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Raga-s as expressed in Padams and Javalis

Date: 30.12.2024 – Monday – 9.05 – 9.50 a.m.

Speaker : Vidushi Geetha Raja

Title : Raga-s as expressed in Padams and Javalis

Abstract:

The musical heritage of the Veena Dhanammal family is a rare phenomenon. 

In Carnatic music, this is one of the few legacies that spans seven generations. My Guru Smt T Brinda, granddaughter of Veena Dhanammal,  inspired a whole generation of artistes with her inimitable music. It was a privilege and blessing to learn from her. Smt T Brinda, Smt T Muktha, Sri T Viswanathan, Smt T Balasaraswathi and other members of this illustrious family are regarded as the authentic exponents of the forms of music called Padam and Javali.

Raga is the fundamental concept of Indian Music.

The use of innumerable gamakas and graces makes Raga characterisation a complex and subjective exercise. To understand the sancharas of a raga, it is necessary to follow the Karna parampara or Oral Tradition method and learn its nuances at the feet of a guru, by repeated listening.

A padam has long gaps in the words of the lyric which gives room for expression of the raga to its fullest extent. The vilambakala or slow tempo of the padam also makes it easier to grasp the contours of the raga. One can say that the raga is epitomised in a Padam. 

I will be giving practical examples of padams and javalis in my presentation to elucidate how beautifully the ragas are expressed in these forms of compositions.

The Ghana ragas Shankarabharanam, Todi, Kambhoji, Kalyani and Bhairavi will be explored as the first part of the presentation, followed by Rakthi ragas like Begada, Gowlipantu, Kedaragowla, Mukhari and Khamas in the second part.

The final part will feature some Madhyamantya ragas — Punnagavarali, Nadanamakriya, Senchurutti and Yamankalyani. 

My disciples will assist me in the singing during this lecture demonstration.