Happy Navarathri - Sarva Mangala Maangalye..

Navarathri 2015 in Boston area was as colorful and festive as it always has been.  From displays of colorful dolls and dioramas on a set of odd numbered steps (Kolus) to belting out the different songs (devi krithis) in honor of the nine Devi goddesses to step dancing using colorful sticks (dandia or Garba raas) - Navarathri in Boston is abuzz and replete with traditions. Visiting several homes for Golus and Haldi-kumkum is a sweet tradition that the Indian Hindu community tries to follow so our traditions do get passed on to the younger generation even if it gets diluted. 

I had the pleasure of attending a soulful concert by Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar in Spring. I have been an avid follower of his music, and it's really generous of him to provide downloadable access to many of his compositions as well.  

A pristine moment for me, sharing a click with Pt. Sanjeev AbhyankarJi.
A down to earth person, truly dedicated to music, and delivers it with so much soul and bhaav of the raga, in his sweet voice. 

For the Navarathri festival, I wanted to chant a Durga Dhun composed in Raag Bibhas by SanjeevJi.
This powerful sloka is from Devi Mahaatmayam, chanted to invoke Goddess Narayani, and to bless us with protection and safeguard us from negative influences.

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Sarva-Manggala-Maanggalye Shive Sarvaartha-Saadhike |
Sharannye Tryambake Gauri Naaraayanni Namostu Te ||
Meaning:
Source of All Blessings, Auspicious One, She Who Is Refuge, She Who Has Three Eyes, Golden One, Bestower of All Wishes, Blessed of All Blessed Ones, I honor you, O Narayanee
Om and Salutations to Durga, that feminine energy which protects from all manner of negative influences

Let us all invoke the blessings of Goddess Narayani and Durga Devi by chanting this mantra.

Durga Chanting and Mantra by: swaravanshi
Mantra, dhun, inspired by Bibhas/Marwa version from Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar.

Ganpati Bappa Morya!

Happy Ganesh Chathurthi to one and all!

Wishing a very Happy Ganesh Chathurthi to all those who celebrate. May the Lord Vighna Vinayaka remove all obstacles in your paths and shower you with peace, happiness and prosperity.

Growing up in Mumbai, Ganpati festival has had a special significance to me.  Enjoying the day with Ganesh pooja performed by my father, lovely sweet and salty modaks (Vella Thengai and Kadalaparuppu kozhakattais) prepared by my mom, and visiting every possible Ganpati - Chembur, Dukes, Tilak Nagar, Matunga, Dadar, Siddhivinayak Mandir, Lalbaugcha Raja, GSB Seva Mandal in Kings Circle : this is a memory captured in the heart and etched in the mind of every true Mumbaikar.

That combined with listens of Aartis and Ganpati bhajans by Lata Mangeshkar makes it a memorable treat.

I would like to share with you my cover rendition of a traditional Marathi Aarti, popularised in Lataji's mellifluous sweet voice.  My musician friend, Adwait Ranade, has accompanied me for chorus and sloka chanting.  Thank you, Adwait. 


Sukhakarta Dukhaharta (harbinger of happiness and dispeller of distress), is a popular Marathi arati dedicated to the Hindu god Ganesha, composed by the saint Samarth Ramdas (1608 - 1682 CE).It is included in the "most standard and almost universal" arati songs sung at the end of Puja (worship rituals) of Ganesha in Maharashtra, especially in his festival Ganesh Chaturthi as well as in Ganesha temples in the region.
Ganpati Bappa Morya! Have a beautiful start to all your works!

Marathi Abhang : Ya Pandhariche Sukha 

Sorry for the long absence from my side on blogging and sharing my work.  

I lost my beloved father in January 2015. He was my solid rock and support for all my musical endeavors and experiments and always encouraged me with all my work. He was one of my most avid followers on the blogworld.

It is back to basics these days, as I have rekindled my love for Yaman, listening to stalwarts like Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Kishori Amonkar, Basavaraj Rajguru, and attending workshops in several Gharanas like Jaipur, Agra etc. 

Coming to today's share, My love for this Sant Eknath Abhang is immense.  I listened to KishoriTai Amonkar's rendition on a loop. 

Eknath was the grandson of Sant Bhanudas. Vitthal (Lord Vishnu who was established in Pandharpur, also known as Pandhari) was their family deity; Eknath also worshiped Vitthal from childhood. As Eknath was born in a family of saints he inherited bhakthi towards Vitthal from his family members. He learnt the sastras from his father till he was about 12. He then wanted to go to a Sadguru and learn sastras under him. Eknath wanted to get a good guru and prayed to Vitthal to guide him to one. Vitthobha then came in his dream and asked him to request Janardhana Swami to be his guru. Janadhana Swami was a great yogi; he had his ashram in a forest. Eknath felt that if he informs his parents they will not let him go and so one day went to Janardhana Swami’s ashram with out informing them. He joined the ashram and started serving his guru. He served his Sadguru for 12 years. 

He wrote many great poems in honor of Vitthal, and this is one such composition.

या पंढरीचे सुख पाहतां डोळां ।
उभा तो जिव्हाळा योगीयांचा ॥१॥

म्हणोनियां मन वेधलें चरणीं ।
आणिक त्यागुनी बुडी दिली ॥२॥

जनार्दनाचा एका धांवे लोटांगणीं ।
करी वोवाळणी शरीराची ॥३॥

Lyrics - Sant Eknath संत एकनाथ
Music - Kishori Amonkar किशोरी आमोणकर
Singer - Kishori Amonkar किशोरी आमोणकर
Presentation by - Swaravanshi

Please do visit my presentation of this Divine Pandhari Abhang, set in Yaman Kalyan, with its pristine composition by Kishori AmonkarTai.  
Taal is Drut Deepchandi - 14 beats.