Mani Iyer was singing at Mylapore Sannadhi St. A rickshaw puller was listening. Some one asked him '' vandi varumaa - Guindy poganum '' He replied ''enga venaalum polaam '' Iyer Mangalam padattum appuramaa''! That was his ''magnetic power''

Superb..... Kaa vaa vaa Ragam varali 39th Mela janya Adi Talam papanasam Sivan Krithi Humble Reminder of Madurai Mani Iyer who has made this song FamousInvocation. As a child one would remember listening with fascination to mother’s explanation of how God can be invoked into a Kalasha filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut. Once the invocation is done, the Kalasha is worshipped as the Goddess. ‘God is everywhere’ ‘but when we invoke His or Her presence, divine energy becomes concentrated in an idol or a symbolic representation like a Kalasha’. Likewise an idol carved by the hands of men comes to sit in an altar somewhere and transforms from stone to God. What causes the transformation? Invocation. Just invocation. Human beings have invoked the presence of God from time immemorial using ceremonies of all kinds. But finally it is just a simple call ‘Come’. Addressed to Lord Muruga, the poet-composer Papanasam Sivan says ‘Come and protect me’. He identifies the divinity he invokes by different descriptions but the repeated ‘vA vA’ are the words we hear the most in this song, ‘Come, Come’. Set to the beautiful raga Varali pallavI kA vA vA kanda vA vA Yennai kA vA vElavA (murugA vAkandA vA) pazhanimalaiyuraiyum murugA (vA vA) anupallavI devAdi dEvan maganE vA para dEvi maDiyil amarum guhanE vA vaLLi deivayAnai manavaLA (vA) sharavana bhava parama dayalA (shanmugA) charaNam aapath- iruLara aruloLi tarum appane annaLe ayya vA vA pApa tiraL tarum tApam agala varum pazhani valar karunai mazhayE vA vA tApatraya veyilara nizhal tarum vAntharuve yen kula guruvEe vaa sri padmanAban marugA rAma dAsan vanangum mutaiyA Oh Muruga, who lives in Pazhani malai, come to protect me. Come, O son of Shiva. Come, O Guha (the hidden one), who sits on Parvati’s lap. Come, O husband of Valli and Deivayanai. Come O Sharavana, the supremly kind being. Come, you who bestow light to remove the darkness of danger. Come, you who remove longing and sin, you the shower of kindness, who grew up in Pazhani. Come, you who give shade to protect me from the hot rays of intense longing, you who are the Guru of our community. Come, you who are the nephew of lord Vishnu, the one worshipped by Ramadasa, a gem like being. Raga Jhalavarali is the 39th Mela belonging to the 7th Music Chakra. The prefix ‘Jhala’ is added to the raga name in order to suit the katapayadi formula. It is the 4th in the list of 5 Ghana ragams Nata, Gaula, Arabhi and Sree being the other ghana ragas.Noticeably this is the only Ghana raga with Prati Madhyama. In Mind, Body and Soul Chakra - Chakra 7 is the Divine Chakra lined up with the heart and the throat chakras, enabling the higher spirit energies to work through ones voice and body. Therapeutically Varali is said to be good for Heart and Skin ailments and gastric problems. This raga is mentioned in many of the earlier texts in the names Varadi, Varati,Varali and Varatika and is said to be more than 1300 years old. It is with this name that it is referred in ancient lakshana grandhas like Sangeeta Makarandha and Sangeeta Ratnakara. It is also said that there was a place called as “Varata Desa” and this melody was prevalent there and hence the name Varati / Varali. According to Bharatha’s Natyasastra Varati is recommended in portraying rain, agitation, surprise etc. When it is adorned by dhaivata, it serves contentment, recollecting, concealing one’s feeling. The raga is also used to protray the rasa of Pranaya Viyoga or pangs of separation of lovers. Varali portrays both Karuna and Sringara Rasas. Now coming to the meaning of the term Varali. “Var” in Sanskrit means “to sound” and the term “ali” refers to Bee. So may be the meaning of Varali refers to “Sound/Hum of a Bee “. Varali is also known as Moon. After listening to Varali recordings quite a few times, I think the meaning “Sounds like a Bee” is very apt for the raga. Varali is an asymmetric raga due to the vakra prayoga and a vivadi ragam and the vivadi dosha is avoided by singing the arohana as SGRG which makes it a raga with vakra sampoorna (contains all 7 notes) in arohanam. “pUrNA varALI satatam ghIyatE sagrahAnvitA” The Sloka says that Varali has Purna Arohana-avarohana and can be sung at all times. The Graha Swaram is Shadjam. Its Arohana Avarohana structure is as follows: arohana : S G1 R1 G1 M2 P D1 N3 S avarohana : S N3 D1 P M2 G1 R1 S The notes taken are Shadjam, Suddha Rishabham, Suddha Gandharam, Prati Madhyamam, Panchamam, Suddha Dhaivatam and Kakali Nishadham. The raga has only one vivadi note and that is Suddha Gandharam. Gandharam in the raga is Suddha Gandharam which takes the place of Chathusruti Rishabham with a soft pull while played in veena. Suddha Gandhara which is slightly higher than Chathusruti Rishabham. Gandharam is a pleasant jeeva swaram in the raga. It can also be sounded as a pleading tone . As per Raga Nidhi of T.V.Subbu Rao, the Suddha Gandharam is higher in Arohanam and lower in Avarohanam. The Madhyamam used has a slightly higher frequency than the Prati Madhyamam, and is also called as Chyuta Panchama Madhyamam or Varali Madhyamam as it is popularly known. Varali’s Nishadam is termed as “Chyuta Shadja Nishadam” which is slightly higher than the regular Kakali Nishada. Though all 7 swaras are present in the raga, the notes G, M and N are the most important notes that brings out the raga swarupa. All the three come with their characteristic gamakas.

