Harivarasanam, a devotional song of K.J.Yesudoss is a marvelous rendition!
Sung in Madhyamavathi ragam, the lilting voice of Yesudoss makes it more divine!
What a song! At every concert of KJY, I wait for this closing song.. live ..
This song is recited just prior to closing of the temple doors at night in Sabarimala. My husband says that to hear this song at Sabarimala at the time, when the night is still, cold and serene is a divine experience by itself!
Harivarasanam is the creation of Kumbakudi Kulathur Iyer. In 1955, Swami Vimochananad recited this Ashtakam for the first time at Sabarimala.
Sloka :
Harivarasanam Viswamohanam
Haridadhiswaram Aaradhyapadhukam
Arivimardhanam Nithyanarthanam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranakirtanam Bakhtamanasam
Bharanalolupam Narthanalasam
Arunabhasuram Bhoothanayakam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Pranayasathyakam Praananayakam
Pranathakalpakam Suprabhanjitham
Pranavamanidram Keerthanapriyam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Thuragavahanam Sundarananam
Varagadhayudham Vedavavarnitham
Gurukrupakaram Keerthanapriyam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Tribuvanarchitam Devathathmakam
Trinayanam Prabhum Divyadeshikam
Tridashapoojitham Chinthithapradam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Bhavabhayapaham Bhavukavaham
Bhuvanamohanam Bhoothibhooshanam
Dhavalavahanam Divyavaranam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Kalamrudusmitham Sundarananam
Kalabhakomalam Gathramohanam
Kalabhakesari Vajivahanam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Srithajanapriyam Chinthithapradam
Sruthivibhushanam Sadhujeevanam
Sruthimanoharam Geethalalasam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Meaning
The Lord who reposes in the tranquil yogic posture of Harivaraasanam:
the Lord whose beauty enchants the whole universe:
the Lord who is the very essence of Lord Vishnu's Grace:
the Lord whose holy feet’s are worshipful:
the Lord who destroys the inimical mental trends and forces that affect the devotees:
the Lord who engages in the eternal cosmic dance that creates and dissolves the universe -in that very Lord,
who is the spiritual splendour of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, I take my refuge.
The Lord who is worshipped by the Sharana Mantra:
the Lord who is the source of the power of mind:
the Lord who smoothly administers the entire universe:
the Lord who playfully engages in the cosmic dance:
the Lord who shines with light reddish hue:
the Lord who is the Master of all cosmic forces - in that very Lord,
who is the spiritual splendour of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, I take my refuge.
The Lord whose very nature is the Supreme Truth:
the Lord who is the Master of all life-forces:
the Lord who splendours with the divine halo:
the Lord who is the very source of Pranavam:
the Lord who is pleased by devotional hymns - in that very Lord,
who is the spiritual splendour of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, I take my refuge.
The Lord whose mount is the horse:
the Lord whose countenance is beautiful:
the Lord who holds the mace called Varagada:
the Lord who is extolled by the Devas:
the Lord who bestows Divine Grace as the Supreme Guru:
the Lord who is pleased by the devotional hymns - in that very Lord,
who is the spiritual splendour of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, I take my refuge.
The Lord who is worshipped by the three worlds:
the Lord who is the Supreme Divinity and the source of all Devas:
the Lord who has three eyes:
the Lord who shines with divine splendour:
the Lord who is worshipped during the three auspicious times of the day:
the Lord whose remembrance fulfils the desires - in that very Lord,
who is the spiritual splendour of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, I take my refuge.
The Lord who annihilates the fears and pains of worldly life:
the Lord who brings prosperity and auspiciousness:
the Lord who is enchanting to the whole universe:
the Lord who is splendidly decorated with divine ornaments:
the Lord who has a white divine elephant as a mount - in that very Lord,
who is the spiritual splendour of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, I take my refuge.
The Lord who wears a graceful and soft smile:
the Lord with a beautiful countenance:
the Lord whose graceful body is beautifully decked with the sandal paste:
the Lord who rides on a tiger and also on His horse mount - in that very Lord,
who is the spiritual splendour of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, I take my refuge.
The Lord who is dear to all devotees:
the Lord who fulfils the desires:
the Lord who is extolled by the Vedas:
the Lord who bestows sustenance and strength to the ascetics:
the Lord who is the delightful essence of the Vedas:
the Lord who enjoys the recital of divine hymns and music - in that very Lord,
the spiritual splendour of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, I take my refuge.
