Nityotsava Concerts – Songs

Kannada has a long tradition of beautiful poetry and music such as #vachana and #dasa sahitya. Nityotsava is a musical celebration of the creative works of #Kannada mystic poets Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu, Basavanna to Kanakadasa, Purandaradasa and others. The concert series is part of Unboxing BLR Habba 2023 by Bangalore International Centre BIC Elsewhere with different venue partners. Here are songs from different Nityotsava … Continue reading Nityotsava Concerts – Songs

chitrasriDecember 6, 2023December 26, 2023Leave a comment

Announcements, Music, Press

Nityotsava – A Vachana & Dasa Sahitya Celebration

Kannada has a long tradition of beautiful poetry and music such as vachana and dasa sahitya. Nityotsava is a musical celebration of the creative works of Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu and Basavanna to Kanakadasa, Purandaradasa and others. As part of Unboxing BLR Habba in December 2023 Nityotsava was presented in four different corners of Bengaluru over a period of 8 days. A curtain raiser for Unboxing … Continue reading Nityotsava – A Vachana & Dasa Sahitya Celebration

chitrasriNovember 24, 2023December 29, 2023Leave a comment

Music

Shivaratri Songs

As Shivaratri is being celebrated today by millions of people, lets take a look at songs commonly heard at this time. Carnatic There are many compositions by different carnatic composers describing the attributes of the god Shiva. Here are some of the trinity’s works – Tyagaraja‘s Naada Tanumanisham in raga Chittaranjani, Shambho Mahadeva and Shiva Shiva Yena Radha in raga Pantuvarali, Ilalo Pranatharthi in raga … Continue reading Shivaratri Songs

chitrasriMarch 11, 2021March 7, 2024Leave a comment

Music

Carnatic in Corona Times – Episode 6

In our last episode we spoke about prayers as a time tested method of coping and in India prayer comes to us naturally. Yet while prayers are critical there are times when action is just as important. Certainly this is one of those times and few could have said it as well as Basavanna in his vachana, “My body is my temple and my actions … Continue reading Carnatic in Corona Times – Episode 6

chitrasriApril 21, 2020April 25, 2020Leave a comment

Music

Basavanna Speaks – Enna Vamma Kshema

This vachana by Basavanna expresses the concept of total surrender to God where the mystic declares that his very existence (well-being, decline or prosperity) is due to the grace of Kudalasangama Deva or Lord Shiva. Kudalasangama is a town at the confluence of two rivers (Krishna and Malaprabha) in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. Continue reading Basavanna Speaks – Enna Vamma Kshema

chitrasriFebruary 27, 2019September 28, 2020Leave a comment

Essays, Music

Basavanna Speaks – Kaasi Kammara

In this beautiful vachana, the Kannada mystic Basavanna says we are all equal, none intrinsically better than another. It is our work that elevates us, not birth he asserts. Basavanna cites the examples of a kammara (one who works with iron or blacksmiths), and a madivala (one who washes clothes) to make his point, that our professions may determine what we are called [caste] … Continue reading Basavanna Speaks – Kaasi Kammara

chitrasriFebruary 25, 2019April 13, 20201 Comment