In this concluding episode of the sub-series on the composition "Shankari Samkuru" by Shyama Shastri we continue our discussion on how Shyama Shastri has masterfully employed the concept of dual tala. Using examples from various parts of the song, Vidya goes into greater detail and lays out how the tala construct and specific syllables in the lyric connect up in the two talas - Rupaka tala and Adi tala in tisra gati.

In this episode we continue our discussions on "Shankari Shankuru", a composition by Shyama Shastri. Vidya introduces the audience to the core tala construct used in this composition. Shyama Shastri has masterfully composed this song such that the rhythm can be kept in either of two talas, the Rupaka tala or the Adi tala in tisra gati. Vidya sings snippets from the Pallavi to demonstrate this interesting aspect of the composition.

We continue our analysis of the Shyama Shastri composition: Sankari Sankuru in the raaga Saveri. Using several phrases and snippets from the Anupallavi and Charanam portions of this composition, Vidya illustrates how the composer has skillfully weaved in some of the subtle nuances of this wonderful raaga.

In this episode we feature a Shyama Shastri composition: Sankari Sankuru, in the raaga Saveri set to Adi tala in Tisra gati. Vidya covers the high-level meaning of the song as well as showcases some of the salient Saveri phrases that Shyama Shastri has skillfully used in the Pallavi of this song.

In this episode we feature the renowned composer: Shyama Shastri. Shyama Shastri is the oldest of the relatively contemporary trinity of Carnatic music (the other two being Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar). Vidya discusses his compositional format, style, and contributions to the field of Carnatic music. We conclude the episode with a snippet from a rendering of a Shyama Shastri composition by the stalwart musician, Sri. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.

In this episode we feature the raaga Punnagavarali. Vidya shares with us the probable origins of this traditional raaga in the music of snake charmers as well as its scale and structure. We discuss how this raaga offers limited improvisational scope, and yet has been used by all three of the trinity composers. Vidya also elaborates on the concept of Madhayama Sruti, which involves a shifting up the fundamental note to the original Ma (4th note from the fundamental).

In this concluding episode of our sub-series featuring compositions on the temple town of Kanchipuram, we feature a Shyama Shastri composition: Kanakashaila Viharini in the raaga Punnagavarali. Vidya shares with us the meaning of this song, and uses the three segments of this composition, i.e. Pallavi, Anupallavi and Charanam to show us a glimpse of the form and flow of this raaga.

Continuing our discussion from Episode 72, we take a minor detour from our series on compositions dedicated to Kanchipuram and feature the raaga Bilahari. Vidya shares with us the basic contours of this raaga, and discusses why it is typically considered a lively one to perform on the concert platform. We also list some well known compositions in this raaga and finish with an short alapana that features the key Bilahari phrases we heard in the Pallavi of the composition Kamakshi Varalakshmi.

Raaga Rasika wishes you all a happy new year! In this episode we feature a composition by Muthuswami Dikshitar: Kamakshi Varalakshmi in the raaga Bilahari. This is a continuation of our discussion featuring compositions by each of the Carnatic music trinity on the temple town of Kanchipuram. Vidya sings snippets from this composition and explains the meaning across the pallavi, anupallavi, and charanam of this song.

We continue our discussion on the temple town of Kanchipuram by featuring compositions by each of the Carnatic music trinity on this location. In this episode, we highlight the Tyagaraja composition "Vinayakuni", in the raaga Madhyamavathi. Vidya sings snippets from this composition and explains the meaning, the salient aspects of the raaga Madhyamavathi and provides some illustrations on how Trinity compositions often provide the foundation for creative aspects in Carnatic music.

We turn our attention to yet another noteworthy temple town in South India which has tremendous significance to the world of Carnatic music: Kanchipuram. In this episode, we talk about this town and its amazing temples. We also discuss the influence this town has had on the art form as well as prominent composers who have composed on this location. Vidya shares several snippets of popular compositions that are based on the various temple deities in this town.

