7 ULTIMATE CARNATIC COMPOSITIONS TO
HEAR THIS MARGAZHI SEASON
Margazhi is the celebration of the grandeur and eternal aspects of Carnatic Music . With cold winters setting up making days shorter and nights longer , the season is a perfect time to relish the greatness of legendary composers through their immaculate contribution to the music form . With its vastness and tremendous scope of experimentation , we bring you a curated list of Ultimate Carnatic Compositions to hear and experience this season !
1 . Intha Kannananda Memi- Bilahari- Saint Thyagaraja : A solid tribute to the grand raaga Bilahari , Saint Thyagaraja speaks of happiness in seeing his favourite deity Lord Rama . The composition swiftly speaks about the joy and wonder that we experience , which is spotless and purest to the hilt .
2 . Manasa Yetulorthune- Malayamarutham- Saint Thyagaraja : Suitable to the chilly winds of winter , Malyamarutham literally means the breeze from the mountain . True to the raaga ’ s name and its progression , Saint Thyagaraja goes into an introspective mode by an ode to self , on not to deviate the mind with unnecessary pursuits .
3 . Hiranmayeem Lakshmi- Lalitha- Mt . Dikshitar : Lalitha is a rare raaga but has its own individuality and elegant beauty . This composition shows the pain behind a composer , who was criticized for not earning worldly wealth enough . The composition is with purest of devotion coupled with the pain which the composer went through . A masterpiece that is offered to Lakshmi- the female deity , Hiranmayeem cannot be missed this season .
4 . Maathe Malayadhwaja- Daru Varnam- Khamas- Muttaiah Bhagavatar : Though it is a varnam , the complexities of the compositions are ten times higher . With various combinations of jathis , matching with suitable literature , Maathe is a wonderful composition to raise the energy levels instantly . It actually eliminates the inexplicable gloom winter brings by , and brightens up the day .
5 . Manavi Aalakincharadate- Nalinakanthi- Saint Thyagaraja : With longer nights this winter , Nalinakanthi gets the best treatment for the master himself . Though on the simpler side , the composition gathered much attention even in current generation listeners . The crescendo in charanam is another highlight of this composition .
6 . Maanasa Sancharare- Saama- Mysore Vasudevachari : As they say quality matters over quantity ,
Mysore Vasudevachari is a perfect example of it . Maanasa Sancharare is a gem of his compositions , which slowly lulls the emotions and restores balance of mind . Though on the simpler side , the composition has won millions of hearts over the years .
7 . Sudhamayi- Amruthavarshini- Muttaiah Bhagavatar : In comparison to the musical trinity ( Saint Thyagaraja , Muttuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastry ), Muttaiah Bhagavatar is more on the innovative side with his memorable compositions . Set in the magical raaga Amruthavarshini , Sudhamayi is short and at the same time elaborate to relish for days .
8 . Saroja Dalanetri- Shankarabharanam- Syama Sastry : Being a staunch worshipper of goddess Kamashi , this legendary composer has written maximum compositions in the name of the magnificent deity . Saroja Dalanetri is a chowki kaala kriti ( slow tempo ) and sets the complete elegance of Raaga Shankarabharanam in style !
Though there are thousands of kritis that would take multiple lifetimes to relish , these above-mentioned compositions are guaranteed to make your Margazhi season extra special this year !
The Score
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