Bits of Papers Played Music !!

A few hours of the late evening yesterday, was really like being in heaven to me! I had preserved my Uncle (father’s younger brother late Sri K.Natarajan’s) hand-written copy (written in two small bits of paper about 60 years back) of a song, which was written by Tharangampadi Panchnatham Ayyar. The copy is with me since the last 45 years! You may not believe! That song is a very rare one and I have been waiting to hear the song for a long time. It is a Ragamalika, with one raga in each line! (Arabhimaanam vaiTHaadharippaar enai). I remember having heard the song sung by my uncle himself once and the song is still lingering in my ears! I was so fortunate to get that song in Youtube yesterday when I was searching for songs in Arabhi Raga. I enjoyed hearing the song very beautifully rendered by Sri Neyyattinkara Vasudevan . Lovely renditions! Yet another artist who has nicely rendered the same song is 

Ms.Pantula Rama.
The lovely Ragas used in this song are: Arabhi. Anandhabhairavi, kalyaNi, Hamsadhvani, sArangA, SAmA, mOhanam, lalitha, dharbAr, bhairavi, poorvikalyANi and kamalAmanOhari . Just while hearing the song, I was keeping the photos of the hand-written copy for comparison.

I was so surprised about the knowledge of Music my uncle had; more than that, the interest he had on music. In the copy, he had mentioned all intricacies so perfectly; as to where the Chitta Swaras come, which line is to be sung twice, which Raga resembles which (like the Raga Lalitha in the song resembles Raga Vasantha), which name of the Raga is not clearly referred in the lyrics copied by him, etc. One may remember that those were not the days of tape recorders or CDs. He definitely has had to hear the song sung in some concert and taken down literally. The photographs of the hand-written copy attached, would reveal all these. It was thrilling for me to compare the song when I was hearing the same. For others, it may be felt these are very common, but for me it was really a thrilling time! My Uncle used to discuss with me more about Carnatic Music and Musicians. He used to take me to some important Concerts too. I am reminded of those good old golden days I spent with him about 40 years ago. I owe a lot to my Uncle Late Sri K Natarajan for the little knowledge I have on Music and the interest I have on Music today!