Charulatha Mani

  Audio Clips in Behag: Sri madhava - Behag -  Papanasam Sivan Irakkam varaamal - Behag - Gopalakrishna Bharathi Thillana - Behag - Lalgudi Jayaraman Parikahalahadamma - Behag -  Coimbatore Kunjammal and Charulatha Mani Also, in "A Raga's Journey": Atana for Inspiring Valour Full of surprises - Ragas Vasantabhairavi and Begada Soothing the Senses - Raga Nilambari A Rare Treat - Raga Saramati Morning Ragas - Ramapriya and Rishabhapriya Pious Notes - Ragas Nasikabhushani and Vagadeeshwari Priya Principle - Ragas Rasikapriya and Ratipatipriya Versatile Nattai Positively Tranquil - Raga Harikambhoji Catchy and Classical - Raga Sankarabharanam Of Love and Longing - Chandrakauns and Surya Godly Gowrimanohari Kedaragowla’s Many Moods The Royal Durbar Joy of Hamirkalyani Power of Three - Ragas Madhyamavati, Brindavanasaranga, Brindavani Wake up to Valaji Distinctly Classical - Ragas Gowla and Lalitha Auspicious Sri A Complex Beauty - Raga Dwijavanti Tale of Two Varalis - Ragas Pu...

Vaidehi Kathirunthal is a 1984 film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan, starring Vijayakanth and Revathi. The story was developed based on songs that Ilaiyaraaja had composed earlier. Released on 23 October 1984, it became a commercial success and emerged a breakthrough in 'Captain' Vijayakanth's career. The film is memorable to this day for its evergreen raga-based music by the maestro Ilaiyaraja. Abhogi ragam: T he evergreen classic ' Indraikku en indha anandame ' is an example of how a classical raga may be adapted to silver screen seamlessly and uncompromisingly. This composition of Ilayaraja is set in tisra nadai, the beat progressing in threes, making for lively listening. The singers Vani Jayaram and Jayachandran, both classically adept, cleverly navigate through the sangatis in “kanavugalin suyamvaramo”, gently swaying the Gandhara towards Madhyama and back.       Chandrakauns ragam: Ilaiyaraaja has explored this raga to its fullest in ‘ Azhagu Malar ...

MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar  was the first superstar of South Indian Cinema with an incredible fan following. He was perhaps the first actor of the region to achieve such popularity with a fistful of films, and was the most sought after personality between 1934 and 1944. His films usually ran for months and ‘Haridas' (16 October 1944) , set a stunning record by running uninterrupted for 114 weeks at Broadway Cinema, Madras. It even witnessed three Deepavali festivals of 1944, 1945 and 1946! Directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni, it also starred TR Rajakumari and NC Vasanthakokilam . With music by Papanasam Sivan and G Ramanathan , the score is replete with raga-based melodies. Raga-based songs of 'Haridas': The song that probably tops every playlist in  Charukesi   ragam would be ‘ Manmadha Leelaiyai '. This song was one of the earliest appearances of Charukesi on the silver screen, and till today, remains one of the best. In the sonorous voice of M.K. Thyagaraja Bhaga...

Isai Payanam is inspired by great musicians. Dr Charulatha Mani discusses classical film hits of yesteryear singer-superstar TR Mahalingam and shares interesting links between classical music and film songs - a nostalgic journey that also urges us to think about music differently! Thenkarai Ramakrishna Mahalingam (16 June 1924 – 21 April 1978) was one of those national treasures whose vocal prowess was amazing without qualification - across genres, eras, and geography. Any operatic tenor would have been envious of his seamless voice production and robust projection, combined with great squillo/ring, while at the same time being able to sing floridly, delicately with mezza voce and legato for softer lyrics. It is just mind-boggling listening to his pure akaram, brighas, being equally at ease singing heavy Carnatic, Hindustani-flavoured, folksy, or popular contemporary-styled film songs in Sri Valli (both versions), Naam Iruvar, Maalayitta Mangai, Thiruvilaiyadal, Agathiyar and many mor...

A musical dedication by Dr Charulatha Mani on the birthday of actor Mohan Rao, popularly known as "Kokila Mohan", after his debut in the 1977 Kannada film "Kokila", and later as "Mic Mohan", thanks to the numerous times he portrayed microphone-wielding singers on-screen. Film Songs mentioned in the video (composer: Ilaiyaraja): Ilaya nila - Payanangal mudivadilai This was the first Indian film to have "larger-than-life cut-outs" of the composer (Ilaiyaraja). The song is picturised on Mohan, Poornima Jayaram, S.Ve.Sekhar, and Rajini (whose expressive eyes, the director R.Sundarrajan, believed, were enough to carry the story!) Nilavu thoongum neram - Kunguma chimizh S. P. Balasubrahmanyam , S. Janaki Starting off with a Mohanam-like feel, moves to the major scale with the introduction of the madhyama note. Paadu nilaave - Udaya geetham S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Based on  Vaasanthi  ragam. For more on Vaasanthi ragam: Vaa vennila - Mella thirandadhu ka...

