#11 (Thyagaraja) Saint's Second Marriage Comments

The saint's devotion to his daughter is touching. A finely written piece. As always, you take me to a different world.10/10. Kind regards, Sandra

Historically speaking, Ragam Mohanam is perhaps the oldest ragam known to mankind. Dr. S. Ramanathan's doctoral dissertation on the music in shilappadikaram mentions that it is one of the most ancient paNNs Notes figuring in mOhanam are the earliest notes met in the cycle of fifths (sa – pa series) , that is, sa – pa; pa – ri; ri – dha; dha –ga. This pentatonic scale is, therefore, found in the music of various nations, including primitive tribes. Ancient Chinese, Japanese, Hungarian, Swedish, and gypsy music all have traces of Mohanam. Compositions of all types, heavy, as well as light, exist in this ragam. Most composers have contributed generously to mohanam. Among the trinity, Muttusvami DIksitar has six k.rtis, and all of them bear the raga mudra for mohanam (an easy and captivating phrase!) . The kruti “gopika manoharam” attributed to DIksitar, has been viewed as a spurious kruti. Saint Thyagaraja has 11 compositions, that include the immortal classic, “nanu palimpa”. Strangely, we do not have any composition in mohanam by shyama shAstri. Papanasham shivan’s “kapali”, Mysore Vasudevacariar’s “ra ra rajIvalocana”, and Arunacala kavi’s “Aen palli kondeeraiyaa” are some of the popular compositions that depict the grandeur of mohanam. There are plenty of Thevaram, and Thiruvacakam songs in this ragam. The 16th day (Maargazhi maadham) rendition of the Thiruppavai verse, “nayakanay ninra nandagopan” is sung in mohanam. The cine world has also contributed large number of film songs in mohanam. -------------------------- The beauty of this song is the mala (garland) dancing all along; this could imply that The Almighty came running to see His devotee i believe that if there is love God visits them wherever they are God Bless you sir for giving this nice piece