Kurai Ondrum Ilai
Today is the 6th anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr.M.S.Subbulakshmi, the great Carnatic vocalist. I would like to pay my tribute to the great artist and human being by singing the song ‘Kurai Ondrum Illai’, one of the many songs popularized by her. The lyrics of the song were by Rajaji, set to tune by Sri.Kadayanallur Venkatraman, the person I admire so much as a composer. I have sung a short alapana of Sivaranjani ragam, the first of the 3 ragams used in this ragamalika composition, as a prelude to the song.
Kurai Ondrum Illai | Upload Music
M.S. amma is my role model for how to be a good musician and more than that, a good human being. I regret even today for having missed the opportunity to listen to M.S. amma's performance when she was among us. Though I have been a student of Carnatic music since childhood (thanks to my parents' support for my interest), I did not have a great passion for Carnatic music and never took it seriously, apart from going to music classes regularly, despite occasional breaks. Like the majority, I had more attraction towards film music and it's grandeur.
But, things changed after I came under the tutelage of Dr.S.A.K.Durga, a renowned musicologist. I learned how to appreciate the creative side of Carnatic music, called 'Manodharma sangeetham', identified the areas I need to work more on in my singing, thanks to Durga madam's guidance. I must say that I did not utilize many opportunities since my childhood to appreciate this great art form and be a sincere student to all my gurus who taught me the music. My sincere apologies to them.
Having started to understand the richness of our own music form, I can surely say that in no other form of music other than Indian Classical music, is on stage creativity given so much importance - raga alapanai, swarakalpanai, niraval, thanam, thani avarthanam, so on. Listening to such extempore creativity in each concert is a great experience. This change in my interest was the main reason I have not posted songs in my blog for some time. I realized that there is a lot to learn for me in the ocean of music and a lot to improve and correct in my singing. Honestly, I do not like the way I had sung most of the songs in my blog till date. So, I felt it's better to take the time to learn, practice and hone my singing skills and then share any more of my songs. This song too, in my opinion, is certainly not my best work. But, I just wanted to show my respect for the great artist by singing a song in her remembrance. Long live M.S.'s music!
An interesting and very moving article about the story behind the lyrics of this song, from The Hind's archive - http://www.hinduonnet.com/mag/2002/12/22/stories/2002122200220100.htm