A musical dedication by Dr Charulatha Mani on the birth anniversary of the virtuoso singer Manna Dey ( Prabodh Chandra Dey,  May 1, 1919 − October 24, 2013) . His classical music training and versatile voice set him apart as one of the most celebrated singers in Hindi and Bengali films. Film Songs mentioned in the video: "Tum bin jeewan kaisa jeewan" ( Bawarchi , 1972)   "Pucho Na Kaise Maine Rain" from   Meri Surat Teri Aankhen   (1963) "Sur Na Saje" from  Basant Bahar   (1956) "Kaun Aya Mere Mann" from   Dekh Kabira Roya   (1957) "Jhanak Jhanak Tore Baje Payalia" from  Mere Huzoor   (1965)  "Laga chunari mein daag" from Dil Hi To Hai (1963) "Maanasamaine Varoo" from Chemmeen (1966) "Ketaki Gulab Juhi" from "Basant Bahar" (1956) "Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen" from   Waqt   (1965)

A musical dedication by Dr Charulatha Mani on the 85th birthday (23 April) of the legendary singer S Janaki Amma. We are blessed to have listened to her music all these years and wish her long life and good health! Film Songs mentioned in the video: 'Singara velane deva' from 'Konjum Salangai' : SM Subbiah Naidu's  pièce de résistance in Abheri is sung with the nadaswara accompaniment of Karukkurichi Arunachalam. The line “senthuril ninraadum deva” reminds us of the nadaswara vidvan's typical phrasings.   ' Annakkili Unnai Theduthe' from the film ' Annakkili '. Director: Kalaimani, Music: Ilaiyaraa 'Senthoora Poove ' from ' 16 Vayathinile ', composed by Ilayaraaja. ' Chinna Thayaval ' from ' Thalapathi ', music by Ilaiyaraja, based on Kapi ragam . In classical music, Kapi kritis that are very popular include ‘Intha Sowkhya’, ‘Ramapahi’, and ‘Meevalla’ of Thyagaraja, ‘Janakiramana’ of Jeeyar, and ‘Enna Thavam’ ...

The fabulous song Periyone en Rahmane from Aadujeevitham is unpacked by Dr Charulatha Mani here - want to know what ragams appear in that song? Tune in! Related videos:    

Hildegard in India by Heather Lee, with Charulatha Mani, Kim Cunio and Tunji Beier Pleased to share this latest album "Hildegard in India" on which I collaborated with world renowned composer Professor Kim Cunio, soprano Heather Lee and percussionist Tunji Beir. The album draws parallels between the spiritual songs of Hildegard von Bingen and spiritual chants in Sanskrit. Recorded at Brisbane, Australia, the album has some ethereal moments worth revisiting and cherishing. Relax and enjoy this offering featuring some of the most precious ragas of Indian music embedded within an intriguing soundscape featuring a Steinway Grand Piano played by composer Kim himself. I remember the recording fondly, there were moments where the entire crew found themselves tearing up at the sheer beauty and power of the ancient Latin and Sanskrit lyrics in gentle interplay with dulcet gamakas and operatic inflection. 

The wonderful melodies of singing sensation TM Soundararajan are recalled by Dr Charulatha Mani in her signature style of Isai Payanam. Birth Anniversary of TMS falls on March 24 Film Songs mentioned in the video: ' Yaar Poi Solluvaar ' ( Harichandra 1968): an outstanding piece in Mukhari . The opening phrase ‘S, RND SRM’, clearly points to Mukhari. The sheer helplessness of Harischandra’s situation is sketched well with the help of Mukhari raga. The piece-de-resistance in Mukhari is of course ‘ Vaada Malare ’ from  ( Ambikapathy  1957). The opening sangati ‘PMGRS / RMPDP’ replete with light gamakas is most suited to this raga. ' Sindhanai Sei Maname'  ( Ambikapathy 1957): The melodic beauty of Kalyani has added a third dimension to many a movie. Here, G. Ramanathan showcases the key phrases of the raga . In the lines “Sentamizhkarul gnana desaganai,” the embellishments free-wheeling from the tara sthayi gandhara are a treat. ' Thottal Poo Mala...

Isai Payanam is inspired by great musicians. Dr Charulatha Mani discusses classical film hits of MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and shares interesting links between classical music and film songs - a nostalgic journey that also urges us to think about music differently! Film Songs of MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar: The song that probably tops every playlist in  Charukesi   ragam would be ‘ Manmadha Leelaiyai ' from the film ' Haridas' . This song was one of the earliest appearances of Charukesi on the silver screen, and till today, remains one of the best. In the sonorous voice of M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavatar and the music and lyrics of Papanasam Sivan (orchestration of G Ramanathan), this song is a delight. In the lines '...En mel unakkeno paraamugam...' there is a plethora of sangatis, each one unfurling from the top Sadja and landing at various vital notes. 'Vasantha ruthu mana mohaname'  in Vasantha ragam from the film ' Sivakavi'  is sung tunefully by MKT....