Projects

HumRaag – The Classical Roots of Filmi Gaane

What is it about popular music that alters moods, jogs memories, and moves us all? HumRaag seeks to answer this through a multimedia experience that weaves together contemporary and olden goldies of filmi gaane, classical carnatic music, and a universal story. The audio, video and musical storytelling helps the audience experience that ragas are everywhere, especially in filmi gaane, from Ajnaabe to Zanjeer.

HumRaag FB Page

BHAKTHI – A Musical Journey with Mystics

BHAKTHI has the audience explore how the music and poetry of these mystics helped them experience the divine. The program is anchored by a live performance of songs of the Bhakthi saints, interspersed with short narration and visuals to provide the audience with both context and a thread of continuity.

Bhakthi FB Page

Antah Prerna – A Musical Telling of an Entrepreneur’s Journey

Antah Prerna (Sanskrit – inner motivation) is a multimedia production exploring the journey of an entrepreneur from idea conception all the way to success and growth (or even an exit). It features classical music from across India to tell the story of an entrepreneur who as the narrator takes the audience through each stage of a roller-coaster journey – from the inspiration, through naysayers, exhilaration and numerous setbacks and inevitable self-doubt, before hopefully a good outcome.

RaagTime

RaagTime is a music program heard on WCRS community radio in Columbus, Ohio. The program helps listeners discover and explore the classical music of India and its contribution to popular music. RaagTime showcases the entire spectrum of Indian music – from classical music to folk to Indian movie music from Bollywood and beyond. Instrumental and regional music get as much coverage as mainstream classical and popular music.

To listen to all 25 episodes of RaagTime click here.

Carnatic in Corona Times 

Carnatic in Corona Times is a video series around music for pandemic times.

Playlist of all episodes

Moods & Melodies

A musical presentation on how Indian classical music melodies or ragas can influence our moods at a given time. Here is the recent presentation at the Bangalore International Center.

Upper Arlington and Westerville public libraries in Columbus Ohio as part of their Listen and Learn music appreciation series.

Music of the Mystics – A Presentation

In April 2017 I had given a presentation on the legacy of the mystics across cultures followed by BHAKTHI – A Musical Journey with Mystics at the Oakland University in Michigan. The event was hosted by Great Lakes Aradhana Committee, one of the largest Indo-American arts organizations in Michigan in collaboration with the music department of Oakland University.

Monthly Newsletter on Music Matters

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Annamacharya on Advaita “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players” said the bard of Avon in the 16th century. Nearly a hundred years earlier, Annamacharya in one of his songs nAnATi patuku nATakamu says this life is a play. The 15th-century Telugu composer lay down the structure of carnatic songs or krithis that we hear today. His devotion to Venkateshwara, the presiding deity of the temple in Tirupati comes through in a myriad of expressions with his songs as described in the article here. image:testerguy12 Anandabhairavi – Pursuit of Happiness One way to cope with the pandemic is to cultivate a positive mindset. Listening to melodies such as raga Anandabhairavi creates a positive state of mind. Anandabhairavi is an old melody with its origins in folk music. As its name suggests, the raga is believed to create a congenial atmosphere. Here is a composition of Shyama Shastri Marivere Gathi presented by sisters Ranjani-Gayathri. For more details on raga Anandabhairavi click here Adi Tala – Basic Beats Synchronized swimming and gymnastics are two ever-popular sports in the Olympics. Music not only embellishes the athletes’ movements but serves as a timekeeper. Much like a fisherman pulling on a net or rowers on a snake boat the beat or rhythm allows people to connect and move as one. The word rhythm comes from the Greek word rhythmos which means a regular recurring motion. From the simple 8-beat Adi tala to the complex Simhanandana, rhythm is a critical component of a trifecta it forms with melody and lyrics in carnatic music. Here is Ramana Balachandran presenting Neeke Teliyaka, a composition in Anandabhairavi and Adi Talam. ©2020 Chitra Srikrishna | Brighton