classic

This is one of the most popular invocations on Swami Ganesha set in the raagam Naattai, a very pleasing and chirpy raagam, almost considered a standard in many if not all classical concerts.

The one by Bombay Jayashree in the movie is a little short… so I rearranged the track a little, and added my own stuff to it. And, for the first time- have done harmonies in a totally classical composition and introduced a mild western influence here and there.


Krithi: Mahaaganapathim
Raagam: Naattai
Thaalam: Adi 
Original composer: Sri Muthuswami Dikshithar
Movie: Morning Raaga
Lead, Backing vocals, Harmonies and Mix by: Meera Manohar

There’s also a short explanation of the lyrics that I found somewhere. Makes an interesting read:

Pallavi:
Mahaganapathim Manasa Smaraami
Vashista Vaamadevaadhi Vandhitha

Anupallavi/Charanam:
Mahadevasutham Guruguhanutham
Maarakoti Prakaasham Shaantham
Madhyamakala Sahithyam:
Mahakaavya Naatakadhi priyam
Mooshika vaahana modhaka priyam

Swaram:
P P M G M R S 
R S N S P M G M
P , D N *S *R *G *M 
*M *R *S N *S N P M
*S N P M G M 
N P M R G M R R S 
*R , *S *S , N P , M G , M N S G M

Pallavi:
Dikshithar starts off with a very small pallavi singing “I medidate and recite(‘Smaraami’) with my whole heart(‘Manasa’) on the supreme Lord Ganapathy, he who is worshipped by(‘Vandhitha’) sage Vashista, Vaamadeva and others(‘aadhi’)”. Very simple but extremely open-ended for improvisation and I have heard so many different versions of the pallavi alone which once again is because of the flexibility characteristic of all dikshithar krithis. The entire scale and important phrases of the raga are brilliantly captured in the opening lines itself. Moving on to the samaashti charanam now

Anupallavi/Charanam:
Dikshithar continues describing Lord Ganesha as “He is the son(‘sutham’) of Lord Mahadeva, adored(‘nutham’) by Guruguha. He shines(‘Prakaasham’) like crores(‘koti’) of cupids(‘maara’) put together. He is the peaceful one(‘Shaantham’) and loves(‘priyam’) literary epics(‘Mahakaavya’) and other arts like Drama(‘Naataka’). He uses a mouse(‘mooshika’) as his vehicle(‘vaahana’) and loves modhakam(a popular sweet).” Not much to explain in the charanam except for the beautiful inclusion of the raga mudhra ingeniously incorporated in the word ‘Naataka’ referring to drama. On the whole, a simple composition.(With all due respect to Lord Ganesha), maybe Dikshithar composed this while he was asleep or something :). The characteristic ‘Sa Ri3’ phrase embellishes this composition.

Mahaa Ganapathim (cover)- Morning Raaga

"Ashai Mugam" - ft. Vidya Vandana

Covering this based on George Kuruvilla's request from a long time ago. Bagged a couple of awards for Shankar Mahadevan across Kerala and the Gulf. Taken liberties here and there, as always! 

Movie: Puthiya Mukham
Original music by: Deepak Dev
Originally sung by: Shankar Mahadevan
Lead, backing vocals, hamonies & mix: Meera

Picha Vacha Naal (Shankar Mahadevan cover)-Puthiya Mukham

Probably my most memorable Hindi cover to date which was done almost 2 years ago. This song was entered for the SMA-GRMD awards that happened last evening, the 10th of Dec 2011 which won me the Female Pro Voice of the year award (judged by Shankar Mahadevan).

Original music by: Amit Trivedi
Originally sung by: Kavitha Seth & Amithabh Bhattacharya
Cover version by: Meera & George Kuruvilla
Backing Harmonies & Mix: George Kuruvilla
Arrangement: Anil.B.S


Iktara (Wake up Sid) Feat.,George Kuruvilla and Anil B.S

An old recording of mine from over 2.5 years ago. 

Credits:
Movie: Indira
Original music by: A.R.Rahman
Lyrics: Vairamuthu
Based on versions by: Hariharan & Harini
Vocals and mix: Meera

Nilaa Kaaigiradhu (Cover Version) from Indira

Movie: Ra one
Original music by: Vishal-Shekar
Originally sung by: Nandini Srikar, The Prague Philharmonic choir, Vishal Dadlani and Shekar Rajviani
Cover version (lead, base backing vocals, harmonies and mix): Meera

Most of the backing vocals were part of the original track. I have layered some of those with mine.

Lyrics:

Kyun na bole mose mohan kyun?
Hai roothe roothe mohan yun
Kaise manaaun haai kaise manaaun? (2)

Un binn kate naa raina 
Unn binn aawe na ik pal chaina
Unn bin jeeun tto kaise main jeeu'n haay..

Bahe naina Bhare morey Naina
Jhare morey naina 
Mohe naina sune naahi kehna, bahe morey naina (2)

When you go when you leave 
Then you take a little piece of me with you
There's a hole in my soul 
Cause you take a little piece of me with you (x2)

nainam chindanti shastrani 
nainam dahati pavakah
na cainam kledayantyapo 
na sosayati marutah 

Haan Naino ke dwaare aane ke waade 
baandhe Aise bolo kaaahe
Chaukhat pe dil ki aahat rakhi hai 
taakon pe hai torey saaye

Unn binn unhe manaye
Unn bin kabhi jo unko rijhaaye
Unn bin chhale hai mora ye jiya (Bahe Naina)

Komal badi hai saasan ki dori
Roothe se bhi toot jaaye
Baawan tarah se jee ko manaaya
Khoje arjahun tori raahein

Unn bin unhe main paaun
Unn bin unhe main garwa lagaaun
Unn bin unhe mora jee lage haay (Bahe Naina)

classic

Navaneeth Viswam