Nadopasana 2023

“Nadopasana” means devotion or worship (upasana) through music (nada). Great composers of Carnatic music, such as Thyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshithar, Shyama Sastri, Purandaradasa, Annamacharya, to name a few, were devout practitioners of Nadopasana. The tradition passed along by them has led many musicians, composers and teachers to revere music as the way of devotion to God.

In that tradition, Guru Krupa School of Music focuses on inculcating the love of learning and appreciating Carnatic Music as a way of devotion. This annual recital - Nadopasana gives the opportunity for the adults and next-generation kids learning music to reflect upon some of these profound thoughts and delve into the mystic essence of music.

Smt. Bharathi Hariharan – Carnatic Vocal Teacher

Smt. Bharathi Hariharan is a Carnatic Vocal teacher based in Maryland, USA. She formally learnt Carnatic music from her mother Smt. Anuradha Shiva, who also trained her in Veena and Vazhuvoor bani of Bharatanatyam. She founded the Guru Krupa School of Music with a passion to inculcate Indian culture among next-generation kids and adults. She has been teaching carnatic music to kids and adults alike for more than 10 years in the US and for over 10 years in India. She is also passionate about teaching shlokas and has been an actively offering in-person shloka classes for kids and online shloka classes for adults. She has a doctorate degree in Physics and is currently serving as Professor at Howard Community College, Maryland.

Mridangist – Krishna Sridhar

Krishna Sridhar is from Buffalo, New York. He first started learning mirudhangam in the Karaikudi Mani sir School under Sri Vijayan Bhaskar at the age of 7. He continued his tutelage from Sri Nanganallur R. Sriram. He currently learns advanced techniques from Sri S.J. Arjun Ganesh. Krishna is currently a Junior at Indiana University Bloomington and a student of Dr. R. Ranganji for Sama Veda and Sanskrit Paatam.

Violinist – Samkari Dandibhotla

Samkari is a sophomore at John Champe High School in Loudoun, VA. She had her initial vocal training from her mother Smt. Lavanya Ghantasala. She has been learning violin from Sri Subash Vinjamuri for the past 6 years. She has performed at various concerts in the DC metro area.

Ramadevi Ravindran - Dancer

“Adal kalaimani” “Nattuvanga Visharatha” Dr.Ramadevi Ravindran is the founder and artistic director of Kalai koodam USA, school of classical dance, which mainly focuses on Bharatanatyam. Dr. Ramadevi started her dance journey from the very tender age and trained in Tanjavur and Vazhoovur bani under Guru Srinivasan, kalaimamani Smt Jayalakshmi Arunachalam Pillai, Kalaimamani Smt chandra Dhandayuthapani Pillai, Kalaimamani Smt Indra Rajen and kalaimamani Natana Sigamani. She’s been teaching and performing in the USA for past 10 years. She also performs and teaches internationally.

Students of Kalai koodam USA - Dancers

Students of Kalai koodam USA, who are also learning music at Guru Krupa School of Music will be dancing for select songs in Nadopasana 2023.

Akshaya Ganesan is a freshman at Urbana High School. She has been learning dance for 7 years.

Sathya Krishnan is a Junior at Urbana High School. She has been learning dance for 8 years.

Subanya Saravana Bhava is a Kindergartener at Green Valley Elementary School. She has been learning dance for the past 2 years.

Tharani Vaidyanatha Chetti is a pre-med graduate and is currently working in Urgent Care Center. She is multilingual and has been learning and performing Bharathnatyam for the past 19 years.

List of Performance

Varnam

Ragam: Nattai
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Patnam Subramania Iyer

Varnam is the beginning item of a recital and consists of very basic, simple lyrics which are used to explore the entire range of a raga. In Sanskrit varna means 'color,' hence the performer attempts to gradually reveal the many hues and characteristics of the raga. It serves as a comprehensive vocal exercise, honing the singer's agility, range, and control, while also imparting essential skills in expression and improvisation. Through rigorous practice of varnams, singers develop a strong foundation in the art of Carnatic music. This particular varnam is in the raga Nattai, which is considered as an auspicious raga to begin the recital.
Performers: Abirami Thyagarajan, Keerthika Ramakrishnan, Sharanyaa Anand.

Maha Ganapathim

Ragam: Nattai
Thalam: Ekam
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar

This song prays to Mahaganapathy, the one who is worshipped by great sages such as Vashishta and Vamadeva. He is the son of the Great Lord Shiva and always adored by 'Guruguha', Lord Skanda. He is the embodiment of peace and tranquility.

