Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi
Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu
, India)
Died1765 (aged 64–65)

Oothukkaadu Venkata Kavi (c. 1700-1765) or Oottukkaadu Venkata Subramanyar was one of the pioneering composers[1] in Indian classical Carnatic music. He lived in South India in the present-day state of Tamil Nadu. Also known by the name Oothukkaadu Venkatasubramaniya Iyer, he composed hundreds of compositions in Sanskrit and Tamil of which over 500 are available. These were handed down from generation to generation by the descendants of the composer's brother's family.[2]

Venkata Kavi's compositions reveal that he was a complete master of the science and art of music in all senses of the term – melody, rhythm, and lyrics. He was fluent in Sanskrit and Tamil. Renowned for his rare depth, scholarship and sublime appeal,

Shyama Shastri, who lived around 1760s-1840s."[4]

While he has rightfully been acknowledged as one of the greatest composers on Krishna,[5] Venkata Kavi composed hundreds of pieces on other deities too. Several pieces also reveal his humility, reverence for the great personalities before his times, and the high state of bliss that he probably experienced almost ceaselessly.[6] His works scarcely contain autobiographical notes but show that he had reached great spiritual and philosophical heights. Deeper studies have dispelled myths about some of his compositions such as, for example, "Alaipaayude kannaa" (raaga: Kaanada) being autobiographical.[7] They have also shown that this and numerous other pieces on Krishna in lilting Tamil were parts of an opera based on the Bhaagavatam. His works also reveal the proximity and deep devotion that he felt towards Krishna.[8]

Early life

Venkata Kavi, named Venkata Subramanian, was born in

Kumbhakonam. One of his nephews, Kattu Krishna Iyer was a musician in the royal court of the Thanjavur Maraatha King Prataapa Simha Bhonsale in the later part of the 18th century. Venkata Kavi composed hundreds of songs in praise of the Kaalinga Nartana Krishna of Oottukkadu, also referred to as "Then Gokulam"[10]
(literally, "Southern Gokulam") and several other shrines over the course of his life.

According to family sources, Venkata Kavi was passionate about music but could not find a Guru of his choice in that area, which prompted his mother to suggest that he appeal to the God

Krishnaa himself, in the Kaalinga Narthana Temple in Oothukkaadu.[11] He is believed to have received initiation from the Lord himself, as asserted in one of his Tamil compositions, Guru paadaaravindam komalamu - in the raga Abhogi, he declares: "I have never studied the scriptures or yoga nor pretended to have done so. I received the fortune of knowledge in the benevolent glance of my guru."[12]

Musicianship

The greatest evidence of his musical pedigree is his compositions. There are several references to good musical approach, practices and even technical terms of ornamentation like saahatam and pratyaahatam.[13] Venkata Kavi believed that music had to be blended with spirituality (bhakti) in order to shine. His philosophy, bhakti yoga sangeeta margame paramapavanam aagume ("Devotion though music is the sole path to salvation") is also resonated by Tyagaraja (1767-1847) sangeeta gnanamu bhakti vinaa sanmaargamu galade.

Consult this Wiki glossary for some of the Carnatic music terms.

Raagas vision

Venkata Kavi had a vast knowledge of music and musical nuances. He used a wide variety of

Sahana, through minor ones like Kannadagowla, Jayantashri, Maalavi, Umaabharanam and a few that are seldom used today such as Balahamsa and Rasamanjari. In some instances, his works are the first or only ones to be available in a given raaga such as Sri Shivanayike in Lalitagandharvam and Paadasevanam in Deeparam. His approach to even common raagas like Sahaana, Pharas, Naadanaamakriya, and Aarabhi are distinctive and refreshing.[14]

His vision of the raaga and melody as a whole is considerable and can be seen in the number of different styles in which he composed various krtis in the same raaga. For instance, his krtis in

Navarasakannada
.

Sophisticated rhythm

Venkata Kavi ventured into scarcely attempted talas like Khanda Dhruvam (17 units per cycle), Sankeerna Madhyamam (20 units per cycle) and Mishra Atam (18 units per cycle). He effortlessly employed complex eduppus (take-off or landing points of various sections of a composition) without affecting the flow of the music or the lyrics. He could change the gati (gait) with ease, . He was probably the only composer to have not only handled chaturashra (4/4) time-signatures but also tishram (3/4 or 6/4) as well as khandam (5/4 or 5/8) etc. in his compositions; for example: Neerada-sama (Jayantashree), Natavara-taruni (Kannadagowla), Vitasama-vara (Vasantaa), and Urugaada manam (Todi).[15]

