South Indian Classical (Carnatic) Music Archive: Classes / Lessons

Full Notation -> http://www.shivkumar.org/music/

KanaithiLan KaRRerumai

(Thiruppavai Paasuram #12)

Ragam: Kedaragowla (28th Melakartha Hari Kambodhi Janyam)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kedaragaula

ARO: S R₂ M₁ P N₂ Ṡ  ||

AVA:  Ṡ N₂ D₂ P M₁ G₃ R₂ S ||

Talam: Adi

Composer: Andal / Godai / Nachiyar (Thiruppavai: Thiruppavai Wikipedia Page)

Version: Akkarai Sisters & Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm-Y31sWx74)

Lyrics / Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse12.html

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlHC2ki8JC0

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/Thiruppavai12-class.mp3

kanaiththiLan kaRRerumai kanRukku irangi *

ninaiththu mulai vazhiyE ninRu paal cOra *

nanaiththillam cERaakkum naR celvan thangaay *

paniththalai vIzha nin vaacaR kadai paRRic *

cinaththinaal thennilangaik kOmaanaic ceRRa *

manaththukku iniyaanaip paadavum nI vaay thiRavaay *

iniththaan ezhundhiraay eedhenna pEruRakkam *

anaiththillath thaarum aRindhu ElOr empaavaay.

Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse12.html

{Additional sites: http://www.asayana.com/religion/18-2/and http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/tpv/}

Context: Andal's thirty songs contain the cardinal principles of Vaishnava dharma during the month of Marghazhi. Vaishnavas sing these songs to bring peace, prosperity and Divine Grace. Andal assumes the guise of a cowherd girl in these 30 verses. Andal appears intent upon performing a particular religious vow to marry the Lord, thereby obtain His everlasting company, and inviting all her girl-friends to join her. Towards the end we learn that she did not actually perform a religious rite; but is simply praying to be granted the service of the Lord for eternity. She yearns for everlasting happiness and service of the Lord.

Sri Andal continuing her pursuit of waking up the girls to join her on the Margazhi Nonbu ( worship) has enrolled 6 girls till now and is now on the door step of the 7th girl. The scene is the house of a cowherd whose magnificent cows are so laden with milk that when the milking is delayed by the cowherd, the cows thinking of their calves start secreting so much milk from their udders in overflow that the ground below becomes slushy. The reference here is that when anything is in great abundance it pours forth, abundance of devotion for the Lord, pours forth as divine music. So is the Lord’s compassion for his devotees that it can pour forth for us. Oh girl, we are standing in your courtyard with the early morning winter dew drenching our heads, and singing the praise of the Lord who destroyed the King of Lanka, the Lord who is so dear to our hearts and you are not even responding! Everyone can see us here and you are in such deep sleep, wake up girl and join us for the worship.

Notations -> http://www.shivkumar.org/music/

Vaarana Mukha Vaa

Ragam: Hamsadhwani (29th Melakartha Janyam)

ARO: S R2 G3 P N3 S ||

Talam: Rupakam

Composer: KotIshvara Iyer

Version: Ram Kaushik

Meaning Courtesy: Arasi, Rasikas.org: https://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8468

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdtMOnY3osA

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/vaaranamukha-class.mp3

Pallavi:

vAraNa mukha vA tuNai varuvAi aruLvAi dayavAi

Anupallavi:

AraNap-poruLAna kanda gAnAmudattirkkuL karuNAmudam udaviyE aruL mata

Charanam:

innishai iyal ilakkiyam Ariyam tamizh arivEdum inri kannal annaik-kanda

gAnAmuda nannUlai unnum kavi kunjaradAsan nAn unnaruL koNDE paNNat-

tuNindEn munnavanE nI mun ninrAl muDiyAda-donrillai AdalAl ati vEgam-adAgavE

Meaning Courtesy: Arasi, Rasikas.org: https://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8468

This is the invocation song in the book of krithis by kOTISvara Iyer.

