Though there are many raagas that I like very much (In fact, there is nothing like a raaga that I don’t like), nothing gives me as much pleasure as listening to Sahana. I can say without any doubt that nobody can stop themselves from falling in love with Sahana. It’s such a beautiful raaga!
Sample this:
(The song ‘Indha Veenaikku’ from K.Balachandar’s old TV serial ‘Rayil Sneham’)
I remembered this song all of a sudden a couple of days back and what better site than youtube to search for it. You think of some song and you are sure to find it in youtube most of the times. By the way, I later searched for ‘Indha Veenaikku’ in Google and found that many bloggers had written about this one and Sahana in 2005/06. I don’t know how I missed reading those at that time.
Coming back to Sahana, incidentally Sanjay Subrahmanyan too has said in his interviews that Sahana is his favourite raaga. No wonder then, that he sings Sahana in many of his concerts, if not an entire song atleast a Viruttam or when singing a ragamalika in Raagam-Taanam-Pallavi. The same is the case with T.M.Krishna. Of course, I haven’t heard him say anywhere that Sahana is his favourite. But, he too sings Sahana in most of his concerts.
Even A.R.Rahman spoke at the Carnatic Chills audio release about an absolutely amazing Sahana played by Ganesh & Kumaresh that he listened to somewhere. I heard them play Sri Vathapi Ganapathi recently. Amazing of course, it was!
Some Carnatic songs in Sahana that are my favourites:
Chittam Irangadha by Sanjay Subrahmanyan – You can listen to it here:
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/carnatic_vocal/s/
album.2322/artist.107/
Ee Vasudha by Sanjay or T.M.Krishna (I have heard them both sing it in concerts) – You can listen to this song played by Guitar Prasanna here:
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/carnatic_instrumental/s/
album.113/artist.184/
Rama Ika Nannu – You can find it here sung by Sanjay:
http://www.sangeethapriya.org/Downloads/sanjay/toronto/
sanjaytoronto.html
Tillai Ambalatthaanai – Sanjay has sung this song in his album titled ‘Tillai’. A 21-minute song in Sahana! Pure bliss! I especially love the fast-paced swarams that he sings at around 17.oo minutes in this song.
Oho Kaalame by Sanjay – This composition by Vedanayakam Pillai is the one that Sanjay Subrahmanyan is, I should say, promoting nowadays.
Then, there are the songs Sri Vathapi Ganapathi, Vandanamu and Giripai.
Talking about film songs in Sahana, nothing can beat the old song, Paartthaen Siritthaen. All the lines end with words ending with ‘thaen’ in this song. Lovely!
Then, there is one of Rahman’s best compositions, ‘Azhage Sugama’ from Paarthaale Paravasam. I thought this one is in Sahana. But, someone told me that it is in Dwijavanti. Can someone please tell me if this one is in Sahana/Dwijavanti?
P.S.: Even if you are someone who doesn’t listen to classical music, I want you to listen to atleast one song that I have listed here. I am sure you will like it. After all, though it helps to have knowledge of Carnatic music to appreciate it, it is not a must that you should know it to enjoy it that too when listening to a raaga like Sahana.
yes i guess it is Sahana ( with my limited theory knowledge ).
and K.Balachandars favourite raga also.
let me listen all and tell u
Adiya,
Yes K.B.’s fav raaga is Sahana only. Otherwise why would he name a serial as Sahana…
Hello,
Sahana was sung as the main piece in a recent kutcheri of TM Krishna at Vidya Bharathi(Apart from the RTP in Kambhodhi).It was really sung at lenght with good Neraval(as is TMK’s usual style).I remember having read the review somewhere,in your blog or Ramsabode.I attended the concert.Kshinamai in Mukhari was vintage Semmangudi Bani.Shri MA Sundareswaran and Shri Umayalpuram Sivaraman were the accompanists.
Sathej
Sathej,
I had written about it and you had also commented that you are a student of Shri MA Sundareswaran in that post. I just can’t forget the Sahana that TMK sang & Shri Sundareswaran played that day!
Looks like there is so much in this world to learn & appreciate. A Man’s life isn’t enough for it. Hmm, Sahana! Thanks for the intro. >:O)
Ranjhith,
To quote what Rahman says in Worldspace ad, ‘There’s so much to hear’ 🙂
Yep. Very true, then I have a post on that. >:O)
Chk this out: http://thrattle.wordpress.com/2006/07/13/worldspace-there-is-so-much-to-hear/
Those verses are too good. Enjoy! Cheers.
Hello,
As regards the TMK kuctheri,yes,I had fogotten about posting the comment in your blog.You too have worldspace!I listen to Shruthi in the mornings and sometimes in the afternoons(when I don’t have college)Its really good,especially the morning Nadopasana and afternoon Raga Pravaham.Once,they put up a two hour Special from 9-11 PM and I sat right through it.It was none other than Flute Mali.His Begada RTP was just out of the world.
Sathej
Ranjhith,
Yes nice lines!
Sathej,
I don’t have Worldspace. Even without Worldspace, I am listening to music most of the times. 🙂 I have heard that Shruti is good. And Begada RTP that must have been great! Begada is one of my favourite raagas.
Absolute fav of mine…thanks for bringing it up via UTube…
Sahana is my fav raga too..I have listened to all the above mentioned krithis rendered by sanjay sir 🙂 I listened to a beautiful krithi called ishAnAdishivAkAramanche by thalaivar dIkshithar and i totally fell in love with it. It is a must hear!!Keep checking http://www.sangeethamshare.org/dikshithar I will post the krithi there soon!!
Sai,
Thanks a lot for sending me the song! You made my day! 🙂
Sahana is one of the intellectual ragas along with Begada, Dhanyasi etc.
Late Sri M D Ramanathan was a specialist and has thrilled many people with hismusic. You need hear him singing this raga in a [very] base voice in chowka kala. Pretty amazing.
I *think* you can get a couple of clips from sangeethpriya.org. His Giripai is not to be missed!!!
Mahesh,
Welcome to my blog 🙂 Thanks I will check out sangeethapriya. Right now I am hooked to MDR’s Kedaragowlai only 🙂
Thanks Aparna!! Found your blog whilst googling for something else!!
Any of MDR’s music and I’m hooked 🙂 Right now, I’m listening to his Dikshitar krithis compilation I made from various concerts. Akshayalingavibho in Shankarabaranam to be followed by Sri Subramanyaya Namasthe in Kambodhi. Quality.
hi,
im a doctor…hav learnt a drop from d ocean f carnatic music for five years….was searching for a blog to discuss raagas…wat wud u say about pantuvaraali? coz i have been listenin to it off late and wud love to do aalaap in dis raaga dan any other.