5️⃣ Himachala tanaya - Anandabhairavi - Shyama 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 5

“Himachala tanaya brochutaku” in the raga Anandabhairavi is a composition of Shyama Shastri, set to Adi talam.
This recording is an excerpt from Doordarshan’s musical serial “ Svara Raga Sudha” aired in the mid 1980’s.
The fast paced tempo together with orchestral music, perhaps is adapted for the purpose of the intended TV programme.

💐Acknowledgements: 🌺 My sincere thanks to the producers of the programme and Doordarshan Bangalore for its transmission.