P: vAraNa mukA=the elephant faced one!

vA! tuNai varuvAi!=come, walk with me (keeping me company, guiding me)

AP: AraNap poruLAna (poruL+Ana)=that which is the essence of the vedAs (AraNam=vEdam)

kanda gAnAmudattiRkkuL=in the kanda gAnAmudam (his own--kOTISvara Iyer's--compositions)

karuNAmudam udaviyE aruL=help with the nectar of karuNA too, in it (mada vAraNa mukA--here madam is knowledge)

C: inniSai iyal ilakkiyam Ariyam tamizh=sweet poetry, prose, literature, sanskrit, tamizh)

aRivEdum inRi=without any knowledge of the above

kannal anai=honey like; kanda gAnAmuda nannUlai=of the kanda gAnAmuda song collection

unnum (ninaikkum)=thinking upon; kavi gunjara dAsan (that is himself, kOtISvara Iyer, the disciple and dAsan

of his grandfather kavi kunjaram)

nAn unnaruL koNDE=with your grace; paNNat tuNindEN=I resolved to sing these songs

munnavanE!=the god who comes before all! (vinAyakA)

nI mun ninRAl muDiyAdadonRillai=nothing is impossible if you lead me, guide me

AdalAl adi vEgamAgavE=so, very speedily...

Notation -> http://www.shivkumar.org/music/

kaRRuk kaRavaik

(Thiruppavai Paasuram #11)

Ragam: Huseni  { 22nd Melakartha Raga Janyam}

ARO:  S R2 G2 M1 P N2 D2 N2 S ||

AVA:  S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S  ||

Talam: Misra Chapu

Composer: Andal / Godai / Nachiyar (Thiruppavai: Thiruppavai Wikipedia Page)

Version: Akkarai Sisters & Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jXM3oX-ODE)

Lyrics / Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse11.html

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB5KbDXCeMw

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/Thiruppavai11-class.mp3

kaRRuk kaRavaik kaNangaL pala kaRandhu *

ceRRaar thiRal-azhiyac cenRu ceruc ceyyum *

kuRRam onR-illaadha kOvalar-tham poRkodiyE *

puRR-arava-lkul puna-mayilE pOdharaay *

cuRRaththu thOzhimaar ellaarum vandhu * nin

muRRam pugundhu mugil-vaNNan pEr paada *

siRRaadhE pEsaadhE celvap peNdaatti * nee

eRRukku-uRangum poruL ElOr embaavaay.

Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse11.html

{Additional sites: http://www.asayana.com/religion/18-2/and http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/tpv/}

Context: Andal's thirty songs contain the cardinal principles of Vaishnava dharma during the month of Marghazhi. Vaishnavas sing these songs to bring peace, prosperity and Divine Grace. Andal assumes the guise of a cowherd girl in these 30 verses. Andal appears intent upon performing a particular religious vow to marry the Lord, thereby obtain His everlasting company, and inviting all her girl-friends to join her. Towards the end we learn that she did not actually perform a religious rite; but is simply praying to be granted the service of the Lord for eternity. She yearns for everlasting happiness and service of the Lord.

We are all blessed to be in this land and community of Lord Krishna, You are the unblemished golden jewel of the cowherds who have milked their many cows and are capable of vanquishing their enemies in battle. Oh beautiful one, all your friends are gathered in your yard, singing the praise of the cloud like dark skinned Lord, and how do you still sleep and not wake up to join the worship?

(Courtesy:Dr. V.K.S.N. Raghavan): Oh Golden Creeper of a girl ( the scion among the maidens of this group)! You are a jewel among the cowherds , who are:

(1) master craftsmen in the milking of ever so many groups of young milch cows (at a stretch)

(2) skillful in warfare ,namely , very much able to go against and destroy their (strong)opponents and routing their strength and

(3) thoroughly blemishless ! Oh Charming peacock-like (beautiful) damsel with the hips resembling the hood of a cobra! May You come (and join our fold).When we--Your kinswomen and friends --have come and entered the open front yard (without roof ) of Your house , and when we are singing (in chorus) the names of the Lord of dark cloud-like hue, what are you fast asleep for ,without even moving or giving any response, Oh rich and young girl ?

