చర్వితచర్వణం

Introduction :  Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna (aka. M. Balamurali Krishna aka Balamurali aka. BMK) is a versatile carnatic vocalist. There are innumerable introductions about him. Some detailed and some very detailed. So, I attempted to pick “Top 10” songs but quickly realized that it is a futile attempt. He sang so many songs that any “Top 10 songs” will not do justice. So, here are “Top 10 composers/genre” he has sung and immortalized. Top 10: Jayadeva (1170 - 1245) - Sanskrit BMK has tuned many of the songs of Geeta Govinda. He brought out the Sringara, viraha, playfulness of the lyrics. Here is a link . Annamacharya (1408 - 1503) - Telugu / Sanskrit BMK has tuned several kirtanas of Annamayya and sung them melodiously. Here is a link . Purandara dasa (1484 - 1564) - Kannada / Sanskrit Purandara dasa is considered moola purusha for modern carnatic classical. BMK has immortalized him. Here is a link . Bhadrachala Ramadasu (1621 - 1680) - Telugu BMK has popularized Ramadasu so...

Introduction :  “ Ragam taanam pallavi ”, is a song in popular Telugu movie, Sankarabharanam (1980). One of my maternal uncle (మేనమామ) addressed, three of us siblings, as Ragam, Tanam, Pallavi in a letter to my mother. She often recollects fondly. For me, for a long time Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi was just that, a popular song. Actually, Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi ( RTP ) is one of the “items” that is presented in a typical carnatic music concert. This note is for absolute beginners interested in carnatic music. This note has minimal technical descriptions/intricacies. Goal is to know and understand the outline. RTP - Outline :  RTP can be presented by vocal artist (vocalist) or an instrumental artist. The presenter/singer is often referred as the Presenter or Main artist. This main artist is usually accompanied by at least two accompanying artists, one melody (like violin or veena ) and another percussion to keep the rhythm (like mridangam or ghatam ).  RTP item has three sections....