Music

  • Chanting,  Music,  My Interests,  Saraswati Veena

    Why Music is free therapy

    Music is one of those things that bring people joy. Usually people listen to the song, and delve a little deeper into their moods. When you are happy, you listen to happy, fast beat songs. When you feel sad or miserable, there are thousands of popular sad songs that go with the theme in your mind. Break ups are manageable because of songs. Love becomes more festive and exciting when you listen to love songs that match the mood or characteristic of your current situation with your partner. So, it is no wonder that people listen to these kinds of songs, and a vast majority of people function as normal…

  • Music,  My Interests,  Poetry

    “Blissful Journey” – by Sri Laxmi

    I touched you gently, ever so,Reminiscing our first encounter, oh,Caressed you softly, longing gaze,Dreams wove tales through endless days. Imagined all with fervent desire,You, strong, vibrant, set my heart on fire,Difficulties at the start, we’d find our way,With prayers, I touched you, night and day. Experimented, slowly, then with haste,Years it took to bind our fates,Learned your secrets, your every sign,What makes you happy, our joys entwined. Now within my veins, you freely flow,I in you, our love’s eternal glow,Together we create waves of delight,Blissful union, my Veena, through day and night. — Sri Laxmi —

  • Chanting,  Music,  My Interests,  Spirituality

    Muthaitharu Pathi Thirunagai – Thirupugazh

    My Veena rendition of Thirupugazh “Muthaitharu Pathi Thirunagai” is right here for your chanting. முத்தைத்தரு பத்தித் திருநகைஅத்திக்கிறை சத்திச் சரவணமுத்திக்கொரு வித்துக் குருபர …… எனவோதும் முக்கட்பர மற்குச் சுருதியின்முற்பட்டது கற்பித் திருவரும்முப்பத்துமு வர்க்கத் தமரரும் …… அடிபேணப் பத்துத்தலை தத்தக் கணைதொடுஒற்றைக்கிரி மத்தைப் பொருதொருபட்டப்பகல் வட்டத் திகிரியில் …… இரவாகப் பத்தற்கிர தத்தைக் கடவியபச்சைப்புயல் மெச்சத் தகுபொருள்பட்சத்தொடு ரட்சித் தருள்வதும் …… ஒருநாளே தித்தித்தெய ஒத்தப் பரிபுரநிர்த்தப்பதம் வைத்துப் பயிரவிதிக்கொட்கந டிக்கக் கழுகொடு …… கழுதாடத் திக்குப்பரி அட்டப் பயிரவர்தொக்குத்தொகு தொக்குத் தொகுதொகுசித்ரப்பவு ரிக்குத் த்ரிகடக …… எனவோதக் கொத்துப்பறை கொட்டக் களமிசைகுக்குக்குகு குக்குக் குகுகுகுகுத்திப்புதை புக்குப் பிடியென …… முதுகூகை கொட்புற்றெழ நட்பற் றவுணரைவெட்டிப்பலி யிட்டுக் குலகிரிகுத்துப்பட ஒத்துப் பொரவல …… பெருமாளே.

  • Chanting,  Music,  Spirituality

    Durga Suktam – Praise of the Goddess – Lyrics and Chanting

    Here is my chanting of Durga Suktam with Saraswati Veena as an accompaniment. जातवेदसे सुनवाम सोममरातीयतो निदहाति वेदः ।स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा नावेव सिन्धुं दुरितात्यग्निः ॥१॥ Jātavedase Sunavāma Somam-ārātīyato ṇidahāti Vedah |Sa ṇah Parssad-āti ḍurgānni Viśvā ṇāve[a-ī]va Sindhum ḍurita-āty[i]-āgnih ||1|| We offer oblations of Soma unto Agni. May he burn those who are against us. May that Agni lead us beyond all difficulties, like a boatman takes his boat across a river. तामग्निवर्णां तपसा ज्वलन्तीं वैरोचनीं कर्मफलेषु जुष्टाम् ।दुर्गां देवीँशरणमहं प्रपद्ये सुतरसि तरसे नमः ॥२॥ ṭām-āgni-Varnnām ṭapasā Jvalantīm Vairocanīm k͟harma-Phalessu Jussttām |ḍurgām ḍevī[ngu]m-ṣarannam-āham Prapadye Su-ṭarasi ṭarase ṇamah ||2|| I take refuge in that Goddess, who has the lusture of…

  • Family,  Ilaiyaraaja,  Music

    Grateful to my mother

    “Amma Endrazhaikaatha Uyir Illaye” The famous song of Ilaiyaraja that celebrates the greatness of mothers has stood the test of time remaining as one of the top songs that glorifies the sentiment of devoted children to their mothers. It is a moving song that makes us feel grateful to our mothers who have given us everything including this very life. I used to love this song when I was younger mainly for the musical merit of this. I have many things to be thankful for. Of the many things that my mother has done for me, I am indebted to her mainly for instilling in me a passionate love for…

  • A R Rahman,  Music

    Chandralekha – Konjam Nilavu Piano Rendition

    One of the coolest songs composed by A R Rahman is “Chandralekha… Konjam Nilavu.” This song is from the movie “Thiruda Thiruda” which was released in 1993. It has been almost 30 years since the song got released but the music and style of the song are so modern and sound fresh. I personally enjoy this song quite a bit even now. The attitude of the woman is very confident and powerful. I enjoyed playing this song on the piano for fun. Sharing it right here: The original is inimitable and mesmerising. I tried my best to bring the dynamics and power through my attitude but how can anyone do…

  • Ilaiyaraaja,  Music

    The Magic of Ilaiyaraaja’s Music

    I was born in the mid-80s and honestly did not enjoy Ilaiyaraaja’s music as a kid. To me, music meant Rahman’s music. I enjoyed this music intensely. I used to sing these songs so loudly that I am reasonably confident that I irritated and aggravated the neighbours from when I was a 10-year-old. Thank God my neighbours have not vocalised the irritation to my face (yet). Imagine a kid blaring “Dil Se Re” and “Chaiyya Chaiyya” on TV and singing at the top of one’s lungs. I never got enough of these songs. Though I listened all the time to these on TV whenever they telecasted them, I loved listening…