The Raaga Abheri is an ancient motif in Carnatic Classical music. A Janya raga of Kharaharapriya, it imparts a sense of devotion along with a feeling of Whispiness... When listening to this raaga, I am taken to an ethereal world of love and devotion that imparts a sense of lightness in my being..

These traits make this motif an excellent foundation for improvisation, which has resulted in its extensive use in Jazz, Country and Indian Film music. 

Here's an example to show you that music is universal and that carnatic music acts as a repository for musical motifs from around the world..

Songs:

Joline - Dolly Parton
Paani da Rang - Aayushman Khurrana
Shabba Shabba - A.R.Rahman

#Indian #Classicalmusic #Carnatic #Country #Jazz #Raaga #Raga #Abheri #Bhimpalasi #Fusion #voicerecording #joline #dollyparton #panidarang #ayushmaankhurrana #shabbashabba #arrahman #cover

Abheri Mix 1: Joline - Paani da Rang - Shabba Shabba scratch version

Abheri, Part II: The popular track 'Shape of You', by Ed Sheeran is based on the Raaga Abheri (no doubt, the reason behind it's astounding listenabilility and success). 

The virtuosos at Indian Raga (Mahesh Raghavan and Vinod Krishnan) brought in Manmohini Morey (also based in Abheri) breakout star Aditya Rao to create an amazing fusion piece called "Shape of You Carnatic Mix".

Here  is a riff on that track..

#Indian #Classicalmusic #Carnatic #Country #Jazz #Raaga #Raga #Abheri #Bhimpalasi #Fusion #voicerecording #indianraaga #shapeofyou #edsheeran #Carnaticmix #cover

Abheri Mix II: 'I'm in love with your body' Carnatic riff

The song Naan Varugiren from OK Kanmani perfectly captures the mystical magic of A.R.Rahman's music. Here he uses Raaga Darbari Kaanada that drifts into Jonpuri to evoke a sense of yearning, a desire for fulfillment. 

This song creates a sense of devotion or 'bhava' in the listener, while creating a sense of grandeur of all around him. When I listen to this song, I can't help but be transported into the realms of mysticism. This song draws me to the grandeur of creation around me while making me yearn to become one with it. This song takes me towards transcendence..

The same feeling is imparted when listening to 'Yeppo Varuvaro', a Carnatic song dedicated to Lord Shiva in Raaga Jonpuri. 

#Indian #Classicalmusic #Carnatic #Raaga #Raga #Darbari Kaanada #kaanada #Jonpuri #mystical #voicerecording #okkanmani #naanVarugiren #arrahman #cover

Naane Varugiren riff - In the Lap of Creation

The Raaga Kaapi creates a sense of Melancholy and despondency in the mind of mind of the listener. This raaga perfectly emotes the sense of longing and loneliness associated with unrequited love. 

in Carnatic music, this raaga is used multiple times in compositions describing the relationship between Yashodha and Krishna, especially after Yashodha realizes the true nature of her Sons being. Both Jagadodhara in Kannada and Kuraiundrum Ellam in Tamil work beautifully to deliver this emotion using this raaga.

Here, we see the raaga being used in 2 songs, across three languages in 3 genres. The song Desert Rose by Sting, featuring the mesmerizing Cheb Mami's Arabic lyrics and composition beautifully render this expression of longing for a lost love across the genres of Western Rock and North African Raï music. 

I have introduced into this mix a song from Tamil Film music - Anbe Anbe from the movie Jeans (coincidently was released in the same year -1998), that beautifully renders the same emotion of unrequited love. The original song is delivered with expertise by the virtuoso combination of Hariharan (singer) and A.R.Rahman (composer/musician).

This is a true demonstration of the universality of Carnatic music, and music in general.

A Longing for Lost Love

Raag Yaman in Hindustani Classical music is an embodiment of the unceasing love between the Cosmic Lovers.

The most iconic representation of this Cosmic Love Story is between Radha and Krishna. And the notes of Yaman in Hindustani music and Kalyani in Carnatic music embody just that. 

Here, I present a quick Jugalbandhi bringing together the Bandish - Aao Balma, popularized by the Re-composition by A.R.Rahman for Coke Studio and the Carnatic Classical Varnam - Vanajakshi in raaga Kalyani, that is taught to every student of Carnatic music and known to all in the southern regions of India.

These classical numbers in Yaman and Kalyani are the true embodiment of the Eternal Love between Radha and Krishna.

Happy Janmashtami to all!



The Embodiment of Eternal Love

This was a scratch version of 'Manmohini Morey' I recorded on my laptop last year.. just the voice and nothing else.. This is based on the raag Bhimplasi in Hindustani music and Abheri in Carnatic music. 

Manmohin morey scratch version

This is my first attempt at recording the song breathless, a cover originally by Shankar Mahadevan from the mid 1990s that catapulted him to success early in his career.. I made a few mistakes at the end.. it's work in progress.. 
This song is based in raag Yaman in hindustani music and Kalyani in Carnatic music.

Sid, the meditating sloth

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