Crisp, Concise, Short words carry more weight than lengthy, verbose, garrulous statements.Communication experts would often say KISS.If your imagination is running wild, let me tell you that KISS is the acronym of Keep It Sweet and Short!Take ThirukkuraL for example. It is the embodiment of enlightened wisdom; a literary

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-38464481816000687482008-09-10T08:52:00.004+05:302009-12-09T11:16:12.113+05:30

காதலினால் மானுடர்க்குக் கவிதை யுண்டாம்;கானமுண்டாம் சிற்பமுதற் கலைக ளுண்டாம்;ஆதலினால் காதல் செய்வீர்;உலகத்தீரேஅ.'.தன்றோ இவ்வுலகத் தலைமை யின்பம்.Love Gives Poetry;Love Gives Music;Love is the Source of Fine Arts;Therefore, Please Love!Is it not the Eternal Bliss!!Subramania Bharathi, was a multi-faceted, multi dimensional personality. His poems covered a gamut of topics like Patrioticm, Feminism,

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-91872766352096337232008-09-10T08:50:00.006+05:302011-01-26T17:45:57.867+05:30

Whenever we read something beautiful, we say it is poetic.Whenever we hear something great, we say it is musical.But we also use these expressions whenever we undergo a great experience…We say ‘The journey was Musical’ or ‘The valley is poetic’.At times we also say that the Music is so poetic or that the Poem is so Musical..This is because there is a Connoisseur in all of us!Now look at this poem

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-23072829670567940232008-09-07T10:08:00.009+05:302009-12-12T10:38:32.187+05:30

‘’Veni, Vidi, Vici’’.These words were spoken by Julius Caesar after his victory over Pharnaces II of Pontus.The English Translation of this Latin phrase, ’I Came, I Saw, I Conquered’ is one of the most famous quotes of all times and one is left wondering as to how words could sound so Majestic!Tamizh Poet Kamban –who is called as the Master of Words-has composed lot of verses that abound with

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-59185776334119155462008-08-31T22:05:00.005+05:302011-01-20T10:37:35.032+05:30

மலைகளுக்கும், தென்றல் காற்றிற்கும் கண்டிப்பாக ஒரு தொடர்பு இருக்கிறது.நாம் மலையின் மேலே ஏறிச் செல்ல செல்ல குளுமையை உணர்கிறோம்.தென்றல் நம்மை இன்னும் நன்றாகத் தழுவிச் செல்வதை காண்கிறோம்.நமது இயக்கத்திற்குக் காரணமாகிய பிராண சக்தி மலை உச்சியில் அதிகமாக உணரப் படுவதாக பலர் சொல்லி இருக்கிறார்கள்;சொல்கிறார்கள்.மலைகளுக்கும் காற்றிர்க்கும் உள்ள நெருங்கிய தொடர்பையே, உறவையே இது உணர்த்துகிறது.யோசித்துப்

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-34106361000949600722008-08-31T21:53:00.004+05:302009-12-09T11:08:39.906+05:30

Mountains and the breeze have a very special relationship.The higher we go on a Mountain, the cooler it becomes. It is also said that our Life force called as Prana flows better in higher planes. I attribute this to the relationship between the Mountain and the Breeze.In a way, one is the opposite of the other.We can see a mountain. But can we see the breeze?The Mountain stays in a place and

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-70869801692506239172008-04-01T13:49:00.005+05:302009-12-08T12:33:48.623+05:30

Human life is very beautiful.Though there are things that make us sad or angry, there are enough things in life to keep us happy and cheerful.Why ‘ enough things’? I can even say ‘there are two things in our life that keep us happy and cheerful.’…Yes.. I am talking about Music and Poetry.In fact, life, music and poetry are inextricably linked. Sometime back, I wrote as to how musical our life is.

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-15505376507380765672008-02-20T19:01:00.006+05:302009-12-09T11:07:17.618+05:30

Thithath thaththath Thithath thithithaathai thaathathuth thithath thithaThithath thaththath Thithath Thithithitha Thethuthu Thithi thathaThithath thaththath Thithathai Thaathathi Thethuthai ThaathathathuThithath thaththath Thithithi TheeThee Thithithuthi Thee Thothathe.திதத்தத்தத் தித்தத் திதிதாதை தாததுத் தித்தத்திதாதிதத்தத்தத் தித்தத் திதித்தித்த தேதுத்து தித்திதத்தாதிதத்தத்தத் தித்தத்தை தாததி

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-42359254974702481272008-02-18T17:18:00.005+05:302009-12-09T10:51:18.740+05:30

Nature is the Fountain’s Head,The Source from whenceAll originality must spring.These were the words of John Constable , the pioneering and path-breaking English Artist who lived between the years 1776 and 1837.His paintings were huge Six-footers capturing the beauty of timeless rural scenes of the English countryside in a vibrant and ever-changing light and imparting a unique character that

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-14984506456674041002008-02-15T18:37:00.005+05:302009-12-09T10:49:37.741+05:30

Quite often, I wonder as to how some people are very special. By ‘special’, I do not mean the VIP status given to many people(though undeservingly!).In fact , most of the genuinely special people were not even given due recognition during their lifetime.I am talking about people who were/are extraordinary in one field or the other and are born Geniuses.A close analysis and observation suggest

