A Southern Home

Mylapore 🏡, Mornings 🌞, Muggulu ⚛️.

There is some mystic ecstacy in a South Indian home!

The MS Subbalakshmi suprabhatam,
The Unabashedly strong Filter Coffee smell,
The Jhumkis of a beautiful wife, that keep swinging throughout the day,
The Agarbatti and its fragrance that melts into the morning heat,
The cute Nose ring on the tiny face of a 6 year old girl,
The HINDU and its Friday review on that table,
The washed evening Dhotis on the cloth hanger,
The Hair pins and the flowers,
The Dosa pan that gets tilt so often onto the stove,
The compulsory always-afresh Kottimeera in the fridge top right row,
The Popular Popu dabba in the kitchen, a solution for everything... 

The Ammamma who always is ready to do Tomato Pachhadi,
The Tata who always is ready to teach you a new English word or two,
The Father who always is ready to take care of your vehicle even before you realise,
The Mother who always is ready to search and find anything you lost before you can visualise.

#BeautyOfHome #SouthIndia #BeautyOfSouthIndia #Art #ArtAtUnusualPlaces
#Places #Life #Soul #Artistic #Mornings
#Fresh #FestiveMornings #Indian #IndianHome #IndianCulture
#IndianArchitecture #SouthIndianHome #SouthIndianDesigns #Decor #Architecture #DoorsOfInstagram #ArtInMyHeart #ArtEverywhere #AmmaNanna #OurHome
#FilterCoffee #Jhumkis #PopuDabba #Dosa #Kottimeera

RIP Asifa Bano

She is a child to someone.
She is a friend to someone.
She is a sunshine to many.
She is a hope for so many.

(I don't really wish to choose "was" yet.
Coz she isn't "was" yet. To me.
I do not want to believe so. So soon).

She must have not thought that, the calming silence of the Himalayas could also contain the malice of a mutilation.

She must not have thought that, animals that accompanied her are more trustable than the people who did.

She must not have thought that, a world so cruel can exist amidst so much beauty.

She must not have thought that, the human existence can lead to such heinous activity.

And she definitely must not have thought that,
words like Hindu, Muslim could actually contribute to something so horrible.

She left us in an Emptiness.
That's how the world should be cursed.

She is so much more alive in those heavens than she ever was, here.
And we pay the sins in terms of the Emptiness created within Life,
the worst paradox ever.

Somewhere, everyone is responsible.
Somewhere, everyone just dies a little with every one thing like this.

Let us gulp it together.
Let us succumb to some death that it created in us.

#RIPAsifaBano
#ShameWonOnceAgain
#WeAreAshamedOnceAgain
#HumanityLostOnceAgain

WE LOST, AS A RACE.

Dear Indian Woman, What is your definition of Woman?

Dear #IndianWoman, What is your definition of Woman?

Here is an incident that I would like to shout out to everyone.

I was travelling from Bangalore to Vizag yesterday and there was a 3.5 year old baby boy who was pretty active, very enthu for his age, asking many questions, running through the whole train, not giving his mother a moment of rest. Kids like that are a treat to watch and to be with. His mother, grand mother were also present.

There was another lady (a professor in a college it seems) with all of us, aged perhaps between 45 to 50, who was appreciating the boy for his apparent skills.

All was good, till the boy started trying to reach the upper berth. He was trying so hard but it was too tall for his height. However, everyone around him decided to cheer for him and help him climb.

This professor lady started clapping and encouraging him. She then said, "Come on, you are not a girl, you can do it".

It din't make sense to me. There were 4 women along with me right there, sitting next to me and everyone was agnostic to that remark. Nobody seemed to be taken aback nor there was the slightest discomfort.

I do not understand how it can encourage a boy or a girl when you mention to them that the respective other can't do it.

I hear things like this from many people, showing discrimination between boys and girls, between the fairer one and the darker ones and so many more. This is wrong. This is Discrimination.
Aren't we educated enough to understand the meaning of such remarks?