thank u., it takes me back to the year 1963 at ravindrabharathi,hyderabad, started the concert at 4.25pm. and ended at 11.45pm. with overflowing audiance spellbound with three thani. will we herar such concerts in life again? he is always great in his ownplace. none to replace him. thannks iam born in india. southindia, to listen such wonderful concert.

Time was when at an Agraharam in Tanjore district elders sit in front of their transistors to hear Madurai Mani Iyer during late hours in night enjoying music aired bv All India Radio. I cherish my childhood memory

That violin was scintillating. Of course, Madurai Mani Iyer sparkles as always.

I have heard MMI sing this great song live in Chennai in late 1950's. It made such an impression on me that when I hear this recording i can visualize Iyerval singing in the dais....What a great rendering for all times in this "varali' raga.

I have no knowledge of carnatic music nuances whatsoever, so, as a literal lay person who's just very fond of music, all I can say is every time I listen to this rendition, I have tears in my eyes... it just touches your soul... for sure, even Lord Muruga could not have resisted the call

Blessed are those that got to listen to MMI live.

I beg to differ. Those days the recordings were not having stereo effects. I have heard in person lot of this combination. Krishnan was always a good accompaniment and never try over perform the main artist.

i am lucky to ahve heard him sing thisand thaye yasoda in live at the perambur sangeetha sabha 1952-54??? the inimitable Mani sir with the great Krishnan sir and Sri PAlghat...

I may have been born in 1968, but the music voice, rendering and what not... no young singer these days can even come close to those diving rendering these great maestros gave those days... simply delightful and heavenly....

I keep coming back to this rendition like a moth to the flame -- wonderful piece. Thanks for uploading!

மகா கோடி கோடானு கோடி அற்புதமானக் குரல். வார்த்தைகளே உலகில் இல்லை புகழ்வதற்கு.

Wat a crystal clear voice ,devine voice, such a brief rendering ,first time I heard His concert , no unwanted expansion like our younger generation does , Nalinakanti , hamsananda , siva siva enarada ooh ,I was blessed , Ayya sharanum, sharanum

its divine....I have heard this song sung by so many but no one comes near to this legend... I wish i had heard his concert live....god bless..thanks all

Immaculate singing Genius of a musician Gods gift to the rasikas Thanks for uploading

Many thanks for uploading. Fantastic Varali. No one can match. He impressed young and old alike with his Mesmerizing Music. . Salutations to the Lotus feet of Ganakaladhara Sri Madurai Mani Aiyer.🙏🙏🙏🙏

Yes MMI was like that. He would not mind his accompanists over shine him and would actually applaud when they played something extraordinary. He was loved by people for his selfless attitude. For me he is no less than a YOGI. God sent people him MMI to go make people happy and come back soon.

என்னோட அப்பா என்னைத் தூக்கி வச்சிணடு இநதப் பாட்டுப் பாடவா. அற்புத நாட்கள்..

I just happened to stumble upon this piece and was blown away completely by it. I just started unearthing the treasures of carnatic classics. Can someone please guide me to other masterpieces by Mani Iyer

three maestros on one platform -------scintalating music results----kudos for sharing this with us-----padma

Seen some comments. TNK is superb. Plays exactly the same notes as that of MMI the Great. Have listened to accompanists like Lalgudi, Mysore Chowdiah, et al. MMI always gave space for all his accompanying players and never stopped encouraging them.