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-5970554183587533042008-02-09T17:36:00.003+05:302009-12-09T11:06:21.671+05:30

Oh! Happily Singing Cuckoos! What Music is this - Dull And Gloomy?When The Lord Of The Venkata Hill Bestows The Vivacious Life On Me , Come To Sing In Glee,And If The Lord With Garuda In His Banner Graces And Commingle With Me ,I Will Entreat You To Come And Delight Me in Soul Stirring Music!பாடும் குயில்காள்!ஈது என்ன பாடல்?நல் வேங்கிட நாடர் நமக்கு ஒரு வாழ்வு தந்தால் வந்து பாடுமின்ஆடும்

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-3185263276054504942008-02-05T18:08:00.002+05:302009-12-09T11:05:11.334+05:30

“I wonder how many of you noticed the rainbow last evening? It was just over the water, and one came upon it suddenly. It was a beautiful thing to behold , and it gave one a great sense of joy, an awareness of the vastness and the beauty of the earth.To communicate such joy one must have a knowledge of words, the rhythm and beauty of right language, mustn’t one? But what is more important is the

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-59408078340294599912008-02-02T18:31:00.002+05:302009-12-09T11:04:03.166+05:30

‘Amma Ravamma Tulasamma Nannu Palimpa’..Saint Thyagaraja sang this Krithi on Tulasi, the Garland of which adorns Lord Vishnu .Tulasi has lot of Medicinal qualities .The Flavour of Tulasi is enough to give a divine feeling.It is like the healing touch of the Mother.Addressing Tulasi as Mother is the most beautiful part of this Krithi.The Supreme is worshipped in different forms.Considering the

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-74695114178847659842008-01-28T17:10:00.002+05:302009-12-09T11:02:16.377+05:30

Cinema is one of the most exaggerated Art Forms.My intention is not to open a Pandora’s Box by making a sweeping statement.All said and done, one has to accept the fact that the Dialogues , the Expressions, the Make-Up and most importantly the Contrived Situations cannot be classified as ‘Real’.Even the so called Realistic Films have an undertone of artificiality in them.In fact, this is what

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-35419432841411866002008-01-26T16:51:00.003+05:302011-11-03T16:49:08.195+05:30

After 5 posts in this Blog,the time has come for me to say why I love ILaiyaraaja and why I consider him as a genius par excellence.1.KNOWLEDGE:His knowledge of music is amazing.He is adept in Carnatic, Hindustani, Western classical and folk music.Not many people can match his repertoire.2.USE OF KNOWLEDGE/APPLICATION:People may have knowledge but what matters is how it is applied and put to

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-65322843340593423552008-01-25T14:21:00.007+05:302009-12-09T10:59:49.735+05:30

Saint Thyagaraja was a very interesting personality.It is of course a known fact that he was a Musician par excellence. His mastery over Telugu and his ability to compose with consummate ease is very well established. He was also one of the greatest Bhaktas(Devotee) of all times.But there are certain qualities which make him and his compositions unique .One is his ubiquitous reference to Music in

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-70066117199493504832008-01-24T19:51:00.002+05:302009-11-26T18:15:33.760+05:30

The great Tamizh poet Thiruvalluvar said ‘People who have studied and discovered different facets of Nature, enlighten fresh truths and codes not known so far’கற்றீண்டு மெய்ப்பொருள் கண்டார் தலைப்படுவர்மற்றீண்டு வாரா நெறி.It is not just enough to acquire and gain knowledge. What matters is how one applies it.Illaiyaraaja has studied Music in depth. So have many other composers. But what

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-87201812811033480552008-01-23T18:23:00.002+05:302009-12-09T10:57:49.699+05:30

“There is a lot of Mathematics in Music. Not just in places where the Talam is explicitly seen but also in Music that does not follow any Talam. Music is not just in complex calculations.Rhythm or Mathematics(called as Kalapramanam in Carnatic Music) is inherent though subtle in every phrase.In its natural course and flow, all forms of Music have Mathematics in them.”“In a painting there is

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-11519592546803951282008-01-22T18:17:00.004+05:302009-12-09T10:54:08.980+05:30

Seperation or Viraha is a pet topic of poets.All major literary works depict Viraha beautifully.One of the major works in Sanskrit ,’Geeta Govinda’ was written by Jayadeva in the 12th century .It talks about Krishna and Radha -symbolizing the Supreme being and a devotee respectively- and has lot of philosophical connotations.But it also depicts divine love at its best and therefore can be

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485373199416659524.post-16674287411091381352008-01-21T22:42:00.002+05:302009-11-26T17:59:51.943+05:30

The poetic beauty of Kamba Ramayanam is very well known.Kamban was a Poet par excellence .His choice of words and his beautiful, and meaningful descriptions convey many intricate things!Here is a scene from his ‘Bala Gandam’.A Battery of People from Ayodhya throng Mythila for Rama-Sita’s Wedding. Romance is in the air and Kamban wonderfully describes Love.Not the Love of Rama –Sita , but the Love

Rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119911558538564131noreply@blogger.com8