My apologies for not posting it everyday, although I have been posting it in FB everyday.
Rajam100 – 26 of 365
Here is another cover from Vanoli, depicting the Sangita Pitamaha Purandaradasa.
Rajam100 – Song 26 of 365
Rajam’s greatest passion was to learn kritis from various sources. He had the opportunity of learning songs from very authentic sources (Ambi Dikshitar, Gowri Ammal, Madras Lalithangi) and in some cases from the composer himself (Muthiah Bhagavathar, Papanasam Sivan). He stayed true to his patantharam in his renditions but never disrespected other sources and variations. He was critical if a rendition was totally against the idea of the composer (e.g. Nagumomu in Abheri) but in general was not critical of improvising or embellishment with new sangatis.
He was meticulous in knowing the meaning and the intent of the composer. Compositions that often suffer from butchering can be found rendered with appropriate splitting of the words (Example Manasuloni Marmamulu). His repertoire of the compositions of the trinity was enormous. But what was amazing was his penchant to learn compositions of his contemporaries and his juniors. Once, when I visited him, he was winding up a class for his student Akshay Padmanabhan. After the student left, he spoke with pride for over ten minutes about the tillana Akshay had composed. he would often remark, “AIR might not have given me a lot of money. But it gave me immense satisfaction to learn and propogate rare songs. The famous Purandara Dasa song “Srikanta Enakishtu” is usually sung in raga Kanada. However, a young girl from Mysore had come for a recital and had sung it in raga Kannada. I learnt from her and rendered in my concerts as well. It was only AIR that gave me such opportunities.”
For a long time, I couldn’t find this recording. I found it recently on Facebook through Mr. Subramanian Krishnan. I thank him for sharing this rendition.
Rajam100 – 27 of 365
Another work from 40’s inspired by Bharathi’s verses.
Rajam100 – Song 27 of 365
Today we present a full fledged RTP in Gowrimanohari from an AIR concert.
Rajam100 – 28 of 365
Here is another rare painting from 1939, when he was still a student.
For a long time, I couldn’t locate where this painting was published. A Few days back, Thank to Mr. Aravind Swaminathan, I came to know that this was published in the “Hanuman”.
Rajam100 – Song 28 of 365 – AtukaradhA – Manoranjani
Another recording illustrating why Rajam was considered a genius when it come to handling Vivadhi Ragas.
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