The title is strong- ‘tis about classical music.
But what do I know of it?
I’m not a singer. Not even close.That too, with classical
carnatic music, I’m more of a mute spectator. I can appreciate the beauty of it
though. I can relish those little nuances in ghamakas even with
being completely ignorant in the subject. It doesn’t take a genius to
appreciate beauty,
does it?
I had a formal training in carnatic music for 8 years. So if
someone speaks of ragas, thaalas, jaathis, I can nod in remembrance. But I have
a problem. No matter how good a song turns out to be, if the song is set to a
language I’m not aware of, I get uncomfortable. I strive hard to find the
meaning of its lyrics. Numerous thyagaraja and purandharadaasa keerthanas shine
with magnificient beauty, but I do not understand a word of it. They say music
has no language. I agree. But song lyrics have language. They add value to a
composition.
I love “alaiypaayuthe kanna” of oothukaadu venkatasubbaiyar more than “vandhanamu ragunandhana” of thyagaraja. “Theeratha vilayaatu pillai” of Bharathiyaar touches my heart more than “Entha chaalu vaake” of purandharadhaasa. Sure, they are memorable compositions, but they are set in a language I’m not used to. So I don’t cherish them as much as I love tamizh songs.
I love “alaiypaayuthe kanna” of oothukaadu venkatasubbaiyar more than “vandhanamu ragunandhana” of thyagaraja. “Theeratha vilayaatu pillai” of Bharathiyaar touches my heart more than “Entha chaalu vaake” of purandharadhaasa. Sure, they are memorable compositions, but they are set in a language I’m not used to. So I don’t cherish them as much as I love tamizh songs.
But there is an exception.
We all know The
Queen of Carnatic Music, Bharath Rathna Smt. M.S. Subbulakshmi was invited to
sing at UNO on the occasion of UN day celebrations during October 23, 1966 .
Contrary to popular
belief, M.S did not sing “kurai ondrum illai”, one of the best classical tamizh
song composed by Rajaji. Instead, she rendered something better.
The song was “Maithreem Bhajatha” composed by Maha periyavaal.
It is composed in the deva bhasha samskritam(Sanskrit).
Paramaacharyaal wrote this song specifically for this occasion,
to be rendered on an United Nations ceremony. It is amazing, even to think of the
mere existence of such a striking genius. Even after 47 years of composition of
this song, the deep meaning imbibed in it makes us think and the relevance to
our current times makes it relatable. No one else could have put it better. His
elaborate music knowledge, skillful writing in Sanskrit and extraordinary
concern for the common welfare of humanity confirms just one thing. He was no
mere mortal. He was God who walked on earth.
This is the keerthana
Maithreem Bhajatha , Akhila Hruth Jethreem,
Atmavat eva paraan api pashyatha
Yuddham thyajatha , Spardhaam Tyajata , thyajatha Pareshwa akrama
aakramanam
Jananee Prthivee Kaamadughaastey
JanakO Deva: Sakala Dayaalu
Daamyata Datta Dayathvam Janathaa
Sreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam
Sreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam
Sreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam
Raaga - Sung in Ragamalika and also in Yamuna Kalyani
Tala - Adi
And a rough translation of its meaning in English:
With friendship please serve,
And conquer all the hearts,
Please think that others are like you,
Please forsake war for ever,
Please forsake competition for ever,
Please forsake force to get,
Some one else’s property,
For mother earth is a wish giving animal,
And God our father is most merciful,
Restrain, donate and be kind,
To all the people of this world.
Let all the people, live with bliss,
Let all the people live with bliss,
Let all the people live with bliss
As I said earlier, no one else could have put it better.
Salutations to guru paramacharya.
May we live in peaceful times.
Thanks: Wikipedia
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