1️⃣ Janani ninuvina - Ritigowla - Subbaraya Shastri - M Balamuralikrishna : Navarathri 2024

On the aspect of Shakti, Dr. Deepak Chopra, says, “the all-pervading energy source of existence or Shakti manifests itself as creation. Shakti is the divine mother who gives birth to and nurtures the newborn-whether it is a newborn baby, a brand new relationship, a fresh idea, or a magical manifestation.

Shakti is the Divine Feminine power present in each of us beyond boundaries of gender that activates higher powers of consciousness.

Shakti unites mind, body and spirit and governs our spiritual growth. It allows us to access insight, creativity and infinite potential.”

On this Navarathri 2024, here is an offering of nine renditions by Dr. M Balamuralikrishna which essentially echoes the above quote of insight, creativity and the power of presence of the divine mother manifested through Muraliganam.

I have diligently chosen some of my favourite recordings from the ocean of Muraliganam that have revolutionised my humble understanding of musical compositions, music and their rendition. These nine recordings of six different composers on the mother goddess that have particular interest for me. Some of these are purely a channel of divinity and love, some are the great examples of mastery in scholarship, and one in particular melted my heart totally. But all of them have broken new ground in the realm of creativity and manifestation of divine energy into purity of music.

Carnatic music is rich with many ragas, but has a distinct identity in the world music for the originality and beauty expressed in ragas such as Ritigaula, Shahana and a few others, through which it highlights the uniqueness of Carnatic music. This reverential offering also includes these ragas which give the distinct identity for the renditions presented here.

Let us listen to one composition on every day and celebrate a blissful Navarathri.

🕉️ Day 1
“Janani ninu vina” in the raga Ritigowla is a composition of Subbaraya Shastri (1803-1862). He is the second son of Syama Sastri. He studied music initially from his father. Later Syama Shastri asked Tyagaraja to teach his son and sent Subbaraya to him.
Subbaraya Shastri composed only a few compositions. But their technical quality, beauty, devotion and intricacies have made them enduring and famous. Subbaraya Shastri composed most of his kritis in praise of the Mother Goddess.
The beauty, melody, diction and the balanced emotion in articulating the words facilitate the earnest seeker to connect with the Divine instantly.