Full Notation -> http://www.shivkumar.org/music/

nORRuc cuvarkkam

(Thiruppavai Paasuram #10)

Ragam: Thodi  (8th Melakartha)

ARO: S R1 G2 M1 P D1 N2 S  ||

AVA: S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R1 S  ||

Talam: Misra Chapu

Composer: Andal / Godai / Nachiyar (Thiruppavai: Thiruppavai Wikipedia Page)

Version: Akkarai Sisters & Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWTWLKeLJZ4)

Lyrics / Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse10.html

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tIanlXNzYQ

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/Thiruppavai10-class.mp3

nORRuc cuvarkkam puguginRa ammanaay! *

maaRRamum thaaraarO vaasal thiRavaadhaar *

naaRRath thuzhaay mudi naaraayaNan * nammaal

pORRap paRai tharum puNNiyanaal * pandu oru naaL

kooRRaththin vaay veezhndha kumbakarNanum *

thORRum unakkE perunthuyil thaan thandhaanO *

aaRRa anandhal udaiyaay! arungalamE *

thERRamaay vandhu thiRavElOr embaavaay.

Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse10.html

{Additional sites: http://www.asayana.com/religion/18-2/and http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/tpv/}

Context: Andal's thirty songs contain the cardinal principles of Vaishnava dharma during the month of Marghazhi. Vaishnavas sing these songs to bring peace, prosperity and Divine Grace. Andal assumes the guise of a cowherd girl in these 30 verses. Andal appears intent upon performing a particular religious vow to marry the Lord, thereby obtain His everlasting company, and inviting all her girl-friends to join her. Towards the end we learn that she did not actually perform a religious rite; but is simply praying to be granted the service of the Lord for eternity. She yearns for everlasting happiness and service of the Lord.

The second section of Sri Andal’s Thiruppavai consists of 10 verses beginning with the above 6th verse and sets out to wake up 10 girls to join Andal for the Margazhi worship. Each verse is an attempt to awaken one of the girls and adopts a different reasoning and pleading. The common theme however is citing the reason for waking up ie to worship the Lord, and the Lord who is to be worshipped is referenced citing his many splendorous qualities and pertinent deeds that He performed during his incarnations in this earth.

Oh blessed girl, who by virtue of her earlier worships is destined to unite with the Lord in heaven, please open the door, why are you not even responding with words to our call ? Have you been handed over the sleep of the demon Kumbakarna ? Kumbakarna who was slain by Lord Rama, the embodiment of dharma who is adorned by tulsi mala, with fragrant hair, who is worshipped by us and is full of virtues. Oh sleepy slovenly girl, please wake up adorn yourself and come and open the door and join us in the Paavai Nonbu.

Notation -> http://www.shivkumar.org/music/

ChAla Kallaladu

Ragam: Arabhi (29th Mela Janyam)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabhi

ARO:  S R₂ M₁ P D₂ Ṡ ||

AVA:  Ṡ N₃ D₂ P M₁ G₃ R₂ S ||

Talam: Adi

Composer: Tyagaraja

Version: Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgEZQ15XPJM)

Meaning Courtesy: https://thyagaraja-vaibhavam.blogspot.com/2008/04/thyagaraja-kriti-chala-kalla-raga.html

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTUfACjNhCc

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/salakalla-class.mp3

Pallavi:

cAla kallal(A)Dukonna saukhyam(E)mirA

Anupallavi:

kAlamu pOnu mATa nilucunu

kalyANa rAma nAtO (cA)

CharaNam:

talli taNDri nEn(u)NDa takkina bhayam(E)larA(y)ani

palumAru nIv(e)ntO bAsalu cEsi

ilalO sari vAralalO entO brOcuc(u)NDi

peddalatO palki meppinci tyAgarAjunitO (cA)

Full Notations -> http://www.shivkumar.org/music/

Padavi Ni

Ragam: Salaka Bhairavi {22nd Melakartha (Kharaharapriya) Janyam}

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salaga_Bhairavi

ARO:   S R2 M1 P D2 S ||

AVA: S N2 D2 P M1 G2 R2 S ||

Talam: Adi (Deshadi)

Composer: Tyagaraja

Version: Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gYbFMuV61Q)

Meaning Courtesy: https://thyagaraja-vaibhavam.blogspot.com/2007/10/thyagaraja-kriti-padavi-nee-raga.html

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V_bltlFmXQ

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/padavini-class.mp3

Pallavi:

padavi nI sad-bhaktiyu kalguTE

Anupallavi:

cadivi vEda SAstr(O)panishattula

satta teliya lEnidi padaviyA (padavi)

Charanam 4:

tyAgarAja nutuDau SrI rAmuni

tatvamu teliyanid(o)ka padaviyA (padavi)

Meaning Courtesy: https://thyagaraja-vaibhavam.blogspot.com/2007/10/thyagaraja-kriti-padavi-nee-raga.html

In the kRti ‘padavi nI sadbhakti’ – rAga sALaka bhairavi, SrI tyAgarAja states that one’s real status is true devotion to the Lord.

