The mind!
One of the most enigmatic and
mysterious things in the world. Conquer the mind and you will conquer the
Universe. After all, aren’t these two related?
Why am I talking about this
now? Though there are varied reasons, the prime one is the significance of the
day. It is the 176th aaradhana of Tyagaraja, one of the most
prolific and genius composers the world has ever seen and whose name itself is
enough to define music. Let me give just two samples of his genius.
The 7th CharaNam of
the first Pancharatna(these 5 kritis are considered to be the pinnacle) goes
something like this – Omkaara panjara keerapura- which means – You are the
parrot who lives in the cage of PraNavaa-, the swaras in ‘Omkaara’, being ‘Sa..sa…..’,
that is, the upper Sa for Om and then just the sustenance on the lower sa,
giving the sound of the PraNavaa(Om).
In the 1st CharaNam
of the 5th Pancharatna, which goes like ‘Saama gaana lola’, he has
composed in such a way that it just sounds like the Saama veda, the veda known
for its musicality.
I know these are some advanced
details and I have tried to simplify it as much as possible so that the intricacies
are brought to light and the nuances are appreciated.
In the beginning, I spoke
about the mind. Let us see a kriti of his which was used by ILaiyaraaja- who
happens to be an ardent devotee of Tyagaraja. In fact, this kriti was used by
him twice in two different movies. The one I am posting now is in the voice of
Yesudass and Janaki from ‘Isai Paadum ThendRal’(1986).
For a change, I am not going
to keep the description brief. But before that, I must tell you all that there
are two versions to this kriti, ‘Manasuloni Marmamulu Telusuko’, one in Hindolam
and the other in a raga called Varamu, which has the other variant of the ‘ga’.
Raaja sir however has used only the Hindolam version in both the movies.
The bird call in the beginning
sets the tone ideally. After all, isn’t our mind too like a bird? With
pulsating weight, Janaki sings the akaaram. It is a beautiful sketch of that
grand raga called Hindolam, whose Hindustani counterpart Malkauns is sung during
the small hours in the morning after midnight, as per theory. The raga then
moves with coherence and fluency, unfolding with great zeal, unravelling the
beauty with grace and sensitivity. The overlapping of the swaras and the
superimposition are like a rapier cut. Only difference is that this is soft and
soothing.
Yesudass joins and continues
the akaaram in his inimitable way. The brief rhythmic ensemble towards the end
is the jewel in the crown.
‘Understand the inner yearning
of my mind, Oh the One with the hues of the Emerald and whose heart if always
filled with bliss!! In the past You protected me with your immense affection.
Hold my hand now as I need You the most now’.
Applies to all, irrespective
of caste, creed and religion.
Mind is the Universe. Universe
is the Divine.
Check this out on Chirbit