But here, I got double shocked to hear it from a woman herself, that too a professor??

Why are We, the Women, putting ourselves down? Have we become so retarded that we do not even realise what we say?

I see that, lot of people take that remark as a usual comment, very natural way of boosting up a child's morale. But here, aren't we telling the kid that he's superior to the girl?

It is not a mere sentence, it is an outcome of a chronic mental disorder. It is a disfavor to humanity to raise your son with the impression that he is better than other females..

On one hand, we have people like #PVSindhu, #GeetaPhogat who bring glories to us and on the other hand we have Women professors who cannot even interpret the words that they say?

Can #Feminism or #MARDs be of any use when we degrade ourselves?

Hence, I choose to ask this question to everyone and request you all to ask yourselves.

Tyagaraja, Todi, Rama

Early hours of Saturday,
7 Jan, 2017,

1:17 AM.

No sign of any sleep. My mind is totally awake since I haven't prepared the complete list to be sung in my concert, day after tomorrow. Thus, the ray of insomnia.

I planned to sing Todi, one of the most popular raga-s of Indian music and also one of my top favourites. At first, I decided "Aaragimpave". Then I jumped to "Emi Jesithenemi". And then, I wandered over "Koluvamare". 

And then I came across a beautiful composition of Sri Tyagaraja, "Ninu Vinaa, Sukhamu Gaana, Neeraja Nayanaa". I remembered learning it so long ago that I hardly remember anything. 

So, I began brushing it up. 

In a raga, every composition is so different from another. There are inumerable aspects like the emotion, the sandarbham, the itivrittam, the tone of the words, the gait of the compoition and many more. 

"Ninu Vinaa, Sukhamu Gaana.. Ninu Vinaa, Sukhamu Gaana.." !!

While singing these lines, one does not feel like moving from them because of the emotion of the pure joy imbibed in it. I was singing the pallavi for almost 45 minutes!

Enthoo sukham! Entha sukham? - Eelaagani Vivarimpalemu! Svaanubhavavedyame!

"Manasukenthoo Aanandamai....." This line literally looks like a swing to me. The svara-s move so beautifully and just pamper your heart, like never before. And then "Pulakarinchagaa...." which concludes the line.

And then comes my most favourite "Rupamu, Prataapamu....." 

Sri Tayagaraja is so charmed by Rama and tries to portray Rama's appearance to us in his words. We can see and feel Rama.

"Sarachaapamu" sounds exactly like a big Dhanus (bow), and almost a visible Rama in front of us, preparing it for his next target!

Needless to say, "Sallaapamu" is so obvious with the special Gaandhaara preserved for it all this while!

The Gaandhaara at "Karunaa rasa paripoorna" is so perfect for the emotion of Karuna. 

I always wonder, can there ever be an alternative for the particular svara-s he used for some particular words. For example,

Paluku Kanda Chakkera - S G M P , P S , , which sounds like a Sugar Candy!

Evarura? Ninu vinaa - G P D R S , , which sounds literally like a Question!

Gopikalakai Kondanettaleda -N S G , mp m G S , - which sounds like lifting the Mountain!

There is so much in all these kirtanas. We all know it but it is a beautiful reminder again and again which reminds us that it is like the Akshaya Patra which keeps giving and like the Ganga which keeps flowing forever.

"Raaga Rasika, Raaga Rahita"

Rasikatvam and Raahityamu are opposites which almost mean attachment and detachment.

The way he uses phrases for each of them is so so clever and so apt!

The Gaandhaara used in the word "Raaga" in the phrase "Raaga Rasika", is so joyous, mesmerising and flowy. 

The Gaandhaara used in the word "Raaga" in the phrase "Raaga Rahita" tilts upwards, suggesting to reach a higher level, leaving the attachments and also reaches the Taara Sadja, which I interpret as a journey towards the Ultimate.

