33. Raga of the Month - Mayamalava Gowlai - 1

This September, you can hear only songs set to Mayamalava Gowlai, which seems to be Maestro’s one of favourite ragas. He has used it for almost all emotions – romance, happy, sad, fun, devotional – you name it, he has done everything.

The history of Carnatic music says that the system of Mayamalava Gowlai was introduced by the blessed musician, Purandaradasar. This raga has the potency to neutralise the toxins in our body. Practising this raga in the early hours of the morning, in the midst of nature, will enhance the strength of the vocal chords.

This is said to be the mother of all ragas, because the music students are initiated with this raga only, to the basics of Carnatic music. I understand that this raga is simple to learn for beginners. This raga also has some affinity to Arabic music and resembles the Mosque calls. Even Maestro has used this effect in couple of his songs.

OK, lets get into the songs.

1. Inter religious Romance:

This song Allah un aanaipadi is from Chandralekha. Raja has incorporated the Islamic music in this song, to show that the hero & heroine belong to different religions. The charanams call for higher voice range and has been sung effectively by Unnikrishnan and the female lead.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32011760/Allah_un_anaipadi.wma.html


2. A historic duet:

Enge naan kanben is from Sadhanai. This is again blend of Mughal and Indian music as this is supposed to be a duet between Saleem and Anarkali. One can also remember the old gem Kallellam manikka kallaguma from this tune.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32011762/Enge_naan.wma.html


3. A Telugu duet:

I don’t know the situation for this song from Aalapana – I feel it like a dream love song but with a sad touch.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32011763/Kalise_prathi_sandhyalo.wma.html


4. ‘Oru shokkana’ song from Chennai:

How would a typical rickshaw-puller in Chennai sing a duet with his wife? Maestro demonstrates here with his impeccable Chennai lingo. Listen to Machi mannaru from En uyir thozhan with a smile on your face.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32011764/Machi_mannaru.wma.html


5. A sad song (his final moments):

Uyire uyire urugadhe is from Oruvar vazhum alayam. Sivakumar (a classical singer) is televised for singing this song. He gets some kind of heart attack and is joined by his daughter for second charanam. But, he dies at the end leaving the song incomplete. Jesudas has expressed the emotions very beautifully.

http://rapidshare.de/files/32011765/Uyire_uyire_urugadhe.wma.html


Relish the top notch orchestration in the songs. We will see some more MMG songs next week.