Thiruppavai- Day 16- Naayaganaai ninDra

Raagam: MOhanam

This is it...the worst my throat has been so far this year. Hope it gets better from now on...
You may hear too many crackling noises...it's only my struggling voice! :(

For lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram, go to this link.


Thiruppavai 16 | Music Upload

Thiruppavai- Day 15- Elle iLangiLiye

Raagam: BegaDa

This Paasuram is a funny one depicting a petty quarrel amongst the girls. For lyrics and meaning, go to this link.


Thiruppavai 15 | Music Upload

Thiruppavai- Day 14- UngaL Puzhakkadai Thottatthu

Raagam: Anandha Bhairavi

With my throat getting worse than last week, I decided to bite the bullet and reduce the scale for this rendition   :(

AnDaal sings of the blooming of the Lotus and unblooming of the Lily in the backyard when the Sun rises. She then tells of how the monks are off to the temple for their morning prayers. Thus saying she wakes up her sleepy mates to sing the glory of the Lord.

For lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram, please go to this link.


Thiruppavai 14 | Upload Music

Thiruppavai- Day 13- PuLLinvaay KeeNDaanai

Raagam: aTANA

"Oh doe-eyed damsel! Won't you wake up to hear the stories of our Lord Krishna who slayed many demons? Take a cold dip and get started for it is the dawn of a new day", sings AanDaaL.

For lyrics and meaning, visit this website.


Thiruppavai 13 | Music Upload

Thiruppavai- Day 12- KanaitthiLam kattrerumai

Raagam: Kedaara GowLai

The wealth of people in those days was probably measured by the size and quality of  livestock they owned! This is another verse where Aandaal mentions cattle, here the buffaloes owned by a wealthy neighbour and how the leftover milk from their udder was so plentiful that it created a mire.

It is interesting to note that in this Paasuram, Aandaal reminisces the previous birth of Krishna- Sri Raamaa.

For lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram, go to this link.


Thiruppavai 12 | Upload Music

Thiruppavai- Day 11- Kattru karavai kaNangaL

Raagam: Huseini

Another tricky raagam...not even sure how I did since I dont know any keerthanai in this raagam to compare with. :( Your comments will be much appreciated :)

For lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram, use this link.

Thiruppavai 11 | Online recorder

Thiruppavai- Day 10- NOttru Suwargam

Raagam: Thodi

AnDaal makes fun of the girl that is still sleeping and jests of her winning Kumbakarna in a sleeping contest!

I was dreading this Paasauram! Thodi is perhaps the most difficult raagam for me to imbibe! I remember how Paatti tried teaching me "VaNDinamuralum Solai" and gave up! Your comments on this song would be most appreciated to see if I did sing it right afterall.

For lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram, use this link.

Thiruppavai 10 | Upload Music

Thiruppavai- Day 9-ThoomaNi maaDatthu

Raagam: Hamir Kalyani

As if she is fed up of calling out to her friends, AnDaal now seeks the help of their mothers. "Maami! Your daughter sleeps like she was under some spell. Or she must be deaf that she can't hear my beckoning!".

A note about the usage of this Raagam. This is one of the very few Carnatic songs I have heard in Hamir Kalyani which is basically a Hindustani Raagam. If I am wrong, please shout!

For lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram, check out this link

Thiruppavai 9 | Upload Music

Thiruppavai- Day 8- Keezhvaanam VeLLenDru

Raagam: Dhanyaasi

Yet another beautiful morning scene is depicted in this verse. The east is lit up by the rising Sun. Buffalos are grazing before they can be milked. Flocks of birds have started flying from their nests in search of food. "But we must wait for you, oh Damsel", says AnDaal to one sleeping 'thozhi', "before we can visit the Lord of Lords, our Krishna, one who killed many demons and redeemed us from evil"

For lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram, use this link.

Thiruppavai 8 | Music Upload

Thiruppavai- Day 7- Keesu KeesenDrengum

Raagam: Bhairavi

The chirping of birds in the morning air is joined by the clanking of necklaces worn by the "Aaichiyar" during them churning curds. "Is all this noise not enough to wake you up, lazybones", says AnDaal, "to sing praises of our Lord?"

For lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram, use this link.

Thiruppavai 7 | Music Upload

Thiruppavai- Day 6- PuLLum Silambina kaaNN

Raagam: ShankarAbharanam

This is one of my personal favourites as I love this raagam! But what I feared so much has come true indeed! Due to last night's party at a friends and the excessive talking, my throat has gone very sore! So I have tried my best to make this rendition a pleasant one by not straining too much! Please forgive the "karakarappu"...

In this Paasuram, AnDaal awakens the Gopikas by talking about the "leelas" of Krishna , his slaying the demons Poothana and Chakatasura. She beckons them to rise to the harbinger from His White Conch.

Thiruppavai 6 | Music Upload

Thiruppavai- Day 5- Maayanai

Raagam: Sriraagam

Go to this link for lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram

Thiruppavai 5 | Upload Music

Thiruppavai- Day 4- Aazhimazhai kaNNaa

Raagam: VaraaLi

I would like to thank Balamurali Balu for mixing this song for me! :)

Go to this link for lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram.

Thiruppavai 4 | Upload Music

Thiruppavai- Day 3- Ongi ulagaLantha

Raagam: Aarabi

Click here to view lyrics and meaning of this Paasuram

Thiruppavai 3 | Online recorder

Naan Paarthathile

My long cherished desire to sing an old TMS-PS duet came true.

I am so happy to sing this song with Sukumar. When I heard him sing "Naan aanayittaal", I could think of a hundred TMS-PS duets to sing with him but could only find the track for this one. His singing prowess amazes me- the way he handles those intricate brigaas and emotes for every single word. Particularly like the way he has sung "Idayo illai irundaal" in this song!

Movie: Anbe Vaa

Music: Mellisai Mannar MSV

Originally sung by: T.M.Soundararajan, P.Susheela

naan paarthathile with Adithi Devarajan Online recorder

Thiruppavai- Day2- Vayyatthu VaazhveergaaL

Raagam: GowLai

Go here to get the lyrics and meaning of each Paasuram.

Thiruppavai 2 | Music Upload

Thiruppavai- Day 1- Maargazhi thingaL

Raagam: Naattai

This is a very nice website showing the lyrics and meaning of each Paasuram.

Thiruppavai 1 | Upload Music

Thiruppavai Series- Preamble

Marghazhi is my favourite Tamizh month! Where I grew up, winter wasn't as bitter as where I live now but compared with places like Chennai and other unfortunate cities, Hosur is a very cool town.

I still remember those foggy mornings when I would pay a hurried visit to my grandma's place near our house before scurrying off to school. I would enter shouting,"Paatti innikku enna(Thiruppavai)?". My grandma, also my Guru in music, would be very busy with some household chore but would stop for a second and say, "Thodi" or "Kalyani". She remembered the day's Thiruppavai by the Ragam rather than by the words. One of her Gods in this birth was MLV whom she wanted to do a concert with before breathing her last. She had listened to almost every single keerthanai of MLV's and learnt them all with nonchalant ease. It was from her that I had listened to all the 30 verses for the very first time in my life.

Ever since, Maarghazhi Maasa Thiruppavai has become a ritual to me. Although I have never woken up as early as is instructed in the songs themselves, I would see to it that the day's Thiruppavai was sung at some point during the day. Only recently, I happened to buy the original CD of MLV's rendition and started learning it more religiously.

This year, I have been at the height of musical activity and am now motivated to start this series. Each day, I hope to sing and post the relevant Thiruppavai, giving a brief information on the Ragam and lyrics where possible.

It is a daunting task as I look at it suddenly. What if I had to go out of station suddenty or what if I caught a cold....! But I am going to try my best and complete it to the best of my singing ability and ensure to post everyday.

This is the best I can do to get people interested in the forgotten treasures of Tamil literature or think of the Lord for a brief couple of minutes everyday or revel in the abundant nectar of Classical music. To me it a special combination of all of the above tied with the silken thread of fond memories from childhood of my beloved Paatti!!!