Fantastic I had the good fortune of attending quite a few of his concerts at Thanjavur and later in Calcutta. How soothing is his singing. Great vidwan. I wish he had lived a little longer.

Safe to say that this is the best violin piece ever played in the history!

Listening to Ganakaladharar' Live concert is my lifetime achievement. Salutations to the lotus feet of the Master.🙏🙏

I still remember my Grand Father used to listen and enjoy his renderings which were simply unique those days.

The repertoire kriti of Papanasam......So much of spirited rendition by the erstwhile maestro MMI ......Certainly for the music students to learn on the minute modulations....that are within Varali esp. in a Tamil composition. Charanam is the best ever .......Pranams to the great Soul.

“Respected Sri Semmangudi Sri Srinivasa Iyer avarGaL kuralin inimaiyaik kEtka kEtka nam uLLanGaL paravasam aagividum. Athu nichchayamE. KEttu maghizhavum. What a kind of beautiful singing!!! Amazing is a simple word to describe his singing. swarap prasthaaranGaL migavum pramaathamE aagum. KEttu maghizhavum. - “M.K.Subramanian.”

Excellent Varali raga kriti of Sri Papanasam Sivan from the legendary vidwan Shri Madurai Mani Iyer

MMI and TNK have nailed this one.. stunning!

ராகம் வராளி தாளம் ஆதி பல்லவி கா வாவா கந்தா வாவா எனைக் கா வா வேலா வா பழநிமலை யுறையு முரு (கா) அனுபல்லவி தேவாதிதேவன் மகனே வா - பர தேவி மடியி லமரும் குஹனே வா வள்ளி - தெய்வயானை மணவாளா வா - சர வணபவ பரமதயாள ஷண்மு (கா) சரணம் ஆபத்திருளற அருளொளி தரும் அப்பனே அண்ணலே ஐயா வா பாபத் திரள் தரும் தாபம் அகல வரும் பழநி வளர் கருணைமழையே வா தாப த்ரய வெயிலற நிழல்தரும் வான் தருவே என் குலகுருவே வா ஸ்ரீபத்மநாபன் மருகா ராமதாஸன் வணங்கும் முத்தய்யா விரைவொடு (கா

ALL TIME FAVORITE FROM THE LEGENDARY SINGER WHO HAS UNIQUE STYLE OF SINGING , GREAT ACCOMPANIMENTS

The greatest among singers,

mesmerizing music! Nobody does so many variations as Madurai Mani Iyer.

What a breathtaking performance.. Thanks a lot for uploading :)

Immaculate voice of Mani Iyer will ever remain in the minds of carnatic music lovers

The way mani iyer sings ka vaa VA krithi adds beauty to the raga which is already a Ghana ragaas enunciated by thyaga Brahmam.

such high quality violin accompaniment by tnk... legends... super duper... this song can just not be sung better by anyone!

When the above song was sung in AIR my mother stopped all the domestic. activities like cooking,house keeping etc and enjoyed the entire programme with great devotion. I remember those days & my mother

Superb,nostalgically remember how my mom used to listen to this song in taperecorder

blissful rendition by a great man

ULTIMATE BRILLIANCE ...

MADURAI MANI AIYYAR IS MY FAVOURITE SINGER.I ALWAYS ENJOY LISTENING HIS SONGS.

kaa vaa vaa kandaa vaa vaa ennai ka vaa vElavaa (shhanmugaa vaa vaa) pazhani malai urayum muruga vaa vaa anupallavi dEvaadi dEvan maganE vaa - para dEvi maDiyil amarum guhanE vaa - valli deyvayAnE manavALa vaa - sharavanabhava paramatha yaala (shhanmuga vaa vaa) caraNam aabataruLara aruL oli tarum pannai - annalay eeyya vaa paaba tiral tarum pabam-agala varum pazhanivalar karuNai mazhaiyE vaa tabatraya veyilara nizharal tarum vandaruvE en kula guruvE vaa shree padmanaabha marugaa vaa sharavanabhava muttayyaa vaa (kaa vaa vaa...)

eedu inayattra sangitham🙏🙏🙏🙏

really a great to hear such amazing voice,

Thanks for the insights. Its wonderful to be conversing with someone from MMI lineage.

MMI-TNK-VR is the dream team. Amazing final round of swaras by TNK.

What a Classic vidwan. He had the blessings of Sirguru Thiyagaraja .

