Giripai Nelakonna / Sahana / Adi / Thyagaraja / M D Ramanathan

Krithi: Giripai Nelakonna Ragam: Sahana Thalam: Adi Composer: Thyagaraja Vocal: M D Ramanathan Manjapara Devesa Bhagavathar Ramanathan, popularly known as M.D. Ramanathan (MDR), was born on 20 May 1923 in Manjapara, Palghat (Kerala). Trained initially by his father, Devesa Bhagavathar, a music teacher, MDR later earned a B.Sc. in Physics from Victoria College, Palghat, where his vocal talent was already evident.He joined Kalakshetra’s Sangita Siromani course in 1944, where he became the sole vocal student under the tutelage of Tiger Varadachariar, who became his principal mentor. MDR revered his guru deeply, and their association shaped his musical personality profoundly. MDR’s music was marked by a rich bass voice, deep emotional expression, and concise yet complete raga explorations. His renditions displayed clarity, bhava, and mastery of gamakas, making his style both distinctive and deeply moving. As a composer, he created over 300 compositions—including varnams, kritis, and tillanas—in Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu. Many of these arose from spontaneous inspiration during temple visits and became staples of his later concerts. M.D. Ramanathan passed away on 27 April 1984, aged 61, leaving behind a rich legacy of soulful music and original compositions that continue to inspire generations of Carnatic music lovers. Violin: T N Krishnan Mridangam: Palghat T S Mani Iyer Ganjira: Pudukottai V Swaminatha Pillai This kṛithi portrays Thyagaraja Swamy's intense devotional experience of unerringly beholding Lord Sri Rama established on the hill, vividly describing the Lord’s divine form and the compassion with which he responds to the composer’s overwhelming emotion. Moved by Thyagaraja’s horripilation, tears of bliss, and yearning to speak with him, the Lord promises to protect him after “Padi puṭalu” ( ten days ). This promise becomes the subject of anxiety in the later kṛithi “Paritapamu Kani,” where Thyagaraja asks whether the Lord has forgotten it. While the two kṛithis differ in their scenic settings—Suvela Mountain in the present kṛithi and a boat ride with Sitha on the Sarayu River in Paritapamu Kani—both are linked by the same time reference, suggesting a thematic continuity in Thyagaraja’s devotional narrative rather than a strict chronological or literal sequence. ( Courtesy: Thyagaraja Vaibhavam ) Pallavi Giripai nelakonna ramuni guri tappaka kanthi Anupallavi Parivarulu virisuratulachebadi visaruchu gosaruchu sevimpaga (Giri) Charanam Pulakankitudai anandasruvula nimpuchu mataladavalenani kalavarinchagani padi putalapai gachedananu tyagaraja vinutuni (Giri) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Meaning: I beheld Lord Sri Rama, firmly established on the hill, without missing my aim (that is, with unwavering focus). I unerringly beheld Lord Sri Rama, established on the hill, while his attendants stood worshipping him, fanning him with fans made of flowers, and beseeching him persistently. I unerringly beheld Lord Sri Rama ( Praised by this Thyagaraja ) established on the hill, who, seeing me overwhelmed with horripilation, my eyes brimming with tears of bliss and babbling that I wished to speak to him, said, “I shall take care of you after ten days.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: These songs have been uploaded solely for listening pleasure and as an archive to preserve Carnatic music. I do not intend to violate any copyrights held by the respective owners of these songs. I do not own any copyright to the content uploaded. If any material infringes on your copyright, please notify me, and I will promptly remove it from my YouTube channel.