In this concluding episode on Sri. GNB, we analyze a Raagam-Thanam-Pallavi (RTP) rendered by him in the intricate and rich raaga: Bhairavi. We showcase Sri GNB's incredible talent as he brings out various details of this raaga in a step-by-step fashion with tremendous creative energy. Vidya takes up snippets from each of the three segments of the RTP and discusses them in some detail.

We continue our conversation on Sri. GNB and discuss his talent, music and style. Vidya talks about the GNB Baani (or the GNB school) as well as the incredible improvisational and creative talent he brought to bear - including his contributions to techniques such as graha bedham and neraval. We conclude this episode with a snippet from a GNB composition "Samagama Lole", rendered by one of his prime students - Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari.

In this episode, we feature the legendary musician, Sri. G. N. Balasubramaniam (1910-1965). We discuss how Carnatic music shaped and influenced his early childhood days and his debut performance in the city of Madras (now called Chennai). We finish with a snippet from a concert recording to give a glimpse of the experience enjoyed by audiences during his time.

We continue our discussions on kalpanaswarams from the last episode. Using a few snippets of Sri. GN Balasubramaniam, we showcase the spontaneity and variety in this form of improvisation in Carnatic music. Finally, Vidya concludes the episode by listing some of the common techniques used by Carnatic musicians when they perform kalpanaswarams.

In this episode, we introduce the listeners to some of the elements of kalpana swarams and compare kalpana swarams with another key form of improvisation, the alapana. Vidya gives illustrations of kalpana swaram rendition and explains certain conventions such as performance of kalpana swarams in multiple speeds and progressing from short to long cycles of kalpana swarams.

Thanks to all those of you who participated in our quiz. In this episode, we discuss the answers to the three quiz questions that we asked in Episode 63. Listen to the episode to see if you got them right! Special congratulations to those of you who answered correctly!

In this episode, we conduct a quiz largely based on material and information we have covered in previous Raaga Rasika episodes. This segment includes three sets of questions for which the answers will be shared in the next episode. We look forward to your enthusiastic response and participation.

In this episode, we conclude the analysis of the Atana raaga alapana by Sri. G. N. Balasubramanian. We discuss how Sri. GNB uses specific techniques such as "jaarus" or glides in his alapana, and highlight his mesmerizing, fast passages towards the conclusion of this highly spontaneous exercise.

In this episode, we feature an alapana of raaga Atana, rendered by the legendary musician Sri. G. N. Balasubramaniam. Vidya translates portions of this alapana, a highly spontaneous and improvisational aspect of Carnatic music into swaras (notes). She highlights the salient phrases that capture the quintessential beauty of this bright raga and the development of the alapana in distinct segments.

In this segment, we discuss the raaga Atana. Using a Papanasam Sivam composition, Vidya shares with us this raaga's high emotive appeal. She also illustrates key phrases in this raaga and describes its form and scope. We conclude the episode by covering some well known Atana compositions one can expect to hear at concerts.

We conclude our series showcasing listener submissions with a snippet from Smt. K. S. Vasanthalakshmi from New Delhi, India. Her submission is the Muthuswami Dikshitar Navagraha kriti "Brihaspate Tarapate", in the raaga Atana. Vidya elaborates on the meaning of this song and shares a high-level overview on the group of songs commonly referred to as the Navagraha kritis. We would like to thank each of our listener contributors for their enthusiastic participation in this sub-series.

Continuing our series featuring listener submissions, we showcase a rendition on the veena by Sri. Srinivas Raghavan, from Chennai, India. His submission is a tillana composed by Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, in the raaga Brindavani. Vidya highlights some of the salient aspects of this raaga and also shares with us another tillana in the same raaga, composed by her guru Sri. Lalgudi Jayaraman.

Continuing our series on listener submissions, we feature a snippet from Smt. Uma Sankar from Massachusetts, USA. Her submission is a Muthuswami Dikshitar composition, "Sri Rama Saraswati Sevitham" in raaga Nasamani. The second featured submission is from 7 year old Ananya Rajesh of Wisconsin, USA -- "Maakelera Vicharamu", a Tyagaraja composition with a profound philosophical meaning in raaga Ravichandrika. We conclude this segment by playing a short snippet from a similarly themed...