program
Welcome
MC: Shikha Raghuram
Invocation
Adithya Chakravarthy
Artist Introductions
Concert – Part 1
Song details below
Chief Guest’s Remarks
Shri. Gopi Sundaram
Aradhana Committee, Cleveland Tyagaraja Utsavam
Guest of Honor Speaks
Mr. Joe Francavilla
Music Director, Countryside Day School
Anjan’s Guru Speaks
Vid. Akshay Anantapadmanabhan
Concert – Part 2
A Note of Thanks
Shubha Chakravarthy
Meet and Greet With Artists
Packed dinner for all guests
Song List
I constantly sing the praise of Ganeshwara, the elephant-faced, who is the lord of the devas.
Gajananayutham
Ragam: Chakravakam
Thalam: Adi
This song is an invocation to Lord Ganesha, the Indian god of knowledge and good fortune. It is performed at the start of the concert as an auspicious opener.
This song was composed by Mutthuswami Dikshitar, a legendary South Indian composer from the 18th century.
This song is set to a scale called Chakravakam, which is suitable for singing in the morning. It is a raga that is known to incite feelings of devotion, sympathy and compassion in the listeners.
It is set to Adi Talam, an 8-beat rhythm which is a staple in Carnatic Music.
Thaye Tripura Sundari
Ragam: Shuddha saveri
Thalam: – Khanda chaapu
This song is in praise of Goddess Parvati, the Hindu goddess of power and energy. It is a mid-tempo song which features a passages of high-speed solfa notes (“chittai swarams”). It was composed by the 20th century Tamil composer Perisaamy Thooran.
It is set to a scale called Shuddha Saveri. A raga suited for singing in the afternoon, the therapeutic values of Suddha Saveri include dispelling depression and ushering in positivity, in addition to renewing the energy centres in the body. The song is set to a 5-beat cycle called Khanda Chapu, a brisk rhythm that is suitable for quick songs.
O great goddess Uma, O black one, o pretty one, I surrender at your feet”
O Mind! By becoming a lover of music, attain the eternal bliss.
Nadhaloludai
Ragam: Kalyanavasantham
Thalam: Rupakam
This melancholy song is a composition of the 18th century composer Thyagaraja. It is a song about the divine power of music. It is a favorite among Carnatic music listeners.
It is set to a scale called Kalyanavasantam. This scale is very majestic and evokes feelings of sadness and devotion in listeners. The song is set to a 3-beat cycle called Rupaka Talam, which is common for short songs in Carnatic Music.
Raghuvamsa Sudha
Ragam: Kathanakuthoohalam
Thalam: Adi
This song is very fast-paced and upbeat. It features many plain notes with no oscillation, which makes it resemble songs from Western classical music. It also has several passages of only solfa notes (called a “chittai swaram”), which makes it very well-suited for the veena.
This song is set to a scale called Kadanakudukalam, which is a very cheerful and upbeat scale suitable for singing at all times of day. It is set to the 8-beat cycle called Adi Talam.
O moon to the nectar-ocean of the Raghu dynasty, Sri Rama, lord of emperors.
O Rama, supreme among the Raghus, missing Your charming smile, I languish here.
Nagumomu
Ragam: Abheri
Thalam: Adi
This is the piece de resistance of today’s concert, a magnum opus song written by South Indian composer Thyagaraja. In this song, Thyagaraja pleads with Lord Rama to reveal Himself to his devotee.
To emphasize the composer’s plight, the song is set to a melancholy tune in a scale called Abheri. The beat cycle is a majestic 16-beat cycle called 2-Kalai Adi Talam. This beat cycle is stately and slow, usually reserved for bigger compositions.
This song includes Anjan’s showcase solo piece.
Ragam Thanam Pallavi
Ragam: Dwijavanthi
Thalam: Adi
A Ragam Tanam Pallavi (also called an RTP) is an entirely improvisational piece which allows the musicians to showcase their creative talents. It is one of the most technically demanding aspects of Indian classical music, demonstrating the whole gamut of talents and the depth of knowledge of the musician.
This RTP is performed in a scale called Dvijavanthi, a scale which was borrowed from North Indian classical music. It has three parts: Ragam, Tanam, and Pallavi.
The first part is Ragam or Alapana, which is a form of improvisation that introduces and develops a raga (musical scale). It is a slow improvisation with no rhythm.
The second part is Taanam, which is a more rhythmic form of improvisation which still includes no percussive accompaniment.
Finally, it features a Pallavi, which is a single line with lyrics, for which the musicians can sing improvised solfa notes (called “kalpana swaram”).
My mind is agitated like the waves of the ocean, hearing the joyful music of your flute, O Krishna!
Alaipayuthey
Ragam: Kaanada
Thalam: Adi
This song, in praise of Lord Krishna, is a favourite among Carnatic listeners. It is written in Tamil, Anjan’s native language.
In this composition, the devotee takes on the attitude of the lover longing for the beloved. This song was composed by Oothukaadu Venkata Kavi, a legendary Tamil composer from the 18th century.
This song is set to a scale called Kaanada, a scale which evokes feelings of pathos and separation.
Krishna Nee Begane Baro
Ragam: Yamuna Kalyani
Thalam: Misra Chaapu
This is a famous song in the Kannada language composed by the composer Vyasatirtha. The composer pleads with Lord Krishna to show grace and reveal His divine form to the devotee without further delay.
It is set to the semi-classical scale Yamuna Kalyani, a scale which has its roots in North Indian music. This scale evokes feelings of calmness and devotion and is a favorite among listeners of Carnatic music.
The song is set to a lilting 7-beat cycle called Misra Chaapu Thalam.
Krishna, please come quickly and reveal Your divine face
My mind is agitated like the waves of the ocean, hearing the joyful music of your flute, O Krishna!
Thillana
Ragam: Dhanashree
Thalam: Adi
This piece is a thillana in the ragam Dhanashree.
A thillana is a lilting rhythmic piece that is generally performed at the end of a concert. The first half of the piece features rhythmic phrases set to tune and the second half features lyrics.
This thillana is set to a scale called Dhanashree. Dhanashree is performed in the early afternoon and presents a cheerful, happy mood. It prominently appears in the Sikh tradition from Northern India.
The song is set to the 8-beat cycled called Adi Talam.
Benediction – Pavamana
Ragam: Sowrashtram
Thalam: Misra Chaapu
It is customary to end Carnatic concerts with the song “Pavamana”, which is a short brisk song composed by Saint Thyagaraja.
It is composed in the scale Sowrashtram, which is suitable for singing in the morning at dusk, or in the evening at dawn.
It is set to the 8-beat cycle Adi Talam.
To your sacred name and your divine form, let there be success and prosperity!