Performers: Abirami Thyagarajan, Keerthika Ramakrishnan, Sharanyaa Anand -- Bragadeesh Balasubramanian, Hariharan Krishnaswami, Sankarasubramanian Ganapathy, Srikanth Pydimarry.

Sri Gananatha

Ragam: Malahari
Thalam: Rupakam
Composer: Purandara Dasa

This song is in praise of Ganantha or Vinayaka, who is the lord of the pramadha ganas, hence this name. This geetham is the first one in the series of piLLari geetams by Sri Purandara Dasa. The meaning of the geetham is Oh! Lord of all things, red in color, who is ocean in mercy, having a big stomach. Oh! son of Parvathi, you are worshipped by all. Siddhas and Charanas offer worship to you, without you ashta sidhis are impossible. You are worshipped at the beginning of all arts. My pranams to you who is superior to all Gods.

Performers: Advika Prakash, Arjun Govindool, Eesha Bhavaraju, Pranay Swaminathan, Sahana Swaminathan, Uma Bhavaraju.

Varaleela gana lola

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Ekam
Composer: Thyagaraja.

The song Vara Leela Gana Lola is in praise of Lord Maha Vishnu, where the composer Thygaraja describes him as the lord of sports (leela), the one who enjoys music (gaana lola), the one who protects all beings, as he is the ocean of mercy. The song is a masterful fusion of rhythm and lyrics. The intricate rhythm and poetic meter in this song uses a different syllable to rhyme in each stanza. It also conveys several stories that relate to the Rama and Krishna avatars of Lord Maha Vishnu.

Performers: Advika Prakash, Arjun Govindool, Eesha Bhavaraju, Pranay Swaminathan, Sahana Swaminathan, Uma Bhavaraju -- Lahari Devulapalli-- Arush Manduva, Anwitha Manduva.

Sarasa Netra

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Thyagaraja.

This song is the simple and cute song composed by Thygaraja in western style. This song calls out to Rama as the Lotus Eyed one! Lord of abundant virtues! Lord who protected the gajendra – the elephant! Who is the wind that blows away the clouds of multitudes of sins! The protector of the ignorant! The beloved of lakshmi!

Performers: Akira Singam, Chidroopa Marthi, Chyavan Marthi, Gauri Reka, Meenakshi Billa.

Varashiva Baalam

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar.

This song is in praise of Subramanya as the son of Shiva, the beloved of Valli, the infinite one, bestower of bliss to Yogis known as Hamsas, the one with a smiling face, the one embodied as Guruguha.

Performers: Akira Singam, Chidroopa Marthi, Chyavan Marthi, Gauri Reka, Meenakshi Billa -- Dithya Mandava -- Tejas Anand -- Varenya Vinjamuri.

Vinayaka - Bhajan

Ragam: Nattai
Thalam: Adi.
This bhajan is in praise of lord Vinayaka – the supreme head and the remover of all obstacles. He is the beloved son of Shambhu (Shiva) and Shankari (Parvati). He is that bala (little) Ganapathi, who is generous is bestowing the boons of his devotees. To that Ganapathi, I bow at his feet.

Performers: Nishan Rajavasireddy, Paviksha Mandumula, Smaya Guntupally, Subanya Saravana Bhava, Vedasri Ponnuru.

Atma Nivasi Ram - Bhajan

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Adi.

This bhajan is in praise of lord rama, addressing him as the one who resides in our heart! The celebrated prince in Ayodhya! The beloved husband of Seetha! The one constantly worshipped by Hanuman! and the one who destroyed the evil Ravana.

Performers: Nishan Rajavasireddy, Paviksha Mandumula, Smaya Guntupally, Subanya Saravana Bhava, Vedasri Ponnuru.

Shyamale Meenakshi

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar.

This nottuswaram is in praise of Meenakshi of Madurai, the consort of Sundareshwara. She is Shankari, the mother of Guruguha! She is Shive, the wife of Shiva! The auspicious lotus-eyed one! The one praised by Brahma, Saraswathi, Vishnu and Lakshmi!

Performers: Aadhya Chipinapi, Shruthi Buddan Ramesh, Varuni Vijai Ganesh, Vinirvi Ambala -- Ananya R Kambam, Shashank Dasara, Sisira Bellamkonda, Sri Savik Boddepalli, Sreshta Velamuri.

Somaaskandam

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar.

The song Somaskandam, is in praise of the specific form of Shiva along with Parvathi Devi and infant Skanda (Lord Mururga). It describes Somaskandar (Shiva) in his handsome form, dressed in wedding finery, the one who bears the ganga and moon on his head.

