 'Music Today' released an album 'Panchabhutams' in Chennai on August 18 on Muthuswami Dikshitar's compositions on the five elements with music composed by L Vaidyanathan in an experimental mix of the traditional and Western systems. Carnatic vocalist Bombay Jayashree has sung the compositions melodiously.
Noted film director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao released the cassette and CD (priced at Rs 50 and Rs 225 respectively) at Music World in Spencer's Plaza, in the presence of L Vaidyanathan, Bombay Jaishree and Music Today's COO Venkat Rolla.
Vaidyanathan said he had used traditional and Western instruments to orchestrate the background score. It was a privilege for him to work on such a prestigious project, he said, pointing out the salient features of the album.
It begins with the invocation from the Upanishads followed by slokas from the Rig Vedas where it describes 'Ether' (Akasa), which is followed by the beautiful kriti of Dikshitar 'Anandanatana' in raga Kedaram. In this composition, Dikshitar describes the Lord's cosmic dance in the Citsabha and his various other forms of dance to the accompaniment of musical instruments.
'Arunachalanatha' is composed on the Lord of Tiruvannamalai who represents the element 'Fire' (Jyothi).
'Chintayama' is composed in raga Bhairavi representing the element 'Earth' (Prithvi). Here the Lord, who resides at Kanchipuram, manifests himself in the Prithvilinga and lives in the inner self of Guruguha (Dikshitar's mudra or signature).
'Jambhupathe' in raga Yamanakalyani represents Water (Jala), composed on the Lord Jambupathe of Tiruvanaikava. The Lord is described as the Father of pure, faultless knowledge of the form of
Guruguha.
'Srikalahasthisam' in raga Husseni, represents Wind (Vayu), composed on the Lord of
Kalahasti.
Each kriti has a Rig Veda description of its respective element. Jaishree's voice modulations combined with a passion for classicism have added value to the compositions of Vaidyanathan, Venkat Rolla said.
Jaishree said she was honoured to work with Vaidyanathan. Every session with him was a lesson for her and also a spiritual experience, she added.
Vaidyanathan said his son Ganesh had assisted him with the programming and improving the technical aspects of the music score.
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Rangaraj
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Panchabhutams
