NEW MULTIMEDIA CD on Tyagaraja's Life and Works with 108 krithis and more!!
Shivkumar Kalyanaraman
A new multimedia CD on the Life and Works of Tyagaraja has recently been
released in India. One of the creators is Dr. BRC Iyengar, a disciple of
Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, and a noted music critic in Sruti magazine.
There are unique expositions and multimedia illustrations of 108 krithis.
Renditions of krithis have been done by several prominent artistes including
Sangeetha Kalanidhi RK Srikantan, Seshachari (Hyderabad Brothers), Peri
Sriramamurthy (violin), Sanjay Subramanium, and TM Krishna.
To buy the CD, please send a cheque for $31.00 (includes shipping) and your
address:
Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman
980 Birchwood Lane, Niskayuna NY 12309
For more questions, please contact:
shiv...@ecse.rpi.edu (Shivkumar) or ge...@pgtv.net (Dr. BR C Iyengar)
Below is a review of the CD which appeared on sangeetham.com in August 2001.
best wishes
Shivkumar
(shiv...@ecse.rpi.edu)
ps: please also visit my web site which archives several krithis and a few
varnams:
http://www.ecse.rpi.edu/Homepages/shivkuma/personal/music/index.html
http://www.ecse.rpi.edu/Homepages/shivkuma/personal/music/varnams/index.html
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Saint Tyagaraja - A New CD ROM on the composer.
Developed by B R C Iyengar, T N Rajan, L J Haravu
with contributions by several prominent artistes including
Sangeetha Kalanidhi RK Srikantan, Seshachari (Hyderabad Brothers), Peri
Sriramamurthy (violin), Sanjay Subramanium, TM Krishna.
Excerpts of a review on www.sangeetham.com
7th Aug 2001
A Review
The above CD ROM was launched at a function in Chennai a couple of weeks
ago. The programme was attended by many prominent personalities in the music
field. The first copy was released by Dr Obul Reddy, noted industrialist and
patron of the arts and received by Mr N Ram, Editor, Frontline.
The producers of the CD ROM are three gentlemen from Hyderabad. The first is
Mr BRC Iyengar, noted disciple of Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar and a regular
critic for the Sruti. The second is Mr TN Rajan, a descendant of Sri Krishna
Bhagavatar, of the Sishya Parampara of Tyagaraja. The third is a multimedia
expert, Mr LJ Haravu.
For a start this is a CDROM with a difference. The emphasis here is on
Tyagaraja the composer and not the saint. Barring a small power point
presentation on the life of Tyagaraja, there is no other mention of the man.
Most other CDs have dwelt on the latter aspect.
The analysis of Tyagaraja's music has been done through the simple but
effective method of selecting 108 kritis out his total output. These 108,
the producers feel are representative of his work. These pieces have been
subject to a detailed study and the same form the contents of the CD.
Each kriti's lyrics are in available in four languages, Tamil, Telugu,
Devanagari and English. There are visuals which artistically bring out the
theme of some of the kritis. A word to word meaning along with a summary
note on significant aspects of the kritis have been made available. In
addition, there is a vocal/instrumental rendition of the kriti. These have
been performed by noted artistes such as the Hyderabad Brothers, RK
Srikantan, TM Krishna, Sanjay and a number of young and upcoming artistes
too. The focus is again on the kriti and its authentic representation rather
than the musical abilities of the artistes. In addition there is an audio
track available for the meanings.
The kritis are all listed out in a tabular form along with Raga and Tala and
each can be selected from the table. In addition, the 108 kritis have also
been tabulated by theme, such as Rama's greatness as an archer, Sita etc.
Some of the kritis are on deities other than Rama and these have been
provided a separate index from which songs on them can be selected.
A major plus of the CD ROM is an index listing out all the common errors
made in the songs and how to correct them. Mr Iyengar's years of research
into Tyagaraja's works is in evidence here. A search by phrases in Tyagaraja
kritis is also available.
There is a listing out of all web sites on Carnatic Music and particularly
on Tyagaraja. Some of Mr Iyengar's articles are also available as html
documents.
The CD is a must for anybody who is interested in
delving deep into Tyagaraja's music and getting to know facts that are
completely forgotten or hidden. An example, would be the commentary on the
first kriti of the CD: ADa mODi galadE, which is reproduced below:
The raga charukesi is usually referred to as a combination of
sankarabharanam and todi. True, the first half of the cycle (poorvanga) has
the svaras of sankarabharanam while those of todi are significant in the
second half (uttaranga) but the slide over from one to the other is a
graceful movement and not mechanical as generally conceived.
As a mela raga, it has enormous field to play about but caution should be
exercised to maintain the identity of the raga.The raga essentially conveys
a feeling of sadness.
Tyagaraja uses the phrase Sankaramsudai in the poorvanga and uses the name
of Anjaneya in uttaranga in keeping with the identity of the raga.
The lyric is an expression of remonstrance.
One does not get to see such detailed explanations in most books on
Tyagaraja's works.
In addition there are around six and a half hours of music in it, which is a
big benefit.
A small booklet accompanies the CD which gives detailed instructions on how
to install and use the product. Written in simple language, it can aid even
those who are not very computer literate in setting up and running the CD.
To buy the CD, please send a cheque for $31.00 (includes shipping) and your
address:
Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman
980 Birchwood Lane, Niskayuna NY 12309
For more questions, please contact:
shiv...@ecse.rpi.edu (Shivkumar) or ge...@pgtv.net (Dr. BR C Iyengar)