Some times I wonder, what would have happened to me if I were not initiated into music? I just wonder and stop thinking. Because beyond that my thoughts also wouldn’t dare to venture any further. I cannot think of any life without music, not even a possibility, because for me music is like breathing. I love to breathe and I love to survive, because everything is musical. Deekshitar in his kriti says, Sree Satyanaarayanam Upaasmahe Nityam, Satyajnaananandamayam Sarvam vishnumayam!! I wonder if Sarvam Vishnumayam could just be a metaphorical representation of Sarvam Sangeethamayam!!
To the ears that carefully hear there is music everywhere. In every mood of melancholy, in every rhythm of joy, in every dance of ecstasy and every ounce of life, there is music, melody and Pranavam. Many times when I sing I am drawn into a meditative mood and unknowingly I am drawn into the magic of that divine light that emerges from within.
My journey with music reached a transformation, the day I started listening to the genius performer Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Sangeetha Bheeshma, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. He has ever since been my manasa guru and he is within my creativity as a mentor. He has spoken to me through his music and has also taught me in my dreams. I just cannot imagine how somebody is gifted with such gifts? His music was complete!
I first heard his rendering of Karaharapriya raga followed by Samaanamevaru, I remember I just cried for days. Tears were all I could give in gratitude to that level of music and that caliber for a musician. I even doubt when on stage if he were human at all?? Even the gods must have gone crazy listening to the outburst of such immaculate creativity and such a colorful portrayal of anything he chooses to sing.
To the ears that carefully hear there is music everywhere. In every mood of melancholy, in every rhythm of joy, in every dance of ecstasy and every ounce of life, there is music, melody and Pranavam. Many times when I sing I am drawn into a meditative mood and unknowingly I am drawn into the magic of that divine light that emerges from within.
My journey with music reached a transformation, the day I started listening to the genius performer Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Sangeetha Bheeshma, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. He has ever since been my manasa guru and he is within my creativity as a mentor. He has spoken to me through his music and has also taught me in my dreams. I just cannot imagine how somebody is gifted with such gifts? His music was complete!
I first heard his rendering of Karaharapriya raga followed by Samaanamevaru, I remember I just cried for days. Tears were all I could give in gratitude to that level of music and that caliber for a musician. I even doubt when on stage if he were human at all?? Even the gods must have gone crazy listening to the outburst of such immaculate creativity and such a colorful portrayal of anything he chooses to sing.
It may be the todi raga, the gaja vadana kriti, the rave himagiri swarajati, bhairavi swarajati, karaharapriya, kumudakriya, mukhari, shankarabharanam, kalyani . . . . all were gems when they came out of this mans creative coup. I was listening to the Raagamalika Ramayana Krithi of Swatitirunaal Mahaaraja , Bhaavayaami raghuramam. He has sung it I its usual glitter and gait and all that but, after the mukhari charanam he just lands at the taara madhyama of saavari while rendering the pallavi. That one sanchaara elevates the concert to another level all together. Such exuberance in simplicity, such calmness in the vigor and so much of humility in such gigantic abilities.
I still remember the day he passed away; I was with my Guru R. K. Padmanabha sir. We got the news and before I knew tears flowed down my eyes and I told sir, “may be I was not fortunate enough to meet him at least once!” Sir told me, don’t worry you have seen him through music, that is greater than the physical vision! I was lost in what he said and in moments I realized that great masters like Semmangudi maama do not pass away! They live on to eternity and continue to bless the generations to come in this field.
Thanks maama, for blessing me with your music and for being there to guide me and all other youngsters who want to pursue music as a way of life, not as a means of life!!
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