When I selected this raga for today, I had so many questions in front of me. There is a Carnatic raga by this name, which is almost extinct; the one which is popular is the Hindustani type; so which one to be discussed? Secondly, how can I call this a rare raga? It is one of the most popular raga in light and devotional music; same time seldom heard anybody singing a carnatic composition in this raga except the ragamalika ‘Kurai onrum illai’, though there are almost very near to 80 compositions available – can it be considered as a rare raga? A real puzzle; at last decided to treat it only as a rare raga.
The Shivaranjani as a carnatic raga is a janya of Mela (64) ragam Vachaspathi; a vakra-sampoorna raga. This raga is seen only in the books, could not find any compositions, the notes being S R2 G3 M2 D2 P D2 N2 S // S N2 D2 P D2 M2 G3 R2 S
The next is the Hindustani raga, which has been adapted to carnatic music as a janya of mela (22) Kharaharapriya ragam, with notes:
S R2 G2 P D2 S // S D2 P G2 R2 S
On a close look, we can see that if the Sadharana Gandharam (G2) is replaced by Anthara Gandharam (G3), it is one of the most popular and beautiful oudava raga, Mohanam. Similarly, if the R2 and D2 are replaced by R1 and D1 respectively, it becomes the beautiful morning raga, Bhupalam. Again, if the Panchamam is replaced by M1, it becomes Abhogi. Shivaranjani is not seen in SSP; but Ragapravaham by D.Pattammal gives both the types (Kharaharapriya and Vachaspathi janyas).
Shivaranjani raga is known for the pathos it carries. In addition, it conveys Bhakthi and Karuna rasas; hence numerous bhajans and devotional songs are tuned in this raga. The sadharana gandharam brings the feel of anguish or pain. This is a very light raga, no possibility of expansion or gamakams; also all the notes are plain, only the D2 can oscillate a little. The ragas Vijayanagari and Neelamani also carry the same emotions. Addition of Anthara Gandhara (G3) alongside with the G2, makes it Misra Shivaranjani; it gives an entirely different flavor (the Thillana sung by Sri. Maharajapuram Santhanam is too famous). Thus Shivaranjani, though a Classical raga, it is used widely in lighter genres of music such as devotionals, bhajans and film music and has great recall value among lay listeners, making it populist.
Coming to its therapeutic value, Shivaranjini is said to be very useful for memory problems. It is said that the raga proves good for diseases related to excess heat and is good for general health and removes sadness. While listening to Sivaranjini the mind that is stressed with sadness, releases the pressure with tears dripping like raindrops. Here healing comes through tears relaxing the neurons. This raga is a good ante dote for depression. It makes a listener cry out ( can be vocal crying or sobbing or emotional tearing) pouring out the suppressed feelings and emotions. A good cry helps to soothe our minds, makes you feel better and reduces stress. Chemicals that build up during emotional stress may be removed in our tears when we cry; hence it has a better survival effect on man.
Compositions :
Amba parameshvari - K.Ramaraj
Amma amma amma - Nila Ramamurti
Andavan anbe shakti tarum - Papanasam Shivan
Aparimita karuna samudram - R.K.Suryanarayana
Chintanai sheivom sendur - Rukmini Ramani
Cintaiyil uraiyum - Lalita Venkataraman
Devi dayapari shankarai - Mangalam Ganapati
Devi ki mahima Balasai
Ellaiyilla perum nidhiye - Lalita Venkataraman
Ellorum varungal - N.Viramani Iyer
Enakkenna bhayam kalki bhagavan - V.Girija
Engo or kuzhal olikka ketkinradu - S.Vembu
Ezhu kadal alaigal en dishai - Mangalam Ganapati
Govinda govinda - Chitravina N.Ravikiran
Guruvayurappa unai - Kamalasulochana
Indira ramanu dechchi - Annamacharya
Izhaikkum vinai vazhiye - Abhirami Bhattar
Janani janani janani Keharva - B.Ramamoorthy Rao
Janani niyirukka pirajanattai - Indira Shrinivasan
Jaya jaya dattaraja yogi - Dattatreyasvami
Jayatu jayatu sairama - R.N.Doresvamy
Jnana margam Adi - ?
Karumbu villai - N.Viramani Iyer
Karuttil angum - N.Viramani Iyer
Kayal vizhittenai sheyalazhitttai - Arunagirinathar
Kridati vanamali - Sadashiva Brahmendra
Kuralinai taruvai - T.N.Bala
Kuzhal oshai ketkudamma - Shuddhananda Bharati
Madhavan mayanigi - Chitravina N.Ravikiran
Maha prabho mahadeva - Rukmini Ramani
Makara kundalam adudu - ?
Malai midu vazhum shri shrinivasa - Bharati Ganesh
Mamava parameshvari - Madurai G.S.Mani
Manava shodisha beku nichchadina - ?
Manavi chaya radate - Sriramachandra Murti Sistla
Mantralaya vasi brindavana - V.Shrinivasa Rao
Moham ariyadu pole enmele (p) - Vasudeva Kavi
Mok khobbak kripakaranavaste - Natanagopalanayaki
Nambinen ayya nataraja - Shuddhananda Bharati
Nanu palimpa rava (p) - Sriramachandra Murti Sistla
Nijamuga nikidi mera - Calcutta K.S.Krishnamurti
Nilabadi yunnanu - Madurai G.S.Mani
Ninaiye ninaindullen (tv) - Tirupur R.Subramaniam
Niyunnasta varamunundi - Sriramachandra Murti Sistla
Orulevvaru - Sriramachandra Murti Sistla
Padam maraven devi - Nila Ramamurti
Pittan enbadum - S.Kalyanaraman
Radhika krishna radhika (Sthanavini) - Jayadeva
Raghavendra raghavendra japisuvase - K.S.Raghu
Rudra devane rakshisu - R.K.Padmanabha
Sadguru krpaya Adi - ?
Sendil padiyonai - Nagpur Srinivasan
Shakti shankaram inra - Ashok R.Madhav
Shivashakti rupini shivakama - B.Ramamoorthy Rao
Shri guru shridhara venkatesha - Venkatesha Ayya
Shri raja rajeshvara ni rajanamuche - Balamuralikrishna
Shridhara shriguru - Madurai G.S.Mani
Tam dhim tom (t) - Madurai N.Krishnan
Tarunam idayya dayai puri - Papanasham Sivan
Tillana - M.S.Balasubramania Sharma
Tillana - Maharajapuram Santhanam
Tillana - Madurai R.Muralidharan
Tiru mayilai karpakame - Nila Ramamurti
Tom dhru dhim (t) - Maharajapuram Santhanam
Un padam vidamatten ezhu malai iraiva - S.Vembu
Va va velava tamayeni azha - S.Ramanathan
Vande sharanam pughum - Abhirami Bhattar
Varuga varuga - Chitravina N.Ravikiran
Vasanta ninaivu sevikka - Appadurai
Vasiso vadiraja - R.K.Padmanabha
Vayalur muruga vadivel muruga - Rajam Sharma
Vendada vambu - Nila Ramamurti
Vinaro ghanamaina - Sriramachandra Murti Sistla
Yamanelli kananendu - Purandaradasa
Yar enna shonnalum unnai - Nila Ramamurti
(indebted to Sri. Lakshman Ragde for the list)
Let us listen to the Papanasam Sivan composition, “Andavan anbe shakthi tharum”, beautifully sung by vidushi. Nithyasree Mahadevan.
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