raagarasika

Episode 10: A Discussion on Gamakams

We continue our discussion from the last episode on Kalyani and Mohanakalyani, and discuss the role gamakams play when raagas are rendered.

Episode 9: Featured Raagas -- Kalyani and Mohanakalyani

In this week's episode, Vidya provides the answer to last week's quiz. The odd-man out song is in Mohanakalyani. Vidya highlights some of the key differences between Kalyani and Mohanakalyani and illustrates the role of gamakams in bringing out differences between allied ragas using the three songs in the quiz.

Episode 8: Raaga Quiz -- Kalyani

A good approach to enjoying Carnatic music is to begin training your ear to discern raagas and raaga patterns. In this episode, Vidya sings three different snippets - two of them in Kalyani raaga and one in a different raaga. Can you find the odd one out? We will answer the quiz in the next episode. If you know the answer, write to us! There will be special credit for people who not only provide the answer but also explain why and how the raagas are different. We will recognize noteworthy entries in a subsequent episode.

Episode 7: Featured Composition -- Navarasa Navaraga Varnam

We continue last episode's focus on Padmabhushan Lalgudi Jayaraman and turn our attention to his compositions. We feature his set of compositions included in Jaya Jaya Devi, a dance drama on Mother Goddess (Devi). Specifically, we focus on the Navarasa Varnam, a raagamalika that showcases the nine emotions (navarasas), and also discuss raagamalikas in general.

Episode 6: Featured Person – Padmabhushan Lalgudi G. Jayaraman

Just as in any other performing art, Carnatic Music -- especially if you want to perform -- takes several years of learning and practice.   And in Carnatic Music, the guru has a very special and almost sacred place in your life. In this episode, we talk about Vidya's guru: Lalgudi Jayaraman. We also discuss his unique style, the Lalgudi Bani.

Episode 5: Featured Place -- Chennai

As we explore the world of Carnatic Music, every now and then, we plan to highlight key cities, towns, and villages that play an important role in this art form. In the last segment, we discussed the art of listening. We talked about how attending concerts is one way to expose yourself and learn by listening. When it comes to Carnatic music concerts, Chennai has a lot to offer. So, in this segment, we shine the spotlight on Chennai.

Episode 4: The Art of Listening

We start of this episode by learning a bit more about Vidya. Then, we discuss how you can begin your journey to understand and appreciate Carnatic Music better. Vidya's tip is pretty straightforward yet profound: keep listening to a lot of Carnatic Music and start looking for patterns.

Episode 3: Raaga Discussion -- Naattai

We continue the discussion from the last episode. We discuss the raaga Naattai, the raaga in which Maha Ganapathim is composed.

Episode 2: Featured Song -- Maha Ganapathim

One of the best ways to appreciate Carnatic Music better is to listen to songs. In that spirit, we will be regularly featuring certain songs and talk about them. This week, our featured song is Maha Ganapatim.

Episode 1: Welcome to Raaga Rasika

Here's the first podcast in the series. In this episode, we discuss what Raaga Rasika is, what you should expect from this program, and why we are doing this. This is going to be an exciting journey and we hope you join us!