So much Todi at once. So much Todi just all over me. It began to feel like, my whole room and my bed is smoked by Tyagaraja and his Todi.

So much beauty and aesthetics! So much joy, such a beautiful Bhaavam! What a Wonderful usage of Adjectives!

I wish everyone this joy of so much of beauty, striking you at once!

Here is a small attempt to Visualise Tyagaraja, Todi and Rama.

Balamurali Krishna - The Legend that Lives Forever

Irrecoverable Loss for Indian Music.

A Legend goes back to his origin, Goddess Saraswati Devi.

He is an ARTIST par excellence, par beauty, par comaprisions, par any humane calculations.

He is the one who can show you a Vishwaroopam along with the most innocent baby's giggle you might have ever heard.

Sri #BalamuraliKrishna Garu is a kind of person who doesn't just do his job (to sing) and walk off the stage.

He sits with you. He smiles at you. He questions you. He pampers you. He stirs your beliefs, mentalities, approaches and mindsets. 

Most astonishing & my favourite thing in him is that, *He ridicules rules* !! in the most Perfect way possible, Yet sounds So correct, so fine, so much IN IT !!

He is not a person. It is MAYA. His music is the Fly of his Maya, without Boundaries, just like Krishna Maya.

His music sets you free !!

It is poetry filled with the fragrance of Lord Krishna's Maya and decorated with his sweet Flute Vaadyam and that which speaks *Tatvaalu*.

One of his greatest contributions to the World is that,
He showed what all an Indian Classical Musician Could do with Music !!

It is so coincidental that I have posted my picture with him just a few weeks ago. I am blessed to have seen him Live for once, in my life!
I have grown up with his music. He was a big part of my life, my passion, my idea and definition of what "Art" is. I feel so proud for being an Indian Classical musician and extra proud of the fact that, He is a Telugu Vidwan.

One question that used to hit me (probably all of you would agree with me) and now it will hit me forever, is,
How couldn't #BharatRatna get attached to him even now?

However, His music is Vishwa Ratna, a Gem for the Universe itself, as I believe.

Remembering some of my most favourite works of his :
Nagumomu - Abheri,
Omkaaraakaarini - Lavangi,
Amma Ninu Korina Korikalu - Khamas,
Hari Rasama Vihaari - Hindola.

Tatvaalu :
Ninu Vidichi Undalenaya - Yadukula Kaambhoji
Emi Seturaa Lingaa - Saalaga Bhairavi.

All time Ever Green Film Songs :
Oogumaa Ooyala - Bhakta Prahlada
Aadi Anaadiyu Neeve Deva - Bhakta Prahlada
Salalita Raaga Sudha - Nartana Saala

Hopefully, whoever is reading this post, will goto Youtube immediately on your new tab and listen to some of these Gems!

Instead of hashtags #RIPBalamurali, let us choose to celebrate his ever-green music today !

#BalamuraliKrishnaLivesForever
#BalamuraliFanForever #MusicUnitesTheWorld #IndianMusic

- Sruthi Ravali Manda

Harikatha - హరికథ

Dear all,

Its time for a typical Telugu summer! 

We Invite you to a 

Grand, magnanimous, 16-day Harikatha of

"Harikathaa Chakravarthy" & "Kathaagaana Kalaa Kovida"

Sri KOTA  SATCHIDAANANDA SASTRY Garu

on "MAHA BHAARATAM"

Professor G. S. N. Raju garu, Vice Chancellor of Andhra University, will Inaugurate the program on May 10th, i.e., Saturday.
Venue - Sri Krishna Vidya Mandir School, Dwaraka Nagar, Visakhapatnam.
Everyday (May 10th to May 25th) evening at 6PM.


I personally want to quote my own experiences with Harikatha here.. I was hardly 10 years old, when I first heard Harikatha. Thanks to my dad, it was Kota garu's. I remember, it was held in the open ground beside Siva Aalayam, Steel Plant, VSKP.