Lyrical variations

Sangatis are pre-composed variations in a composition and rendered in a disciplined manner (as opposed to variations born from free improvisation). Usually, variations are melodic in nature while the lyrics remain constant. Several of Venkata Kavi’s pieces have such sangatis but he also demonstrated a rarely seen concept of lyrical variations. For instance, in the pallavi of his Aabhogi kriti, Mahashaya hrdaya, he has composed three variations in the madhyamakaala passage as given below:[16]

  1. madhukara champaka vana vihaara manamohana Madhusoodana navabhooshana
  2. madhukara champaka vana vihaara nava pallava padakara madana gambheera
  3. madhukara champaka vana vihaara govardhana dhara bhujaga nartana charana

Similar examples can be seen in pieces like Aganita mahima (Gowla).[17] In this composition, he has also used innovative structuring by inserting medium-fast passages between two slower cycles, investing the section with .

Emphatic finales

Venkata Kavi was a master of finishes. In several songs, his endings are in interesting rhythmic patterns. For example, Bhuvanamoha in Dhanyasi, where he has capped off the charanam with a pattern of 6 repeated 11 times, which is a wonderful way to get to half a beat landing (which is the commencing point of the pallavi) from the beat after 2 cycles of Adi tala. The words are superbly woven in lilting Sanskrit:

atinootana kusumaakara vrjamohana saraseeruha dalalochana mamamanasa patuchorasu- swarageetasu- muraleedhara suramodita bhavamochana

There are many other instances of similar endings in krtis such as Alavadennalo in Pharas (5th charanam) and Mummada vezhamugattu Vinayakan in Nattai.

Multi-lingual felicity

Venkata Kavi had deep scholarship in Sanskrit and Tamil. His fluency in Sanskrit rivalled that of his command of Tamil, a commentary not only on his erudition but also a pointer to his immense vocabulary- words such as kalamba (arrow), charatha (wandering), shileemukha (bee) are just a few examples out of hundreds seen in his works, which are especially unique in Carnatic literature.[18] He had the ability of use common words in uncommon contexts.

Imagination

His poetic ability to create unique scenarios or give singular twists to even common stories is seen in hundreds of songs such as Taye yashoda in raga

gopikas are complaining to Yashoda about her son Lord Krishna. This song has eight charanams (stanzas) and each one describes the pranks of Krishna very humorously. Not so well known is the reply by Krishna to every one of these charges in another piece, Illai illai in Mohanam, also with eight charanams. This quality sets him apart even in his general compositions such as Chindittavar nenjil iruppadu (Nattai).[19] [20]

Compositions

Venkata Kavi has composed on a wide range of themes. The most popular of his songs are on Lord

Tulasidas
and many others revealing his knowledge of their works and contributions and his reverence towards them.

Forms employed

  • Krtis of various types - Slow paced, medium fast, songs with samashti charanam, songs with jatis (rhythmic syllables), songs set with gati bhedam (gait/pulse) change,[23][24] songs with Kalai change[25]
  • Tillanas
  • Shlokas/Free verses
  • Natangam - a form that has lyrics and rhythmic syllables with and without melody in various sections
  • Javali
  • Tiruppugal style composition (à la Arunagirinathar)

Operas

As of 2007, no other composer in India has created as many musical operas as Venkata Kavi has.[26]

The most well known is "Krishna Ganam" based on Bhagavatam, which narrates Krishna’s birth and colourful childhood, beginning from Devaki-Vasudeva’s wedding and Kamsa’s curse and ending with Krishna’s wedding with Rukmini. It is now well known that many popular songs on Krishna like Taye yashoda, Alaippayude kanna, Pal vadiyum mukham, Parvai onre podume and Pullai piravi tara venum are part of this opera.

Venkata Kavi also composed an entire group of pieces covering Krishna's wedding with Radha. His other operas include:

  • Ramayanam
  • Mahabharatam
  • Daksha Yagam
  • Prahlada Charitram
  • Dhruva Charitram
  • Pranavopadesham (which is a single folk style piece with 83 stanzas narrating Lord Subramanya's famous story of teaching his father, Shiva)
  • Life sketch of Manickavachakar
  • Life sketch of Kungili Nayanar
  • Life sketch of Tirumangai Alvar

Several songs from Ramayanam and Mahabharatam are missing but even the few songs which have been found showcase "his skills in giving original treatment of known episodes" as dancer Dr Vyjayantimala Bali states.[27]

The composer also penned abridged versions of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavatam[citation needed].

Group compositions

Venkata Kavi has composed krtis of similar structure that form sets (or groups). The most notable ones are his Kamakshi Navavaranam and Saptaratna compositions (especially the Anjaneya Saptaratna). He has also composed several

shlokas such as Madhava panchakam,[28]
Nrsimha panchakam, Ranganatha Panchakam and so on.

