A journey in to Musicscape -3

9/15/2017

During late 70s, the most awaited weekend program on Doordharshan (B&W days), for Carnatic aficionados was S.Balachandars’ series on Melakartha ragams, where he would bring leading artists to present some rare krithis. His presentations were not only lively, but, highly scholarly with his own brand of wit. Though a man of controversies, his command over the subject matter was impeccable and his lion like stature with a roaring voice were simply adorable. His writing style also reflects that persona of him, and his manner of his speaking. After a non-controversial section on the elder brother of “Maha”, - Ramaswamy sivan, and how both were like Rama & Lakshmana, he moves on to mention about the complex Pallavis that Maha handled during his times. Now in his own words:

“ The various ‘PALLAVIS’ sung by ‘Maha’ Vaidyanatha Iyer, ( as most descriptively notated and included in this book, in their respective places of rendering), are truly baffling beyond belief! How really wonderful! How really stupendous and stupefying! How really magnificently marvelous! How spell bindingly stunning!

Allow me, please, to quote a few brief examples from this cherishable book!

Leave alone that Pallavi in ‘Simhanandana’ thaalam which has won for itself a legendary place of pre-eminence. The’ Pancha-gathi’ thaala pallavi (9-7-5-4-3) rendered in the “Gopuchayathi-formation” is a little gem by itself. Yet another Pallavi composed in similar ‘Gopuchayathi’ pyramid formation (8-7-6-5-4-3) truly defies description. The former contains in all, ‘28’ maatras and the later 33 maatras. The later is indeed a daring ‘devil may care’ or ‘ come what may’ master piece! Pallavis rendered in ‘Lakshmeesa’ thalam (25 maatras) figure in this book more than one occasion. Obviously, comparatively a more popular ‘thaala for Pallavi’ in those days. There is also a beautiful ‘19’ maatra Pallavi referred to in this book, in its earlier pages., when the musician more famously known as ‘Irattai pallavi’ Sivaraman Iyer tests the laya genius & thaala capacity of 8 year old, Master Vaidyanatha Sivan of Vaiyaicheri!!!

Another precious gem is the “13-maatra Pallavi” set in the thaalam known as “Gaja-Jampai” or “Sekara Jampai”. 13 maatras…. 19 maatras… 33 maatras, how exciting and how challenging! To thus publicly test oneself, how truly ennobling! To face a ‘self-imposed’ open personal challenge, it needs not only profound knowledge, but also tremendous self-confidence, knife-edged, sharp concentration, superfine mental control, unruffled and unmuffled voice control, lots of sheer and pure ‘guts’ and unlimited faith in the supreme powers of benedictions of the Almighty.”

Reading through his writing above, we can surmise how dramatic Balachander was in talking about the subject matter and using alliteration has been so natural to him. He is full of adveribial admiration with awe and ashtonishment! (looks like I have been rubbed by his style). Almost like how a director would narrate a story to the audience.

After this wonder-filled quick mentional walk through of several Pallavis referred in the two volumes of this book, he moves on to the lament part, which we can see tomorrow!