Swathi, Volume 1 – Navarathna Malika
Maharaja Swathi Tirunal Rama Varma, the erstwhile ruler of the princely state of Travancore, besides making a mark as a good administrator also excelled as a scholar and musician. He was also a poet par excellence. A majority of his musical compositions are Kirtanas in praise of Lord Sri Padmanabha, whose divine grace is believed to be prevailing on Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. He has also composed music for dance like Swarajatis, Varnas, Tilanas and Padams. Swathi Tirunal gave Mohiniyattam, the classical female dance-tradition of Kerala, a new dimension through specially written padams (lyrics) which later became popular as Swatipadams. Swatipadams are noted for their bhava (emotion) and literary beauty.
Sangeeta Bharathi has produced Swathi a package of six Audio CDs of Swathipadams, song of which have been sung by Prof. Dr. K. Omanakutty and her disciples. Culture Vistas Marketing Services Pvt. Ltd., the sister concern of Invis Multimedia, undertakes the marketing of Swathi.
Dr. Omanakutty
Dr. Omanakutty hails from a family of musicians. Her father, Malabar Gopalan Nair was a gifted musician and mother was a disciple of Muthiah Bhagavatar. Initiated into the world of music by her father, Dr. Omanakutty learnt music under Mavelikkara Prabhakara Varma. She was also fortunate enough to have learnt Carnatic music from the great Shemmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and G. M. Balasubramanian. At the academic level, after graduation in science, Dr. Omanakutty did Gana Praveena, a course in music at the Sri Swathi Thirunal Music Academy. She also took M.A. and Phd. in Music from the Kerala University.
Following the Gana Praveena course in music, Dr. Omanakutty started her career as lecturer in music at the Government Women’s College in Thiruvananthapuram. She retired from her teaching profession as the Professor and Head of the Department of Music, Kerala University in 2003.
Dr. Omanakutty has been honoured on many occasions. Some of these include the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi Award (1997), Madras Music Academy Award for Senior Performing Artist (for the years 1996 and 1997) and Best Singer Award by Gayan Samaj Bangalore (2005). She has also authored many books and produced CDs on Music. She is the founder Director of Sangeeta Bharati at Thycaud, Thiruvananthapauram. She is also the Prof. of Music Therapy, Pankaja Kasthuri Ayurveda Medical College, Thiruvananthapauram. Apart from teaching, she regularly gives concerts also.
Navarthna Malika the first volume of Swathi has the following kritis
1.Bhavatheeya (Sravanam) – Bhairavi – Adi
2.Thavaka (Keerthanam) – Kedaragowla – Rupakam
3.Sathatham (Smaranam) – Neelambari – Chapu
4.Pankajaksha (Padhasevanam) – Thodi – Rupakam
5.Aradhayami (Archanam) – Bilahari – Jhampa
6.Vandedeva (Vandanam) – Begada – Rupakam
7.Paramapurusha (Dasyam) – Ahiri – Chapu
8.Bhavathi (Sakhyam) – Mukhari – Chapu
9.Deva Deva (Athmanivedanam) – Nadhanamakriya – Rupakam
Tags: swathi, swathipadam, swathitirunal, omanakutty, navarathna malika, kirtanas
Books
CD-ROM
