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Showing posts from 2014

Passing of a Legend

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The passing away of Carlo Bergonzi recently, marks the end of an era in Opera. One of the foremost Verdian tenors of the 20th century, Bergonzi will always be remembered and admired for his velvety timbre, impeccable taste, unsurpassed lyricism. Bergonzi's musicianship was exemplary, a master of technique and taste. Listening to Bergonzi sing, is like attending a masterclass in voice production, breath control, legato, colouring, one could go on and on... While Bergonzi's interpretation of lyrical roles was the gold standard for many, including Edgardo (Lucia), Riccardo (Un Ballo), both Rodolfos (Boheme and Luisa Miller), Alfredo (Traviata), Pinkerton (Butterfly) and others, he still had the heft for successfully essaying heavier roles like Radames (Aida), Manrico (Trovatore). Bergonzi was an exponent of the old-school "stand-and-deliver" style, with minimal emphasis on acting, preferring to act through his voice, with finely chiseled detail in his interp

Sri Varalakshmi - Kriti for Varalakshmi Vratha

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Sri Varalaksmi is a brilliant Kriti of Dikshitar that describes the importance of Varalakshmi Puja that happens on the Full moon day of Shraavan month, on. Friday to usher in the grace of the goddess of fortune Varalakshmi. I have rendered the piece in Sri raga with a video. Do listen, watch, enjoy and share the joy. - love, Charulatha Mani

Thyagaraja's Pancharathna Krithis

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MP3 Downloads available at:

A Raga's Journey with Charulatha Mani - New Videos in English

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  A Raga's Journey (English) - Raga Hamsanandi (Part 1) Charulatha Mani 12:56   A Raga's Journey (English)- Raga Hamsanandi (Part 2) Charulatha Mani 11:49   A Raga's Journey (English) - Raga Mukhari (Part 1) Charulatha Mani 12:27   A Raga's Journey (English) - Raga Mukhari (Part 2) Charulatha Mani 14:33   A Raga's Journey (English) - Raga Tilang in Film Music Charulatha Mani 6:30   A Raga's Journey (English)- Raga Tilang in Classical Music Charulatha Mani 12:22

Oslo - Geiranger Trip

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Had an awesome vacation at Oslo and Geiranger in Norway with my husband. Thanks to my Norwegian friends Nalayani and Mohan for making our trip most enjoyable!

Kannukkul Pothivaippen Official Full Video Song

My latest movie song, based on ragas Mukhari and Hamirkalyani Movie: Thirumanam Enum Nikkah Starcast: Jai, Nazriya Nazim Director: Anis Composer: Ghibran Singer: Charulatha Mani, Vijay Prakash, Sadhana Sargam, , Dr.R.Ganesh Lyricist: Parvathy Producer: Aascar Ravichandran Banner: Aascar Films Pvt Ltd Label: Think Music Raga Mukhari in Carnatic and Film Music:

A Raga's Journey - New Videos in English

Continuing where "Isai Payanam" left off, a new series of videos in English are coming out on my YouTube channel: A Raga's Journey -  Raga Mukhari in Carnatic Music: Related blog on Raga Mukhari: http://charulathamani.blogspot.in/2013/01/notes-of-peace-raga-mukhari.html Upcoming videos: Raga Mukhari in Film Music Raga Hamsanandi Raga Kambhoji Raga Tilang Bookmark the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0IoH26Ut8bIitglEs2Nzq9aRW8h-9nTt

Learn Ragas with Charulatha Mani - Raga Mohanam

Learn Ragas with Charulatha Mani by SuperAudio Learn Ragas is a musical insight into certain important and typical ragas of Carnatic Music. Classical Musician Charulatha Mani, popular Carnatic Vocalist, is acknowledged world over as an expert on Ragas. In this video in her own lively and melodious style she outlines the salient features of the raga with the right grammar to put learners on the right track, shares with us well-known compositions in the raga as well as presents a piece in full to bring out the complete joy in this effort. Students and music lovers will love this offering for its simplicity, and user-friendly presentation. This video is completely in lucid English which makes it appealing to a wide spectrum of music lovers. DVD available at: www.rhythmhouse.in www.shopmania.in