We had it for 21 days!! On Bhaaratam itself..

I was always interested in traditional arts like literature, music, naatakam, etc. According to my observation, Harikatha is a unique art form, which is a mixture of Music, Dance, Drama, Humour, Poetry, Literature, Philosophy and many more. In general, Any artform is independent of the others and it will have its own applications. But, Harikatha is a very tough, perhaps the most difficult form, because it is a mixture of many. 

It needs lots of expertise on many arts, viz., music, drama, humour, philosophy etc.

Kota Satcchidananda Sastry garu entertained my grand father's generation... He enlightened my father's generation (my dad heard many of his kathas, from the age of 10) and I'm very fortunate, to be able to see him in my younger days. 
I'm indebted to mom & dad forever, for having given me the Cultural Base, to be able to relish any art forms on par with them.

Thankyou dad, for letting me know what Harikatha is, at young age itself.

I request everyone reading this, to come for the harikatha and please show to your children what it is, what its value is.. 

Kota Garu is presently 80 years old.. He is the most Senior Harikathakulu presently, I guess.
We never know when we would get chance to hear him again. 

I should mention here, 

"Harikathaa Pitaamaha" 

Sri Ajjada Aadibhatla Naarayana Daasu garu.

We all just heard about him. But did not get chance to hear him.

Let us not make our children feel the same, in their future.

*Treat this as Personal Invitation. Bring your children for the program. 
*Let them see such an inspiring personality at young age.


Invitations:

"షేర్ ఖాన్ అస్తమయం"

In these days, movies started to run only because of Artists like Kota, Bharani, Prakash Raj, Srihari, Nazar, Rao Ramesh, etc.

I feel elated at the fact that, even young actors like Rajeev Kanakala, Sunil, Subbaraju, Ajay, Shafi also proved themselves to be listed in this category.

Definitely one among the very few capable & true artists of Telugu cinema,

Srihari is an "impact-winning" actor.

(I don't use the word "award-winning" because it is merely a physical recognition - which I don't consider as the only measure for actor's strength).

Telugu Cinema had lost a true artist who had great, unexplored potential. He would have been a great treasure-like source of performance for writers, if he were alive.

I regret that Telugu writers could not use his potential to the fullest extent yet.

I always hoped for a Pouraanikam with artists like Srihari, Mohan Babu, Jr. NTR, Rana, Prabhas, Anushka and all the character artists I listed above.

I saw Srihari efficiently playing the roles of a clown, villain, comedy-villain, emotional police officer, responsible brother, a great friend and many more. 

When I saw the news, I immediately remembered his words at Magadheera audio function 

"I can retire after this film".

That one sentence shows that he is a pure artist.

"SHER KHAN"

When I watched Magadheera, I truly became a fan of 2 things -  

Rajamouli's work & the character "Sher Khan".

I felt the character "Sher Khan" in Magadheera similar to "Vibheeshana" (of Raamayana).

The dialogues of Sher Khan still echo in my ears..

* The scene where 

Sher Khan is impressed with the valour of Kala Bhairava and (as he gives a word to Randev Billa that he would help him) and the tears in his eyes reflect his helpless position,

* Sher Khan's respect for Kala Bhairava is displayed when he performs the Anthima samskaram to 

Bhairava's diadem.

* Though Sher Khan's dialogues show the end (Suryastamayam shown - symbolises the death) of Bhairava's character (followed by great BGM of M. M. Keeravani), they indicate the entry of the hero

immediately.

The character itself is epic-like. Its portrayal itself is a big task. 

Elevating that character needs lots of study and trials. 

Srihari's performance satisfies the audience with completeness of action and his dialogues not only beautify his own character but elevate Bhairava's character.

Its an uncompensated loss to Telugu movies. Nobody can replace Sher Khan aka Srihari.

May His Soul Rest in Peace.