Thanks for uploading Shri Mani iyer s master piece 🙏

Violin super b

MMI the Greatest Carnatic Singer ever...

Beautiful 👌👌🙏🙏Brings tears to my eyes.

superb. took me back to old days . thanks for up loading the song.

Just great . Transferred to those golden days. Vimla & Kumar

Muruga Dharisanam was given by these Great musicians! Om Saravana Bhava Guhane CharaNam!

Time cannot take away the melody of this voice

great even after so many decades

Divinity in varali, here and now for even an atheist like me, goosebumps several times over

what a presentation. Now I listen to it every night before I go to sleep

mani iyer legend in carnatic music...what can 26 year old man comment on him...he is simply awesome...

superb.evergreen.

supet mani Ayyar songs eppidum kettukondya irrukkalam my father avar fan

Greatest carnatic vocal artist.Saraswathi Stores Columbia recorded this Long Play records. .Presetely the copy right with Saregama ex HMV.

i am lucky to ahve heard him sing thisand thaye yasoda in live at the perambur sangeetha sabha 1952-54???

superb rendition by madurai Mani iyer

Completely mesmerized!

Awesome! Muruga Kumara Guha!

Thank you arun7328 for this vintage classic. It seems this song was specially enacted for SRI Madurai Mani Iyer the very high quality of blend outshining.

divine contribution to lord muruga/saravanabhava

Amazing rendering by MMI , 6:05 to 8:15 violin pure bliss

Most of you might have noticed the power of MMani's to evoke the musician in the violinist at 4.25.

Great presentation

awesome...tht is it...!`

Great wonderful Violin

Violinist went sublime!!!!

Excellent 👍

Superb!!!.......

The last swarakalpanaa was mind blowing

I have this tape. Extraordinary rendition of Ka Va Va.

super like...

excellent

Endharo Mahanubhavulu!!!

thank you

really super

🎉🎉

WOW!!!!!

superbly sung.

This is from a concert of MMI with TNK & Ramabhadran.There are some similarities in their toppi sounds as both keep its sruti at Mandhara stayi 'Ga' but Palani's gumki is unmatched and no other mridangist comes anywhere near it.Ramabhadran's sarvalagu is more of a repetitive and basic variety while Palani's is much more versatile.It is however a fact that VRB has imbibed some basic characteristics of playing mridangam from Palani

Great!!!

🙏🙏

Sir, Sorry i did not understand what you meant,so asked for a clarification. In any case your observation cannot be ruled out. I have seen this in a lot of his renditions.I have read a lot of articles and interviews and i tend to believe that they all used to enjoy this aspect of his concerts this includes the accompanists too. He gave complete freedom to them. If you have not please also hear his adamodigale in youtube.Its about 39 min. Mind blowing. Beware don't comment on the video.lol :).

a unique vocal style

To sreevals: Sri Madurai Mani Iyer was not like that at all. His accompanists, no matter how great, never intimidated him, and he never worried about their outshining him, because he was in a class all by himself. My guru (Sri T N Bala) told me that when Sri MMI had a concert, all other concerts would be either cancelled or postponed because they knew where most of the rasikas would go. (Sri MMI was my guru's guru). Yesh Prabhu, Bushkill, Pennsylvania

Lyrics for this song are by Papanasam Sivan -- called Tamil Thyagaraja, not without reason. While most of Sivan's compositions are on Lord Siva, his favorite deity, this one is dedicated to Lord Murugan, in an intimate pleasing way. If Papanasam Sivan's compositions are great, Madurai Mani took them to even greater heights such that the two legends live on, breathing through their songs, giving them a life of their own.

உங்களுக்கு கோடிப் புண்ணியம். எங்க அப்பாக்கு ரொமபப் பிடித்த பாட்டு.

The Mridangist is Palani Subramania Pillai--note the "Thoppi" (the RH side for Palani Sir) is unique for PSP--not Vellore Ramabhadran

Thanks for the insight Arun. Regarding comment abt youth - I didnt meant to give the impression that you can do well only when you are young. My own experience is to the contrary :-) But you can sense a raw creative energy & desire to exceed ones capabilities from the accompanists in this recording. May be the ethereal environment MMI has created inspired everyone. Or may be it was a function of them being young & energetic & ambitious - Just a thought, nothing more :-)

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Hey, The photo on left bottom is at Trichy Nandrudayan Koil on 11-09-1956 with sundaresa Iyer, Palani Subramaniya Pillai and Alumgudy Ramachandran. If you watch it closely, on the front row, Alathur brothers sit and listen.. They performed on the previous day with Palghat Mani Iyer and the same violinist..