Sandhana Kaatre

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RAJINI! :)

Although I am a hardcore Kamal fan, I felt like doing a Rajini song for his birthday. I am huge fan of his style, humility and commitment to quality. Some movies like “Aarilirundu Aruvadu varai”, “Engeyo kaetta kural” are perhaps the best of the lot to show what a fantastic actor he is. For a brief period in my life, I used to watch Rajini movies like crazy!!!!

Sukumar and I picked a different song for the occasion but in the last minute, it didn’t materialise due to an irreparably poor track. This song has always been in my list and ended up getting finished in less than 24 hours, with the huge World time difference constraint.Thanks Suku, for working under high pressure to deliver this song :D. The initial version had a technical flaw which only Vishnu could correct. This version has been beautifully mixed by Vishnu! Thanks a lot, Vicchu!

The track isn’t great. But wanted to do this song so desparately……

Movie: Thani Kaattu Raaja

Music: IR(Who else!!!)
Originally sung by: SPB, S.Janaki

Sandhana Kaatre- With Sukumar(Reuploaded) | Music Upload

Remembering the Mahaakavi- Chinnanchiru Kiliye

December 11th marks the birth of Subramania Bharathi. I wanted to sing a song to commemorate the birth of this amazing man who took the entire Tamizh state by storm.

Born in a conservative Tamil Brahmin family in Tirunelveli in 1882, this man believed in freedom of the human kind! Freedom to live a life free from fears and inhibitions. He was probably born a hundred years too early. Such were his revolutionary and radical thoughts on subjects ranging from Romance to Patriotism.

I cannot think of one modern Tamizh poet or activist who does not admire or is influenced by the works of Bharathi. After seeing this post, even if a handful of you start looking for more info on Bharathi, I will consider it a success! :)

This song is from his famous “KaNNan PaadalgaL” which is a compilation of various songs and poems written, imagining Lord Krishna in various forms- as a lover, teacher, mother, son, daughter….the list goes on. The song is about Kannan as a little daughter….

With the month of Maargazhi approaching fast, my mind starts getting tuned to the exciting early mornings that begin with Thiruppaavai recitals in praise of Krishna. I consider this song a good preamble to the same! :)

The music for this song (Movie:MaNamagaL released in 1951)was originally scored by C.R.Subbaraman whom MSV was an assitant to. He has said in an interview how he enjoyed(and at the same time, feared in respect)teaching the tune to M.L.Vasanthakumari. My rendition is nowhere near hers but it is a sincere attempt to remind myself of the greatness of people like her whom I have had the good fortune of knowing about from my own grandparents.

My throat has suddenly dried up perhaps due to the onset of harsh winter but I have done my best to do justice to this song.

Remembering Bharathi... | Music Upload

En Kanmani

It is a pleasure to bring to you another duet with Kumaran

His is probably one of the most expressive voices in the blogworld. Apart from being a perfectionist and a diligent singer, he is a fantastic human being! I have learnt so many things from him since our very first duet more than a year ago.

Movie: Chittukuruvi

Composer: Ilayaraja

Lyricist: Vaali

Singers: SPB, P Susheela.

En Kanmani - Chittukuruvi Cover - with Adithi Upload Music

Ambalapuzhe

Another Malayalam song and a very nice duet too....

Kumar Srinivasan suggested this song long ago but I didn't get the time to do it. During my exam prep, I badly needed to relax after the long hours of study so I sat down and did loads of songs in the nights. This is one such song.

It was Kumar's idea to do the sloka before the song as it appears in the song sequence. I particularly liked the humming before Charanam 1!

Movie: Adwaitham

Music: M.G.Radhakrishnan

Originally sung by: M.G.Shreekumar and K.S.Chithra

Ambalapuzhe - Adwaitham Music Upload

Oooh Lalala

Vishnu suggested this song and we got Raj to join us too. One of my favorite movies from college days. One of those movies which I knew the dialogues of by heart!!!