Sahityam: padavi nI sad-bhaktiyu kalguTE

Meaning: Having (kalguTE) true devotion (sad-bhaktiyu) towards You (nI) is indeed status (padavi).

Sahityam:cadivi vEda SAstr(O)panishattula satta teliya lEnidi padaviyA (padavi)

Meaning: Being erudite (cadivi), is it a status (padiviyA) not knowing (teliya lEnidi) the Truth (satta) of vEda, SAstra and upanishad etc (SAstrOpanishattula)?

Having true devotion towards You is indeed status.

Sahityam: tyAgarAja nutuDau SrI rAmuni tatvamu teliyanid(o)ka padaviyA (padavi)

C4 Meaning: Is it a (oka) status (padaviyA) not knowing (teliyanidi) (teliyanidoka) the true nature (tatvamu) of SrI rAma (rAmuni) – one praised (nutuDau) by this tyAgarAja?

Having true devotion towards You is indeed status.

Full Notation -> http://www.shivkumar.org/music/

Ramanatham

Ragam: Panthuvarali (Kasiramakriya, 51st Melakartha)

ARO: S R1 G3 M2 P D1 N3 S

AVA: S N3 D1 P M2 G3 R1 S

Talam: Rupakam (Thrishra Ekam)

Composer: Dikshitar

Version: Hyderabad Brothers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOv1Im0v7QQ)

Meaning Courtesy: http://guru-guha.blogspot.com/2008/05/dikshitar-kriti-ramanatham-bhajeham.html

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COf1lhAUwbc

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/ramanatham-class.mp3

Meaning Courtesy: http://guru-guha.blogspot.com/2008/05/dikshitar-kriti-ramanatham-bhajeham.html

Sahityam: rAma nAthaM bhajE(a)haM rAma candra pUjitam

Meaning:  I worship Lord Ramanatha… the one worshipped by Ramachandra.

bhajE-ahaM  - I worship

rAma nAthaM - Lord Ramanatha,

rAma candra pUjitam - the one worshipped by Ramachandra,

Sahityam:kAmita phala prada dEvaM

Meaning: the god granting desired benefits ,

Sahityam:kOTi tIrtha prabhAvaM

Meaning: the causer of the efficacy of the sacred tank Koti tirtha,

Sahityam kumAra guru guha viditaM

Meaning: the one understood by the young Guruguha,

Sahityam kapi bRndAdi sannutam

Meaning: the one exalted by the hordes of monkeys etc. (of Rama’s army),

Sahityam: sEtu madhya gandha mAdana - parvata vihAraM

Meaning: sEtu madhya gandha mAdana-parvata vihAraM - the one sporting on the Gandhamadana mountain that is in the middle of the Setu region or island,

Sahityam: sadA parvata vardhanI manOllAsa-karam

Meaning: sadA parvata vardhanI mana-ullAsa-karam - the one who always delights the heart of Goddess Parvatavardhani,

Sahityam: hastAmalaka nata varaM hATaka-maya hAra dharaM

Meaning: hasta-amalaka nata varaM - the giver of boons to those who salute, apparent like the fruit of Amla on one’s palm,

Meaning: hATaka-maya hAra dharaM - the one wearing golden necklaces,

Sahityam: hatyAdi pApa haraM haMsassOhAkAram

Meaning: hatyA-Adi pApa haraM  - the remover of sins such as that which arises from killing,

Meaning: haMsassOha-AkAram - the embodiment of the Hamsa-soham Mantra.

