Brindavana Saranga – Ragapedia 1

a ragam appealing to all kinds of listeners

Ragapedia is a series of posts I am writing, one Carnatic Raga per post, on my understanding of the ragam, carnatic compositions in that ragam and how it has been dealt with…

Begada – Ragapedia 3

a ragam with zig zag scale and foreign notes — non conforming in a sense

Ragapedia is a series of posts I am writing, one Carnatic Raga per post, on my understanding of the ragam, carnatic compositions in that ragam…

For the love of God

Padams and Javalis need no specific introduction. A simple google search will tell you all that you need to know – these compositions use the sringara rasa, (i.e) the love of God in the lines of Nayika / Nayaka bhava; these compositions are predominantly used in dance as they are very…

Niroshta – Ragapedia 2

a pentatonic, new age ragam without the swaras that a bilabial sound

Ragapedia is a series of posts I am writing, one Carnatic Raga per post, on my understanding of the ragam, carnatic compositions in that ragam and…

Discovering MDR

One usual compliment a singer gets after they sing something, is, “You have a sweet voice”. That means, the listener observes the pleasantness in the voice than the rendition. A corollary to it would be, a musician singing in a tough and/or base voice would be less pleasant to hear. At least I was…

Balamurali Krishna

Carnatic musician, violinist, veena player, playback singer, actor Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna (1930 – 2016) is a multi-faceted genius, but since I’m writing about composers here, let’s talk about the composer in him.

Rajam 100

Rajam sir was an artist of the Ajanta style, an actor in period films, AIR top grade artiste, an uncompromising yet unconventional carnatic musician, an encouraging teacher and above all, a simpleton from Nadu Street, Mylapore. He was born on 10th February 1919 and today is the centenary of this legend.