23 September 2007
20 September 2007
The Art of Kolam
Kolam brings back nostalgic memories of my mother's and grandmother's beautiful designs and patterns done in our "Vaasal" and puja rooms. Alongwith the whiff of scent of Pavazaamalli flowers and an aroma of coffee!
In the month of Markazhi, creating Kolams used to be a family affair - Amma would be up very early in the morning, would wear a woolen scarf and get on with the designs in the Kolam, me and my sister would sit as guards for amma till she finishes the Kolam. She used to be so deft and all her kolams would be freehand strokes of lines and curves,with a final touch up of Kaavi or terrakota. Krishna Jayanthi would mean lots of Maa Kolam and cute imprints of small feet allover the house!
One (of the things)I failed to learn from my mother is Kolam! I can just manage a few miniature, repetitive designs for the puja room. Nowadays I dont even make an attempt, due to the stock of sticker kolams..
Here in Chennai, the next door neighbour's courtyard used to look colorful with patterns - sometimes with flowers and color kolapodi during special days and festivals.
In the month of Markazhi, creating Kolams used to be a family affair - Amma would be up very early in the morning, would wear a woolen scarf and get on with the designs in the Kolam, me and my sister would sit as guards for amma till she finishes the Kolam. She used to be so deft and all her kolams would be freehand strokes of lines and curves,with a final touch up of Kaavi or terrakota. Krishna Jayanthi would mean lots of Maa Kolam and cute imprints of small feet allover the house!
One (of the things)I failed to learn from my mother is Kolam! I can just manage a few miniature, repetitive designs for the puja room. Nowadays I dont even make an attempt, due to the stock of sticker kolams..
Here in Chennai, the next door neighbour's courtyard used to look colorful with patterns - sometimes with flowers and color kolapodi during special days and festivals.
Till I had a maid "Kasi"-the exclusive "Kolam" designer, coming in every Friday morning and for all the auspicious days.. With her booming voice, every Friday, she would come in around 6 am, demand coffee and get on with the prepartory work for putting a kolam! She is a left hander and has the right proprotions of Kola Podi and rice flour for making her designs.. She is at her creative best and awesome with lines and patterns! People going thro' the street discreetly glance and some stop and see her design.. Every Friday, I grab a cup of coffee to my balcony and have an aerial view of her work! I've already engaged her to put Kolams every Friday and I feel so good about backing up such a person! While taking our vehichles out thro' the gate we are very careful not to spoil the designs and I can feel the neighbour's envy while she "googles" at my vasal!... Ha ha what fun! You can view Kasi's Kolam as above..
Sriram's sketchbook
From my son’s Sriram’s sketchbook.. He keeps his sketchbook private, informal and messy with various doodles and some amazing portraits. The only regret is he does not take art seriously because of lack of time!
19 September 2007
A moving tribute to MSS
Here's an article penned by my colleague LSK, on the demise of Mrs. MS Subbalakshmi. Brings back evergreen memories of the legend!
Her Majesty's Voice - A tribute
13/Dec/2004 - Monday Chennai
Namaskar / vaNakkam
Some people are born, only to leave everlasting impressions, for generations to come, after they are long gone from this world. Some do it with their melodious voice. Some do it with their charity work. Some do it by their humility. Some do it by teaching a lesson or two about devotion. Some are remembered for their physical beauty and their charming face. Some also do it by the color of the saris they wear, when they sing. Only a rare selected few are born who do all these in their lifetime. They themselves become a symbol in what they distinguished in their life time.
Sunday, 12-Dec-2004 will be a day to remember for millions and millions of music lovers all over the world for generations to come. That golden voice that awakened the Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupathi in the mornings, as it did in millions of households the globe over, became silent, but not silenced.
It is indeed a privilege bestowed upon a few to hear her voice in live concerts. For the others, it remains an elusive dream that remains etched in their memories and in their blogs.
It is also a rare privilege to even live in a century and to see her alive, even if it meant no live concerts. To read rave reviews about her meticulous precision, her immense depth of music knowledge, the humility that is revealed in her famous smile, is by itself, a gift of life. Never before a woman, who still can charm Lord Krishna with her bhajans as she could a layman into music, has generated this respect and love and affection, in the recent times, with her melodious voice.
