Bhogeendra Sayinam-Kuntalavarali-Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer

This light piece in Kuntalavarali is always close to myheart..Right from the opening Alapanai the Pitamaha treks to great heights and takes us along with him:


Kuntalavarali  is a janya of harikaambhOji
Aa: S M1 P D2 N2 D2 S  Av: S N2 D2 P M1 S

Swathi Tirunal

Pallavi
bhOgIndra ShAyinam purukucaladAyinam purusham ShAsvatam kalayE


I prostrate the immortal one who reclines on the king-serpent, bestower of prosperity to the Puru dynasty.Oh PADMANABHA!

Anupallavi
vAgISha gaurISha vAsavAdya marapari
vArAbhi vanditapadam padmanAbham


Your feet are worshipped by BRAHMA, SIVA, INDRA and other celestials. OH! PADMANABHA

CaraNam
kalitanuta sanyAsi bhajanAnu guNavihita sulalitAkAramahitam
kalushara parisarOjavala padma tIrthAdi khaNDitAShEshaduritam
kalaShOtbhavAn vita mahEndra trikUTavara malayAcalEndra vinutam
kaladamana va~NJci mArtANDavar mAkalita kANJcana vimAna lasitam padmanAbham


 You, being extolled by the sage, took a beautiful form for the sake of his devotion. You are surrounded by the holy PADMATIRTTHA, redeeming all woes and miseries. You are praised by AGASTYA, MAHENDRA, TRIKUTA and MALAYACALENDRA. You are resplendent on the golden VIMANA made by VANCI MARTHANDA VARMA - the annihilator of wickeds.
You are adorned by the crown, lusterous as the sun, the fish-shaped ear-rings, pearl garlands, KAUSTUBHA, shining PITAMBARA, golden girdle around the waist and beautiful VANAMALA. You delight in LAKSHADIPA-festival of lamps in lakhs-and other daily UTSAVA-rituals done by the sinless and unparallel Kings of VANCI. Oh! PADMANABHA, whose eyes brim with the nectar of compassion and which are akin to the softest inner petals of the lotus.

Having had a glimpse of its lyrical beauty..here comes the emphasis on the raga...

• The raga omits both R and G ,thus distancing the S and M swaras..Adding to the beauty of the straight notes..
• The prayogas such as SaMaPaDaNiDa ;NiPaDaMa SaMa;SaPa;SaDa;SaNi;SaSa* are brisk and have a pleasing effect
• In this clip the pitamaha uses rare prayogas such as MaDaMaSa* Sa*nidani madamaDaS* Sa*MaSa*NiMaSaDaSaNiSa*
• Speciality Ma*'sa*nida Sa* nidama Ma sani.da. SaMaSa Sa*nida Sa*masa*
• A brisk way to start a Tuesday..!!

Have a great day ahead..!!!

* indicates tara sthayi

 . indicates manthra sthayi