On the eve of गणेश चतुर्थि, it is worth reflecting on गणेश's remarkable influence on Carnatic music
Perhaps no other deity has inspired as many great musical compositions as गणेश !
Ranging from पुरन्दरदास to मुत्तुस्वामी दीक्षितर्
त्यागराज to वेंकटकवि ऐयर्
Perhaps no other deity has inspired as many great musical compositions as गणेश !
Ranging from पुरन्दरदास to मुत्तुस्वामी दीक्षितर्
त्यागराज to वेंकटकवि ऐयर्
No better place to start than this early पुरन्दरदास composition from 16th cen
राग : मलहरि
This composition often marks the beginning of Carnatic music lessons for any singer. My lessons started and ended with this at age 6 :)
youtube.com
राग : मलहरि
This composition often marks the beginning of Carnatic music lessons for any singer. My lessons started and ended with this at age 6 :)
youtube.com
The great doyen of Carnatic music in Cauvery belt - मुत्तुस्वामी दीक्षितर् (1776 to 1835), was most famous for his numerous compositions dedicated to गणेश
Most famous among them is this. It marks the beginning of most Carnatic concerts
राग : हंसध्वनि
youtube.com
Most famous among them is this. It marks the beginning of most Carnatic concerts
राग : हंसध्वनि
youtube.com
वातापि गणपतिं भजे has interesting legends around it
It is dedicated to the deity in Thiruvarur, which was brought all the way from Vatapi as a part of war booty by the Pallava general who raided the Chalukya capital of Vatapi in 7th cen!!
It is dedicated to the deity in Thiruvarur, which was brought all the way from Vatapi as a part of war booty by the Pallava general who raided the Chalukya capital of Vatapi in 7th cen!!
मुत्तुस्वामी दीक्षितर् has several other "गणपति" kritis to his credit.
This song is nearly as famous as his composition dedicated to वातापि गणपति
राग : नाट
youtube.com
This song is nearly as famous as his composition dedicated to वातापि गणपति
राग : नाट
youtube.com
More than half a century before मुत्तुस्वामी दीक्षितर्, we had वेंकटकवि ऐयर् of Oothukaadu (1700-1765)
I think he is more famous for his Tamil compositions especially ones focused on कृष्ण
But here's a Sanskrit composition on गणपति
राग : gambhIra nattai
youtube.com
I think he is more famous for his Tamil compositions especially ones focused on कृष्ण
But here's a Sanskrit composition on गणपति
राग : gambhIra nattai
youtube.com
The great contemporary of मुत्तुस्वामी दीक्षितर्, Saint त्यागराज (1767-1847) was most famous for his compositions on Lord Rama
But here's one on गणेश
राग : बंगाल
youtube.com
But here's one on गणेश
राग : बंगाल
youtube.com
One of the major Carnatic figures of mid 19th cen was the Maharaja of Travancore - Swati Tirunal (1813-1846)
He too has a famous composition on गणेश
Rendered here by Balamurali Krishna
राग : सावेरि
youtube.com
He too has a famous composition on गणेश
Rendered here by Balamurali Krishna
राग : सावेरि
youtube.com
Feel free to add to the list!!
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