Brovasamayamide Ramayya

When Deepa and Gayathri akkas taught this krithi to me, I was struggling to reach the higher notes in the anupallavi, I vaguely remember. I had to reduce the shruthi back then to not strain my throat. Even now, the higher notes in the charanams give me trouble however, I believe I have done my best to do justice to the composition.

P.S: I am beginning to accept students for beginner and intermediate levels of one-on-one online Carnatic vocal music lessons. If you or anyone you know might be interested, do contact me here.

Mahadeva Siva Shambho

This song reminds me of all those night outs on Shivarathri at Revathy’s house. I used to accompany Revu and her mother for the Sivaalaya Ottam, which is basically ‘temple-hopping’ on the eve of Shivarathri. We fast and stay awake the whole night listening to devotional songs and chants and when we break the fast in the morning, there will be hot, steaming breakfast of idli and thenga chammanthi waiting at the dining table lovingly cooked by Susheela aunty and Sudha aunty, Revu’s mom. Aah good old days!

P.S: I am beginning to accept students for beginner and intermediate levels of one-on-one online Carnatic vocal music lessons. If you or anyone you know might be interested, do contact me here.

My very first TV program

I must have been around 10 years old when I had a chance to participate in a music program on Doordarshan Malayalam. It was telecasted as a part of some Bhakthi gaanangal (devotional songs) program in the evening on a Wednesday as far as I can remember. Deepa and Gayathri akkas taught us a few songs to sing for our debut TV show. I still remember the feeling I had when I saw myself with my friends dressed up in a pattu paavada and singing on screen - it was thrilling and I felt on top of the world. Those days to get a prime time slot in the national television used to be a big deal.

Here are the songs we sang. Hope you enjoy them.

On a different note, I am beginning to accept students for beginner and intermediate levels of one-on-one online Carnatic vocal music lessons. If you or anyone you know might be interested, do contact me here.