Scintillating Shanmukhapriya
Who can ever forget the all time green Shanmukhapriya melody Maraindirundhu paarkum marumam enna in Sivaji Padmini combo movie Thiilaanaa Mohanaambaal?
The more recent hits Thamthana thamthana thaalam varum in Bagyaraaj super hit Puthiya vaarpugal, Thakidathadhimi Thakidathadhimi in Kamala Haasan classic Salangai oli and Kaadhal Kasakuthaiyya in Pandyaraajan comic Aan paavam are Shanmukhapriya light movie melodies in flesh and blood. Thus, Shanmukhapriya is a precious Raaga with an amazing penetrative character conveying serious strong messages of love and concern.
Yes, we are into the Raaga Shanmukhapriya in our Innisaipayanam now. Shanmukhapriya is a Raaga that induces Jeeva laya, the harmony of the individual self with the Universal self, God. Hence, this Raaga is an excellent medium to express Bhakti, an individual’s love for God.
The name Shanmukhapriya literally means beloved of Lord Shanmukha (Subramanya) or favorite of Lord Subramanya. It is probably because of this that there are many light music compositions on Lord Subramanya in this raga. For eg:
1. Vilayada idu nerama (Sri T. N. Bala of USA)
2. Mayilerum vadivelane (from film Owaiyar — also spelt as Avvayar)
The Raaga has an amazing penetrating effect and takes us beyond the barriers of the physical and psychic planes into the realms of ecstasy described as Aanandaa in Indian tradition. Being placed number 56 in the 72 Meylakarthaa mode of classification of Carnatic Raagas, Shanmukhapriya is a Sampoorna Raaga too (a Raaga that has all the 7 Indian notes, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha and Ni). The Raaga can be represented on a Western musical keyboard as follows with the Western musical note C as the starting note;
The above song has Shanmukhapriya rasam written all over. The prelude itself is enough to recognize the raga as it covers all the swarams, aarohanam, avarohanam and other aspects of the raagam.
Shanmukhapriya is a Raagaa whose penetrative character is clearly visible through all the three octaves (lower, middle and the higher) of the Raaga exposition and induces a strong reverberating resonance. For example, Siddhivinaayakam, a brilliant classical music composition of Muthuswaami Deekshithar gushes through notes in all the three octaves with a balanced time frame in every octave. Saravana bhava ennum thiru mandiram is a middle octave beauty by Papanaasam Sivan. Varam ondru thandharulvaai vadivelaa is a rare higher octave wonder by Voothukaadu Venkatasubbaiyer. Mariveera dikkevvarayya raamaa by Patnam Subramania Iyer is a mellifluous glory.
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Do you have more examples to offer? Comment below
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Author: Prof. Ramanan – (c) IsaiArangam Contact: ramanan@isai-arangam.com |
Very well written post to express your genuine interests.Though I don’t know about the intricacies of a raaga,this gave a good insight.Write more..
Yes,only few get the blessings to exhibit talent and sustain it. In that way, Illayaraja is blessed and we are blessed to have him here!
I thnk this is 3rd article about “raaga” i’m addicted to your articles…..But my friends are saying if the article is in
Tamil it would be very nice than this and easily understandable..
plz consider this words before writing your next article
Thanks!
Very well written and great examples! Thanks for the post.
well done guys
Good collection of words!! Thank u….ungal isai payanam melum thodara enadu manamarnda vazhthukal B-)
:mail: Thanks
im readng al your articles plz dnt stp it…keep writing your words are so unique!!
yes me too agree with pradeep words…
Raaja Sir is the Only Composer who touched all most all prominent Raagas in Carnatic Music fusing them with Western Classical Orchestration – There is no other Composer today who has done same. If only the Western World undertood Carnatic Music – then Raaja Sir would have had many Oscars!
Here are some more Songs for the same Raagam from Raaja Sir. Abhishega Nerathil, Majunu Allithaa Marubhoomi, Raajadhi Raaja Un Thandhirangal, Shiva Malli Poove, Sollayo Vaai Thiranthu, The Fifth Track of the Album ‘How to Name It’, The First Track of the Album ‘Nothing But Wind’, Vengaya Sambarum
keep up the awesome work :good:
Thank u for sharing your knowledge with us….put more of your articles here in future..
something different article great guys wonderful
nice article different thinking
thank u
fantastic pretty goooooooooooooood