G Saraswathi, my 74-old grand aunt, taught me more about the finer nuances of Carnatic music than my violin teachers & a collaboration with her has been long pending. This is a Trip Hop adaptation of Muthuswami Dikshathar's Sree Kanthimatheem set in Raga Hemavathi. The vocals were recorded in a single take. 

Pallavi:
Sri Kanthimathim Shankara Yuvathim
Shree Guruguha Jananeem Vandeham
 
Anupallavi:
Hreemkaara Beejaakaara Vadanaam Hiranya Manimaya Shobaa Sadanaam
Paaka Shaasanaadi Deva Vinutham Parashuraama Natha Hima Shaila Suthaam
Shuka Shounakaadi Sadaaraadhithaam Shuddha Thaamraparnee Thatasthithaam
Shankadyashtotthara Sahasra Kalashaabhisheekha Modaam Surahithaam
 
Meaning: (From T.K Govinda Rao’s book)
I prostrate before goddess Kantimati, the young (“Yuvathim”) bride of Sankara. I prostrate (“Vandeham”) before the mother (“Jananeem”) of Guruguha. Her face (“vadana”) is of the form (“akaara”) of mystic Bijakshara – Hreem. She is established in the lustrous (“shoba”) golden (“Hiranya”) mansion (“sadanam”) studded (“maya”) with gems (“mani”).She is extolled (“vinutham”) by Indra (“paaka shasanaa”) and other celestials (“deva”). She, the daughter (“suthaam”) of Himavan, is worshipped (“natha”) by Parashurama. She is always venerated (“araadhitham”) by Suka, Saunaka and others (“aadi”). She dwells (“sthithaam”) on the banks (“Thata”) of the crystal-clear (“shuddha”)  river Tamra Parni. She is anointed with holy waters from 108 (“Shankadyashtotthara”)  pitchers (“Kalasha”) and conches. She is benevolent (“modam”) to the celestials.  

Sree Kanthimatheem

I take the ridiculous and the sublime, add cellos, violins, guitars and random internet collaborators to make music of sorts

Sree Kanthimatheem

Krish Ashok