Both my "thambi"s, Vishnu and Raj, have "kalakku"fied in this song in my opinion! :)

Movie: Minsara Kanavu

Music: A.R.Rahman

Originally sung by: Unni Menon, K.S.Chithra, Srinivas

Ooh lalala..... with ADithi Akka & Raj anna Online recorder

A bold venture...

My good friend Sukumar and I were discussing about how boring we were starting to feel, doing the usual type of songs-devotional, moody, romantic, pathos….

So here’s a bold attempt for a change….

My mom is probably going to disown me for singing a song like this.:D I can hear her say," Oru kudumba ponnu paadura paattaa idu!!!"….LOL!

This is one song I have been so crazy about for years. When we searched, all that we could get was the track for the newer remix version. So we decided to do a remix of the remix- singing the old song and tune in that style with some inclusions from the newer one.

Just as Sukumar says, “Summaa jollyaa kaelunga!”….

Movie: Nallavanukku Nallavan

Music: Ilayaraaja

Originally sung by : K.J.Yesudas, S.Janaki

Mixing: Sukumar Rajendran

Pi.Ku: Sukumar asked me to add that this song was sung and mixed by him in the Netherlands (Unga alambal thaangalai Sir! :D)

A bold venture(Tamil)- with Sukumar Rajendran Upload Music

Vaa Vaa Anbe Anbe

Recorded in November 2008 with Kumar Srinivasan.

Movie: Agni Nakshatram

Music: Ilayaraaja

Originally sung by: KJYesuda, K.S.Chithra

Vaa Vaa Anbe Anbe | Music Upload

Jilibili Palukula(Telugu)

My Telugu friends have been asking me for a long time to do a Telugu number. So this one is for them! :D

I want to thank Sriram Srinivasan for making me record this song! :)

When Vishak Subramoney expressed his wish to do this song with me, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it since I had already done the Tamil version. But I loved the different flavour the Telugu version imparts- very different mood, situation and voices too.

Thanks, Vishnu , for mixing this song for us! Vishak- You were awesome in this song and it was a pleasure doing this song with you!

Movie: Sitara

Originally sung by: SPB and S.Janaki

Music: Ilayaraaja

Jilibili Palukula(Telugu)- With Vishak Subramoney | Upload Music

Indiraiyo ivaL Sundariyo

I remember how as young girls, my sister Sudhathee and I were mad of all songs from Kaadhalan. I am so reminded of those long nights when we used to sit in the balcony, singing all songs on by one. We hadn't even bothered to be considerate of our poor neighbours then :(

After a long hiatus, Sudhathee is probably back in action in music with this number. When we made the track, it was kind of bland with no chords to support. That is when I sought the help of our Chords King, Subbu aka Subramanian.K . Without any hesitation, he agreed to help us. And I think his chords are the highlight of this song! :)

As usual, Vishnu has helped us with the mixing. A big thanks to you again, brother, for your selfless work! :)

Before you read this post, the song may have finished! :) Hope you enjoyed it!

Movie: Kaadhalan

Music: A.R.Rahman

Originally sung by: Sunandha, Minmini

Indiraiyo- With Sudhathee and Subbu | Online recorder

Edhedho Ennam Valarthen

I had sung this song for Kamal’s birthday but didn’t post it as the mixing hadn’t been done then.

One of IR’s masterpieces made immortal by the beautiful feel, lyrics and Chithra’s effortless sangathis. This is probably one of the most special songs to me.

Though I normally try and stick to the original, I added a few extra sangathis in this one as I heard in one of Chithra’s stage shows a few years ago.

As usual, Vishnu has helped me with the mixing. Thanks a lot, Vicchu! :)

Movie: Punnagai Mannan

Originally sung by: K.S.Chithra

Music: Ilayaraaja

Edhedho Ennam Valarthen | Online recorder

Yaaradhu Sollaamal NenjaLLi Povadhu

Another old post of mine...

Recorded in November 2008

Movie: Nenjamellaam Neeye

Music: Shankar -Ganesh

Originally sung by: Vani Jayaram

Yaaradhu Sollaamal NenjaLLi Povadhu | Online recorder