Performers: Aadhya Chipinapi, Shruthi Buddan Ramesh, Varuni Vijai Ganesh, Vinirvi Ambala -- Dithya Mandava -- Arush Manduva, Anwitha Manduva.

Kamalasana

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Ekam
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar.

This nottuswaram is in praise of Neelothpalambika of Tiruvaroor. She is the one, whose lotus feet are worshipped by the lotus-seated(Brahma)! One who grants empires with her lovely hands! One who upholds this universe by the glances of your lotus eyes! One who is the cause of illusion! One whose face outshines the lotus and the moon! And the most auspicious one!

Performers: Anika Palusa, Eshaan Dasa, Sai Janani Mani, Samrita Krishnanand, Srivatsav Ponnuru, Vidyut Vijay -- Tejas Anand.

Vande Meenakshi

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar.

This nottuswaram is in praise of Meenakshi! The lotus–faced one! Addressed as Aparna, Durga! The one with no attachments! The protector of Guruguha! The one with lotus-like feet! The one who brings joy to Sundara Pandya (Shiva)! The embodiment of illusion! The sister of Sundararaja (Vishnu)!

Performers: Anika Palusa, Eshaan Dasa, Sai Janani Mani, Samrita Krishnanand, Srivatsav Ponnuru, Vidyut Vijay -- Tejas Anand -- Varenya Vinjamuri.

Ramajanardhana

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar.

This nottuswaram is in praise of Lord Rama rAm, describing him as Janardhana, slayer of Ravana! elder brother of Lakshmana! remover of ignorance and wickedness! giver of enjoyment! Serene one with a dark form! The one praised by Guruguha!

Performers: Amogh Bragadeesh, Anjani Basavaraju, Arren Pydimarry, Jay Boorugu, Jeevan Chethan, Nihit Paydiparthy -- Dithya Manduva -- Varenya Vinjamuri.

Shankaravara

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Rupakam
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar.

This nottuswaram is in praise of Lord Ekamranathar (Shiva) of Kanchipuram. It is addressing Lord Shambhu as the lord of all creatures! The one whose lovely form is an embodiment of Om! And the father of Guruguha to protect us.

Performers: Amogh Bragadeesh, Anjani Basavaraju, Arren Pydimarry, Jay Boorugu, Jeevan Chethan, Nihit Paydiparthy -- Tejas Anand.

Gatha Moha

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Rupakam
Composer: Thyagaraja.

This simple kriti is in praise of Lord Rama, that says, Oh Lord from whom delusion has fled! Oh Protector of those dependent! Oh Beloved of Sita! Oh Lord abiding in the hearts of Lord Siva and Brahma! Oh Lord who fords people from the Ocean of Worldly existence! Oh Lord in whom Gajendra – the blessed elephant sought refuge! Please protect me.

Performers: Sharanya Kalyanam, Shridevi Konaraddi, Suhashini Jegannathan -- Kritika Akkaraju, Mayukh Thotapalli, Sahasra Kunchakuri, Samruthi Kumaran.

Tamboori Meetidave

Ragam: Sindubhairavi
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Purandaradasa.

The dasas are people who have decided to spend there lives in the service of God, by singing his praises. They usually carry a tamboori to maintain the shruti as well as the rhythm in the song. They wear anklets too which means they also danced to these songs that they wrote and composed music for. Purandara dasa is one such dasa, a great poet and devotee of vittala. In this song composed in Kannada, Purandaradasa explains how people can attain salvation through songs and being a dasa of Vittala.

Performers: Dharun Ganapathi Sankarasubramanian, Dheesidan Karthick Kumar, Jayadithya Buddan Ramesh, Kaniskar Rajasekaran, Rakshan Srinivasan, Shashvat Hariharan, Vrishank Srinivasan, Yaathith Jayadhanaraj -- Akshaya Ganesan, Hasini Viswasarathy, Kaviya Karthick Kumar, Mrugakshi Badhri Vishaal, Riya Iyer.

Unnai Thudikka Arul tha

Ragam: Kuntalavarali
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Papanasam Shivan.

This is the first composition of Sri Papanasam Shivan. This song is in praise of the Thyagesan (Lord Shiva) of Tiruvarur. In this song, he requests the blessings of the lord to bestow him with the mind to pray him instead of getting deluded by women and gold and materialistic pleasures. He reiterates devotion as the way to reach the infinite bliss.