Full Notation -> http://www.shivkumar.org/music/

ThUmani Madathu

(Thiruppavai Paasuram #09)

Ragam: Hamir Kalyani  (65th Mela janyam)

ARO: S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S ||

AVA: S N3D2 P M2 G3 M1 (M#) G3 P M2 R2 S ||

Talam: Adi

Composer: Andal / Godai / Nachiyar (Thiruppavai: Thiruppavai Wikipedia Page)

Version: Akkarai Sisters & Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfxOOQqg83g)

Lyrics / Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse9.html

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myhf_ReRiJ0

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/Thiruppavai09-class.mp3

thoomaNi maadaththuc cuRRum viLakkeriyath *

thoopam kamazhath thuyilaNaimEl kaN vaLarum *

maamaan magaLE! maNik kadhavam thaaL thiRavaay *

maameer! avaLai ezhuppeerO * un magaL thaan

oomaiyO? anRic cevidO? anandhalO? *

Emap perunthuyil mandhirap pattaaLO? *

maamaayan maadhavan vaikundhan enRenRu *

naamam palavum navinRElOr embaavaay.

Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse9.html

{Additional sites: http://www.asayana.com/religion/18-2/and http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/tpv/}

Context: Andal's thirty songs contain the cardinal principles of Vaishnava dharma during the month of Marghazhi. Vaishnavas sing these songs to bring peace, prosperity and Divine Grace. Andal assumes the guise of a cowherd girl in these 30 verses. Andal appears intent upon performing a particular religious vow to marry the Lord, thereby obtain His everlasting company, and inviting all her girl-friends to join her. Towards the end we learn that she did not actually perform a religious rite; but is simply praying to be granted the service of the Lord for eternity. She yearns for everlasting happiness and service of the Lord.

The second section of Sri Andal’s Thiruppavai consists of 10 verses beginning with the above 6th verse and sets out to wake up 10 girls to join Andal for the Margazhi worship. Each verse is an attempt to awaken one of the girls and adopts a different reasoning and pleading. The common theme however is citing the reason for waking up ie to worship the Lord, and the Lord who is to be worshipped is referenced citing his many splendorous qualities and pertinent deeds that He performed during his incarnations in this earth.

A nice bed, comfortable and a conducive environment make for good deep sleep. In this verse Sri Andal and her friends struggle to wake up a girl (a relative – her Uncle’s daughter) who is sleeping in a nice bed, with nice lights and scented aromas so soundly that they suspect she has become deaf, not hearing anything, dumb not responding to their calls and so overcome by sloth so as not to wake up and come to open the ornate door. The girls plead to the mother of the girl to wake her up to which she responds, sing the many many names of the Lord as Maamayan, Madhavan and Vaikunthanan and being a pious and God loving girl, she will wake up on hearing the Lord’s names being chanted..

Full Notation -> http://www.shivkumar.org/music/

Kizh Vanam

(Thiruppavai Paasuram #08)

Ragam: Dhanyasi  {8th melakartha (Thodi) janyam}

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhanyasi

ARO: S G2 M1 P N2 S ||

AVA:     S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R1 S  ||

Talam: Adi (2 kalai)

Composer: Andal / Godai / Nachiyar (Thiruppavai: Thiruppavai Wikipedia Page)

Version: Akkarai Sisters & Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccx0QF32ffs)

Lyrics / Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse8.html

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCGJ0OqtIAs

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/Thiruppavai08-class.mp3

keezh vaanam veLLenRu erumai siRu veedu *

mEyvaan parandhana kaaN mikkuLLa piLLaigaLum *

pOvaan pOginRaarai(p) pOgaamal kaaththu * unnai(k)

koovuvaan vandhu ninROm * kOdhugalam udaiya

paavaay ezhundhiraay paadi(p) paRai kondu *

maavaay piLandhaanai mallarai maattiya *

dhEvaadhi dhEvanai(ch) chenRu naam sEviththaal *

aavaavenRu aaraayndhu aruL ElOr em paavaay!

Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse8.html

{Additional sites: http://www.asayana.com/religion/18-2/and http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/tpv/}

Context: Andal's thirty songs contain the cardinal principles of Vaishnava dharma during the month of Marghazhi. Vaishnavas sing these songs to bring peace, prosperity and Divine Grace. Andal assumes the guise of a cowherd girl in these 30 verses. Andal appears intent upon performing a particular religious vow to marry the Lord, thereby obtain His everlasting company, and inviting all her girl-friends to join her. Towards the end we learn that she did not actually perform a religious rite; but is simply praying to be granted the service of the Lord for eternity. She yearns for everlasting happiness and service of the Lord.

The second section of Sri Andal’s Thiruppavai consists of 10 verses beginning with the above 6th verse and sets out to wake up 10 girls to join Andal for the Margazhi worship. Each verse is an attempt to awaken one of the girls and adopts a different reasoning and pleading. The common theme however is citing the reason for waking up ie to worship the Lord, and the Lord who is to be worshipped is referenced citing his many splendorous qualities and pertinent deeds that He performed during his incarnations in this earth.

Pointing out the signs of dawn ; the slow brightening of the lower skies, the buffaloes out to graze the tender dew laden grass, Sri Andal says to the next girl whom she is calling upon, – many of the girls are going out to worship, but leaving them aside, we are at your doorstep, please wake up and let’s get to the Lord ; the Lord who vanquished the demon kesi in the form of a horse, the Lord who defeated the wrestler demons, the Lord who is the king of all kings and devas. When we sing and pray and get to Him, He is going to be so pleased that we sought him out instead of Him coming to us, that He will joyfully bless us and remove all our deficiencies.

Notation -> http://www.shivkumar.org/music/

kIchu kIchu enRu

(Thiruppavai Paasuram #07)

Ragam: Bhairavi  (20th mela Nata Bhairavi Janyam)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhairavi_(Carnatic)

ARO: S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N2 S  ||

AVA: S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S ||

Talam: Misra Chapu

Composer: Andal / Godai / Nachiyar (Thiruppavai: Thiruppavai Wikipedia Page)

Version: Akkarai Sisters & Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lbo85PTta4)

Lyrics / Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse7.html

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOa4G6ApMqE

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/Thiruppavai07-class.mp3

keecu keecu enRu engum aanaic caaththan * kalandhu

pEsina pEccaravam kEttilaiyO pEyp peNNE *

kaasum piRappum kalakalappak kai pErththu *

vaasa naRuNGkuzhal aaycciyar * maththinaal

Osai paduththa thayiraravam kEttilaiyO *

naayakap peN piLLaay naaraayaNan moorththi *

kEsavanaip paadavum nee kEttE kidaththiyO *

dhEsamudaiyaay thiRavElOr embaavaay.

Meaning Courtesy: https://ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse7.html

{Additional sites: http://www.asayana.com/religion/18-2/and http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/tpv/}

Context: Andal's thirty songs contain the cardinal principles of Vaishnava dharma during the month of Marghazhi. Vaishnavas sing these songs to bring peace, prosperity and Divine Grace. Andal assumes the guise of a cowherd girl in these 30 verses. Andal appears intent upon performing a particular religious vow to marry the Lord, thereby obtain His everlasting company, and inviting all her girl-friends to join her. Towards the end we learn that she did not actually perform a religious rite; but is simply praying to be granted the service of the Lord for eternity. She yearns for everlasting happiness and service of the Lord.

The second section of Sri Andal’s Thiruppavai consists of 10 verses beginning with the above 6th verse and sets out to wake up 10 girls to join Andal for the Margazhi worship. Each verse is an attempt to awaken one of the girls and adopts a different reasoning and pleading. The common theme however is citing the reason for waking up ie to worship the Lord, and the Lord who is to be worshipped is referenced citing his many splendorous qualities and pertinent deeds that He performed during his incarnations in this earth.

Sounds wake us up from sleep. Andal asks the girl, can you not hear the sound of the birds that are chirping, conversing before the leave the company of each other in their nests and setting out on their own to search for their food ? The beautiful ornamented women of the cowherd community with fragrant tresses are up and at work churning the curds for butter, and as they churn the curds with their dainty hands can you not hear the sounds ? We think of you as our leader, but you are asleep, why are you not awake even as we sing the praise of the Lord Narayana as Kesava who vanquished the demon Kesi, Is the sound of our music lulling you to sleep instead of waking you up ? Please open the door