To shed tears upon her demise, could be understandable, for the emotional ones. But then she is not really gone. How could she ever leave this world? Who would wake up Lord Narayana every morning ? She will always live on as long as one can hear her music. Her majesty's voice singing 'kuRai onRum illai kaNNA', alone is enough to inspire the mind and cheer up the spirits, during adversity.
Her own immortal rendering of the profoundly meaningful line "... punarapi maranam punarapi jananam ... ", would even wake up the souls in the heavens who might get to hear her voice again.
'kARRinilE varum gItham' varum .. varum .. vandhu kondE irukkum. ( meaning, the music that comes via the air will come, will come and will always be coming. = This song was another gem of hers. )
Request you to please pray for the soul of Smt. M.S.SubbuLakshmi to rest in peace.
One cannot help but question the wisdom of some, who chose to NOT to honor her with the Bharat Ratna when her husband was alive. A photograph of Smt. MS with her kumkum, the madichar folds, the bangles, the string of flowers in her hair that created an aura like effect and in her trademark blue color with the Bharat Ratna award, could well have become one of the most memorable photographs and moments to cherish for millions of music lovers.
One must commend AIR Chennai for playing snippets of her songs on that morning, which almost made one to refuse to believe the reality of her death. As the musical homage ended with her voice rendering "vandhE mAtharam" , it is suffice to say, it evoked memories of a bygone era, who laid down everything for our nation, as our soldiers continue to do even now.
Dhanyavaad / nanRi
LSK
Contact : LSKpop3@GMail.com
Her Majesty's Voice - A tribute
13/Dec/2004 - Monday Chennai
Namaskar / vaNakkam
Some people are born, only to leave everlasting impressions, for generations to come, after they are long gone from this world. Some do it with their melodious voice. Some do it with their charity work. Some do it by their humility. Some do it by teaching a lesson or two about devotion. Some are remembered for their physical beauty and their charming face. Some also do it by the color of the saris they wear, when they sing. Only a rare selected few are born who do all these in their lifetime. They themselves become a symbol in what they distinguished in their life time.
Sunday, 12-Dec-2004 will be a day to remember for millions and millions of music lovers all over the world for generations to come. That golden voice that awakened the Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupathi in the mornings, as it did in millions of households the globe over, became silent, but not silenced.
It is indeed a privilege bestowed upon a few to hear her voice in live concerts. For the others, it remains an elusive dream that remains etched in their memories and in their blogs.
It is also a rare privilege to even live in a century and to see her alive, even if it meant no live concerts. To read rave reviews about her meticulous precision, her immense depth of music knowledge, the humility that is revealed in her famous smile, is by itself, a gift of life. Never before a woman, who still can charm Lord Krishna with her bhajans as she could a layman into music, has generated this respect and love and affection, in the recent times, with her melodious voice.
To shed tears upon her demise, could be understandable, for the emotional ones. But then she is not really gone. How could she ever leave this world? Who would wake up Lord Narayana every morning ? She will always live on as long as one can hear her music. Her majesty's voice singing 'kuRai onRum illai kaNNA', alone is enough to inspire the mind and cheer up the spirits, during adversity.
Her own immortal rendering of the profoundly meaningful line "... punarapi maranam punarapi jananam ... ", would even wake up the souls in the heavens who might get to hear her voice again.
'kARRinilE varum gItham' varum .. varum .. vandhu kondE irukkum. ( meaning, the music that comes via the air will come, will come and will always be coming. = This song was another gem of hers. )
Request you to please pray for the soul of Smt. M.S.SubbuLakshmi to rest in peace.
One cannot help but question the wisdom of some, who chose to NOT to honor her with the Bharat Ratna when her husband was alive. A photograph of Smt. MS with her kumkum, the madichar folds, the bangles, the string of flowers in her hair that created an aura like effect and in her trademark blue color with the Bharat Ratna award, could well have become one of the most memorable photographs and moments to cherish for millions of music lovers.
One must commend AIR Chennai for playing snippets of her songs on that morning, which almost made one to refuse to believe the reality of her death. As the musical homage ended with her voice rendering "vandhE mAtharam" , it is suffice to say, it evoked memories of a bygone era, who laid down everything for our nation, as our soldiers continue to do even now.
Dhanyavaad / nanRi
LSK
Contact : LSKpop3@GMail.com
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