Monday, March 19, 2007

Veeribhoni

Ata thaala varnam Veeribhoni in bhairavi raga by Pachimiriyam Adiyappaiya is one of my favorite songs.

The Pallavi starts off slowly enough and weaves in and out of corners but one can feel the dormant cadence starting to pump up and the blood twirl, as the song gets into a rhythm.

At the stage of Anupallavi and Mukthaaya-swara, one gets the feeling of being on an ocean full of small and big waves and the song being on top of it all, masterfully navigating the crests and troughs like a professional surfer.

Then, based on the discretion of the singer, the song is sung again from beginning but this time with a faster tempo and as this new pace builds up, one imagines oneself starting to dance in harmony with the melody.

Then, the tune changes with the Charana, which seems to be sinusoidal and at the same time beautifully carved.

Last, but not least comes the equally melodious Etthugade-swara where the song comes to a logical ending, just as how a surfer arrives back to the surface, feeling exalted with a sense of natural freshness!!

This song, I read on internet, is attributed to Pachchimiriam Adiappaiah, who became eternal with this, his only composition. I could find this one link to hear online.

To put it in a nutshell, a beautiful, beautiful song…!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

The most creative description of the viriboni experience I have heard!! Most poeple get too bothered about the swaras and musicology - it was refreshing to read a different take for a change. Good post kano!