Soothing the Senses - Raga Nilambari

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http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/soothing-the-senses/article5843142.ece Download the PDF Raga Nilambari: Audio Clips: Brovavamma - Nilambari - Syama Sastry Maninoopura dhaari - Nilambari -  Oothukkaadu VenkaTasubbaiyyar Gomathi Ambal kriti - Himagiri tanaye - Nilambari -  Coimbatore Kunjammal and Charulatha Mani Full list of Sri Gomathi Ambal kritis Raga Nilambari in Film Music: Also, in "A Raga's Journey": Atana for Inspiring Valour Full of surprises - Ragas Vasantabhairavi and Begada Soothing the Senses - Raga Nilambari A Rare Treat - Raga Saramati Morning Ragas - Ramapriya and Rishabhapriya Pious Notes - Ragas Nasikabhushani and Vagadeeshwari Priya Principle - Ragas Rasikapriya and Ratipatipriya Versatile Nattai Positively Tranquil - Raga Harikambhoji Catchy and Classical - Raga Sankarabharanam Of Love and Longing - Chandrakauns and Surya Godly Gowrimanohari Kedaragowla’s Many Moods The Royal Durbar Joy of Hamirkalyani Power of Three

Thozhi Magazine - March 2014

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Bhairavi Swarajati - Amba Kamakshi

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Creating this recording and the video was a spiritual experience for me. Raga Bhairavi has magical powers and envelopes the soul. This kriti "Amba Kamakshi" was composed on the goddess at Kanchi "Kamakshi" by the great Shyama Sastri. This kriti is a call of the child's soul to the divine mother "Amba". Each and every person can relate to this call to the divine, this I truly believe. I dedicate this video and kriti to Kanchi Kamakshi Ambal, Sri Mahaperiyava and Shyama Sastri. I also recall with fond love my guru Late Smt Savitri Saytamurthy who painstakingly taught me this piece "Amba Kamakshi" and many other precious gems in music.  More on Raga Bhairavi: Raga Bhairavi - SoundCloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/charulathamani/sets/raga-bhairavi A Raga's Journey - Bewitching Bhairavi: http://charulathamani.blogspot.in/2012/07/ragas-journey-bewitching-bhairavi.html

Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaaru 2013 - Concert Audio and Video

Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaaru 2013 - Star Vijay TV: Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaaru 2013 - MP3 Clips: Related Content: Power of Three - Ragas Madhyamavati, Brindavanasaranga, Brindavani

A Rare Treat - Raga Saramati

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http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-rare-treat/article5688935.ece Download the PDF Raga Saramati in Classical Music: Raga Saramati in Film Music: Audio Clips: Mokshamu galada - Saramati - Thyagaraja Isai Payanam at Kartik Fine Arts 2010 - Raga Saramati Arulavendum - Saramati - M.M. Dandapani Desikar Ragam Tanam Pallavi - Saramati Film Songs in Raga Saramati:       Also, in "A Raga's Journey": Full of surprises - Ragas Vasantabhairavi and Begada Soothing the Senses - Raga Nilambari A Rare Treat - Raga Saramati Morning Ragas - Ramapriya and Rishabhapriya Pious Notes - Ragas Nasikabhushani and Vagadeeshwari Priya Principle - Ragas Rasikapriya and Ratipatipriya Versatile Nattai Positively Tranquil - Raga Harikambhoji Catchy and Classical - Raga Sankarabharanam Of Love and Longing - Chandrakauns and Surya Godly Gowrimanohari Kedaragowla’s Many Moods The Royal Durbar Joy of Hamirkalyani Power of Three - Ragas Madhyamavati, Br