Performers: Dharun Ganapathi Sankarasubramanian, Dheesidan Karthick Kumar, Kaniskar Rajasekaran, Rakshan Srinivasan, Shashvat Hariharan, Vrishank Srinivasan, Yaathith Jayadhanaraj -- Akshaya Ganesan, Hasini Viswasarathy, Kaviya Karthick Kumar, Mrugakshi Badhri Vishaal, Riya Iyer.

Bomma Bomma tha

Ragam: Shankarabharanam
Thalam: Adi.

This Bhajan describes the dance of Ganapathi in its rhythm and all the musical instruments being played when he is dancing. The song has catchy rhythms like “dritham dritham thom”, ”dhimmi tarikita” “dhrimi dhrimi dhrimi” that complements the ecstatic dance of ganesha

Performers: Kritika Akkaraju, Mayukh Thotapalli, Sahasra Kunchakuri, Samruthi Kumaran -- Inika Keranahalli, Sathya Krishnan

Dance: Akshaya Ganesan.

Jathiswaram

Ragam: Vasanta
Thalam: Rupakam
Composer: Tanjavur Quartet.

Jatiswaram is a musical form which belongs to abhyasa ganam. This is generally learnt after geethams. As the name suggests, jatiswaram has only swaras and no sahitya (lyrics). The composition has pallavi and number of charanas. Since it has only swaras, it is also known as swarapallavi. This is a typical dance item and sung with jatis.

Performers: Mouneesha Gade, Prasanthi Revuru, Shruthi Pathikonda, Shwetha Sannenalli, Uma Anantha.

Dance: Sathya Krishnan

Jayathi Jayathi Bharatha Matha

Ragam: Khamas
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Mayuram Viswanatha Sastry.

Worshipping our motherland as goddess is an inherent part of our religion, dharma and culture. This patriotic song is hailing for victory to motherland, as sung by the wise and learned. She spreads the web of auspiciousness and cuts short the activities of evil people.

Performers: Akshaya Ganesan, Hasini Viswasarathy, Kaviya Karthick Kumar, Mrugakshi Badhri Vishaal, Riya Iyer.

Dance: Dr. Ramadevi Ravindran.

Azhagu Deivamaga

Ragam: Shenjurutti
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Periasaami Thooran.

This is a kavadi chindu or a tamil folk song that are simple yet emotional and appealing. This particular kavadi chindu is composed by Periasaami Thooran in praise of Lord Muruga of Pazhani in his book “Murugan aruL maNi mAlai”. It describes the beauty of seeing Lord muruga as a child yet is the savior of those who worship him.

Performers: Bragadeesh Balasubramanian, Sankarasubramanian Ganapathy, Srikanth Pydimarry, Akshaya Ganesan, Hasini Viswasarathy, Kaviya Karthick Kumar, Mrugakshi Badhri Vishaal, Riya Iyer.

Dance: Tharani Vaidyanatha Chetti.

Maadu meikum kanne

Ragam: Shenjurutti
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Oothukadu Venkatakavi.

This song is a dialog between Lord Krishna as a kid and his mother yashodha. Krishna wants to go out to play and rear the cattle while Yashodha tries to stop him giving reasons like Krishna might be attacked by wild animals and theives. Krishna counters every reason of Yashoda. At the end, of course, who can win an argument with Krishna?

Performers: Dharun Ganapathi Sankarasubramanian, Dheesidan Karthick Kumar, Kaniskar Rajasekaran, Rakshan Srinivasan, Shashvat Hariharan, Vrishank Srinivasan, Yaathith Jayadhanaraj -- Mouneesha Gade, Prasanthi Revuru, Shruthi Pathikonda, Shwetha Sannenalli, Uma Anantha.

Dance: Dr. Ramadevi Ravindran and Subanya Saravana Bhava.

Vandanamu Raghunandana

Ragam: Madhyamavati
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Thyagaraja.

This Song is in praise of Rama as the spouse of Janaki and the one who captivates everyone’s heart. He is the treasure of spiritual wisdom, who incarnated as Sitarama, characterized by fascinating eyes. He is the dispeller of ignorance and all sins like how the Sun dispels darkness. He generously bestows his devotees with worthy possessions, righteousness, untainted wealth, pure love and salvation.

Performers: Mouneesha Gade, Prasanthi Revuru, Shruthi Pathikonda, Shwetha Sannenalli, Uma Anantha -- Abirami Thyagarajan, Keerthika Ramakrishnan, Sharanyaa Anand.

Ramabhadra Rara

Ragam: Ananda Bhairavi
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Bhadrachala Ramadasa.

