Ragam Sri - by Sri. Hemadri Chandrakant

Shree ragam is an ancient ragam in the Carnatic tradition. It is also written as Sri or Shri. This scale is a janya rāgam (derived scale), as it does not have all the seven swaras (musical notes) in the ascending scale. 

Shree is a janya rāgam of Kharaharapriya, the 22nd Melakarta rāgam. 

It is the last of the 5 Ghana rāgams of Carnatic music. 

It is a pleasing and popular rāgam. It is considered to be highly auspicious.

    Our trinity used this raga in different styles without disturbing the original scales. 

The original scale of this raaga is (Sa re ma pa ne sa sa ne pa da ne pa ma re ga re sa)... 

so we all know about arohana and Avarohana....
 

In trinity, sadguru Sri Tyagayya used this raagam very widely. We all know endaromahanubhavulu the wonderful composition and also last pancharatna. 

In that composition tyagayya did not use the PA DA NE prayogam in the whole compostion.. And another composition NAMAKUSUMAMULA in that also same... 

pa da ne is a aporva proyogam in shree raaga but Tyagaraja never use that proyogam and attains raaga bhava..
           

Another famous composer second in trinity Sri muttuswamy deekshitar... 

He is king in to use raaga bhava.. SRI VARALAKSHMI is a beautiful composition by deekshitar in same shree raga.. But he uses the raaga with pa da ne proyogam very well... In charanam we get that pa da ne prayogam Sravana pournami. And also in navavarana kruthi Sree kamalambike.... 

           When we observed compositions of Shri Shyamasastry last in trinity he also uses the pa da ne proyogam very rarely. In the composition karunajudu last sangati of pallavi we get that prayogam. ...

              

So we have different styles simply said BANI in same raaga with out disturbing the scales.. when we listened to other compositions by different composers like papanasanam sivan, karurdevuduiyer (swami ninne kori varnam).......
      
            So I observed that tyagayya has a unique style to establish this shree raaga.....

      

Hemadri Chandrakanth.

Music is the Universal Language

"Music" - who is not aware of this word? Right from a mother's lullaby to  a music maestro's  hum... Right from the sounds of rhythmic wind to the sounds of sprinkling rainy water....Any sound which is pleasing and rhythmic to hear is music!!

"Language" - In simple terms it is a mode of expression of emotions, views, thoughts of all the living beings on the earth. It need not be only a verbal (spoken or  written) form but can also be a non verbal (sign language) form of expression. 

"Universal Language" - One of the dictionary meanings of this term is: Any kind of expression that is used and understood everywhere.

Every thing in the world expresses in its own way. It depends on ourselves to keenly observe, understand and perceive. Not only visual signs speak but also audio/sound signs speak. The horn of a vehicle, a school bell, the tic tock of a clock ...what not, everything speaks. Human mind can create wonders, no doubt!!

All the nava rasAs can be expressed through musical sounds. If we keenly observe the background music in any film or any visual program, the viewer first understands the situation in tune with the music... Might be for romance, comedy, fear or happiness.. Best example is the background score of news channels' breaking news item :-p Not necessary to know the meanings of the dialogues!

Emotions can easily be expressed through music. Need not be a lyrical composition, just the play of musical notes express emotions. In fact it's a strongest way to express. Thus music is set to tune with the lyrical expression and sometimes perfect lyrics set in the expression of tuned music. 

I feel lyrics helps in understanding and perceiving the true expression or emotion of a composer whereas in a non lyrical composition,  to some extent the true emotion can be perceived and on the other hand it entirely depends on the emotional status, perception and imagination of the listener.

Thus I opine - Yes, Music is the Universal Language !!! The language of the World !!! The language of God !!!

- Lakshmi Surya Teja (Sudarshini)