Indian Carnatic Classical Music. Part 2

I am sorry that for a long time I was unable to submit any more lessons. I'll make for lost time now. The song I am about to teach here is written in the typical manner in which Indian Classical songs are written. So this should help you in note reading as well.

Now, in the song, the R S M etc... Represent the note to be played. If you have read my previous lesson, you will know which note repesents what. The avroham and the aroham are given at the start. I have also included the lyrics and broken them up with the notes. I have also included an accurate transalation. Good luck!

(Pallavi, anupallavi etc... Are basically verse, chorus, bridge, etc... You'll know what is what while playing. _ represents an extended note. | represent the end of a measure.)
Ragam: Malahari (15th Melakartha Janyam)

ARO: S R1 M1 PD1 S ||
AVA: S D1 PM1 G2 R1 S ||

Talam: Triputa (Chathurasra Jathi) that's the beats. Ask a tabla player to play it if possible.
Composer: Purandara Dasa
Meaning: Courtesy, Dr. Aruna Turaga


Meaning: (by Dr. Aruna Turaga, CA)

In this geetham, Purandara dasa describes the various names by which the god Vishnu is called.

I pray to thee who possess a lotus in his navel (“paduma nabha”), the greatest of the men (“parama purusha”), the personification of eternal flame (“paramjyothi swarupa”) of life, the destroyer (“vandhya”) of adversity (“vidhura”), whose stories (“charitha”) are the illustrations of purity (“vimala”), is perched (“adhirohana”) on the prodigious bird Garuda (“vihanga”), dwells (“nivasa”) in the mighty ocean (“udhadhi”), reposes (“sayana”) on the powerful serpent Aadiseshu (“uraga”), is capable of miracles (“mahima”) which are greater than the greatest (“unnathonnatha”), is the greatest one of the yadava race (“yadukulothama”), Krishna, and as Rama, he had protected (“rakshaka”) the yagnya of the great maharshi Vishwamitra, had also preached (“sikshaka”) the importance of obeying the command (“Agnya”) of his parent, Dasaratha.

I worship thee who were the custodian of Vibhishana, the pious brother of the demon king Ravana. I praise thee who bestow (“vara daayaka”) everything on his followers (“vibhow”).

He endows all the good fortunes (“subha prada”), and fulfils all the sanguine aspirations (“su manorathaya”). He is our noble king (“surendra”) and he engages our spirit with cheerfulness (“mano ranjana”) and he is Rama, the lord of Purandara dasa.

Arohanam : S R1 M1 PD1 S Avarohanam: S D1 PM1 G2 R1 S

Pallavi:

Padumanaabha Parama Purushaa Param Jyoti Swaroopaa
Vidhura Vandya Vimala Charita Vihanga Adirohana

I pray to thee who possess a lotus in his navel (“paduma nabha”), the greatest of the men (“parama purusha")...


R S d | S - | S - ||
M G R | M M | P - ||
Pa du ma | na - | bha - ||
pa ra ma | pu ru | sha - ||

... the personification of eternal flame (“paramjyothi swarupa”) of life ..

S D D | D P | M P ||
D D P | M G | R S ||
Pa ram - | jo - | - thi ||
swa ru - | pa - | - - ||

... the destroyer (“vandhya”) of adversity (“vidhura”) ...
... whose stories (“charitha”) are the illustrations of purity (“vimala”)...

R S d | S - | S - ||
M G R | M M | P - ||
Vi du ra | van - | dhia - ||
vi ma la | cha ri | tha - ||

He is perched (“adhirohana”) on the prodigious bird Garuda (“vihanga”)..

S D D | D P | M P ||
D D P | M G | R S ||
Vi hang - | ga - | - di ||
ro - ha | na - | - - ||

Anupallavi:

Udadhi Nivaasa Uraga Shayana Unnatonnata Mahima
Yadukulottama Yagnya Rakshaka Yagnya Shikshaka Raama Naama

He dwells (“nivasa”) in the mighty ocean (“udhadhi”), reposes (“sayana”) on the powerful serpent Aadiseshu (“uraga”),...


P M P | D S | D S ||
R S D | D S | D P ||
U dha dhi | ni va | - sa ||
u ra ga | sa ya | - na ||

... He is capable of miracles (“mahima”) which are greater than the greatest (“unnathonnatha”),...

D D P | P - | P M ||
R M M | P - | P - ||
U - nna | tho - | nna tha ||
ma hi - | ma - | - - ||

He is the greatest one of the yadava race (“yadukulothama”), Krishna, and as Rama, he had protected (“rakshaka”) the yagnya of the great maharshi Vishwamitra,

D D P | P - | P M ||
R - M | M G | R S ||
Ya du ku | lo - | ttha ma ||
ye - gna | ra - | kshaka ||

He had also preached (“sikshaka”) the importance of obeying the command (“Agnya”) of his parent, Dasaratha.

S - S | D D | D P ||
P - P | M G | R S ||
A - gna | si - | ksha ka ||
ra - ma | na - | - ma ||
(Paduma)

Charanam:
Vibheeshana Paalaka Namo Namo Ibha Varadaayaka Namo Namo
Shubha Prada Sumanorada Surendra Manoranjanaa Abhinava
Purandara Vithala Bhallare Raama Naama


I worship thee ("namo namo") who were the custodian ("paalaka") of Vibhishana, the pious brother of the demon king Ravana.

D S - | D P | M P ||
D D P | M G | R S ||
Vi bhee - | sha na | pa - ||
la ka - | na mo | na mo ||

I praise thee ("namo namo") who bestow (“vara daayaka”) everything on his followers (“vibhow”).

D S - | D P | M P ||
D D P | M G | R S ||
I bha - | va ra | da - ||
ya ka - | na mo | na mo ||

He endows all the good fortunes (“subha prada”), and fulfils all the sanguine aspirations (“su manorathaya”).

P M P | D S | D S ||
R S D | D S | D P ||
Su bha - | Pra da | Su ma ||
no - ra | da - | - Su ||

He is our noble king (“su-rendra”) and he engages our spirit ("abhinava") with cheerfulness (“mano ranjana”)

D D P | P - | P M ||
R - M | P - | - - ||
Re - ndra | Ma - | no - ||
ran - ja | na - | - - ||

... and he is Rama, the lord ("bhallare") of Purandara dasa.

D D P | P - | P M ||
R - M | M G | R S ||
A bhi - | na - | va pu ||
ran - da | ra - | - vi ||

S - S | D D | D P ||
P - P | M G | R S ||
tal - la | bhal - | la re ||
ra - ma | na - | - ma ||

from :Ultimate Guitar