This Song in praise of Rama is composed in Telugu, calling out to Rama to come along with his consort Sita. It describes the beauty of Rama, with his cheeks smooth like a mirror, with beautiful hair knot, with ringing sound from the bells of his anklets and pleads him to come with Sita.

Performers: Mouneesha Gade, Prasanthi Revuru, Shruthi Pathikonda, Shwetha Sannenalli, Uma Anantha -- Hareesha Dosawada -- Bragadeesh Balasubramanian, Hariharan Krishnaswami, Sankarasubramanian Ganapathy, Srikanth Pydimarry.

Nenjukku Neediyum

Ragam: Sindhubhairavi
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Mahakavi Bharathiyar.

‘Nenjukku Neediyum’ is a tamil song composed by Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar in praise of Goddes Devi. Bharathiyar is an extraordinary poet and patriot who sought to inspire people to be brave and fearless through his numerous songs on the freedom movement. In this poem, he says, “I will always pray to you Shakthi. Come what may, wary, torrid archery, poison, malady, needless be afraid of; For everyone is rescued at Her feet. Om Sakthi Om Sakthi Om.

Rama Kodanda Rama

Ragam: Bhairavi
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Thyagaraja.

In this song, Thyagaraja describes rama as the one with the bow named kODanDam. As the husband of goddess Sita he is the only one who can bestow salvation. He is incomparable. Thinking about him all the time is enough for devotees to attain salvation. The path he walked is the righteous path.

Performers: Sharanyaa Anand -- Tejas Anand, Mouneesha Gade -- Mayukh Thotapalli, Prasanthi Revuru-- Eesha Bhavaraju, Uma Bhavaraju.

Om Gam Ganapathaye

Ragam: Hamsadhwani
Thalam: Adi.

Om Gam Ganapthaye is a bhajan in praise of Lord Ganesha. Om Gam Ganapathaye Namaha, can be translated as, My Salutation to Lord Ganesha. OM is the universal sound and it constitutes the divine form of sound. Gam is the Bija Mantra or Lord Ganapathi. Ganapataye meaning the the lord of all ganas. Namaha means Salutations! It describes Ganesha as the dear son of Gowri, lambodhara (the one with a huge belly), the one who removes all obstacles and bestows devotees with prosperity.

Performers: Sankarasubramanian Ganapathy -- Dharun Ganapathi Sankarasubramanian, Bragadeesh Balasubramanian -- Amogh Bragadeesh, Srikanth Pydimarry -- Arren Pydimarry.

Hiranmayeem Lakshmeem

Ragam: Lalitha
Thalam: Rupakam
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar.

This song is in praise of Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Those who pray to Goddess Lakshmi hope to be blessed with material wealth and prosperity. Even her image is shown as pouring gold from her hands. Here the composer Muthuswami Dikshithar describes Lakshmi herself as being golden (Hiranmayeeem); she is the gold that he aspires for. He want to stay away from people who are materialistic. It is a suggestion of how the mind of a righteous man should be to worship and long for the grace of God.

Performers: Abirami Thyagarajan, Keerthika Ramakrishnan, Sharanyaa Anand.

Rangapuravihara

Ragam: Brindavana Saranga
Thalam: Rupakam
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar.

This song is composed in praise of the presiding deity of Srirangam, Sri Ranganatha swamy. In this song Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar says, Oh Rangapura! Victory to you who incarnated as the warrior Rama in the Raghu dynasty, wielding the bow Kodanda. Oh beloved of Ramaa, you are swift like king of deers in giving boons to the to celestials. You who have Garuda as your mount, you are dark-skinned, whose sidelong glances are compassionate, who is present in good company.

Performers: Abirami Thyagarajan, Keerthika Ramakrishnan, Sharanyaa Anand.

Nagumomu

Ragam: Madhyamavati
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Thyagaraja.

Performers: Kritika Akkaraju, Mayukh Thotapalli, Sahasra Kunchakuri, Samruthi Kumaran -- Lahari Devulapalli-- Arush Manduva.

Ramachandraya Mangalam

Ragam: Kurunji
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Bhadrachala Ramadasa.

This beautiful Mangalam on Rama is praying for prosperity, happiness, and auspiciousness to spread throughout the world. Rama, as the fulfiller of the requests of his bhakthas or devotees. Mangalam to Rama whose heart is gentle and who is the Lord of Bhadrachala Ramadasu.

Performers: Sharanya Kalyanam -- Jay Boorugu, Shruthi Pathikonda -- Eshaan Dasa, Hareesha Dosawada -- Arush Manduva, Anwitha Manduva, Suhashini Jegannathan -- Sai Janani Mani.

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