Saptaratna krtis

His Saptaratnas (seven gems = seven songs) are dazzling creations, consisting of the main refrain (

swara and sahitya. These songs resemble the Pancharatna kritis of Tyagaraja, though Venkata Kavi is said to have lived much before Tyagaraja. The compositions are all in Adi tala, but the differences in melody, rhythm, and brilliant lyrical themes make each composition stand out. For instance, ‘Bhajanamruta’ in Nattai, pays tributes to great philosophers and spiritualists and cites numerous mythological and historical devotees of Vishnu (examples: Prahlada, Sanaka, Narada, Anjaneya, Guha, Sabari, Sugreeva) as well as Shiva (such as Nandi, Matanga, Vyagrapada, Manickavachagar and Sundarar) and Subramanya (such as Arunagirinathar).[29]
The saptaratnas are:

  1. Bhajanamrta – Nattai
  2. Aganita mahima –
    Gowla
  3. Madhava hrdi khelini –
    Kalyani
  4. Balasarasa murali – Keeravani
  5. Jatadara – Todi
  6. Alavadennalo – Paras
  7. Sundara nandakumara –
    Madhyamavathi

Though Venkata Kavi has composed a few more songs in the same style, they are not part of his Saptaratna set since they were composed as parts of other operatic works of his such as Bhagavatam.[30]

Anjaneya Saptaratna Kritis

The Anjaneya Saptaratna krtis, eulogize Hanuman and all seven pieces are in Sanskrit. These are:

  1. Pavana Kumara - Vasantha
  2. Veekshitoham -
    Kedaragowla
  3. Anjanānandām Bōdhi Chandra - Todi
  4. Shree Raghavadhootam - Surutti
  5. Bhaktabhagadheya -
    Madhyamavathi
  6. Satvaguna Virachitanga - Rasamanjari
  7. Vahini Tata - Malayamarutam

Of these, the last two were not published which led to a wrong categorization in some quarters.[31] However, these have been subsequently located in the possession of the Needamangalam Krishnamurthy Bhagavatar's (descendant of the poet's brother) family and disciples.

Kamakshi Navavaranam Kritis

Venkata Kavi also composed Navavarnams (nine avarnams) on the goddess Srividya to be sung during

Dasara. Venkata kavi’s collection of Kamakshi Navavarana kritis on goddess Srividya is a masterpiece.[32] Apart from the main nine songs for the nine nights, he has also composed Vinayaka stuti, Dhyana stuti and a Phala stuti. There are several similarities (and differences) between his Navavaranams and that of Muthuswami Dikshitar but both reveal the composers’ scholarship in the various aspects of Devi worship.[33]
These are:

  1. Sri Ganeshwara – Shanmukhapriya – Adi – Vinayaka stuti
  2. Vanchasi yadi kushalam –
    Kalyani
    – Adi – Dhyana stuti
  3. Santatam aham seve – Deshakshi – Adi - (1st avaranam)
  4. Bhajaswa sri tripura sundari – Nadanamakriya – Adi - (2nd avaranam)
  5. Sarvajeeva dayakari – Shuddha Saveri – Mishra Chapu - (3rd avaranam)
  6. Yoga yogeshwari – Anandabhairavi – Khanda Triputa (2 kalais) - (4th avaranam)
  7. Neelalohita ramani – Balahamsa – Khanda Dhruvam (2 kalais) - (5th avaranam)
  8. Sadanandamayi chinmayi – Hindolam – Sankeerna Matyam - (6th avaranam)
  9. Sakala loka nayike – Arabhi – Adi - (7th avaranam)
  10. Shankari Shri Rajarajeshwari –
    Madhyamavathi
    – Adi - (8th avaranam)
  11. Natajana kalpavalli – Punnagavarali – Adi - (9th avaranam)
  12. Sri haladharanujam praptum - Manirangu - Adi - Phala shruti

While the pieces showcase the composer's high caliber approach to melody, lyric, poetry and culture, they stand out for his masterly handling of intricate time measures of 9, 17 and 20 units per cycle in the 4th, 5th and 6th avarana kris respectively. This 8th avaranam has been set in alternate time-signatures within the same tala – chaturashram (4/4) and tishram (3/4).

Guru Krtis

Venkata Kavi composed at least 14-15 pieces extolling the greatness of his Guru, Krishna. A few of them suggest that he may also have had another human guru, at least for spiritual purposes. According to sources from that area, this guru was Bhaskara Raya, the acclaimed authority of Devi worship of his times.[34] This is further augmented by the immense scholarship seen in Venkata Kavi's Kamakshi Navavarana krtis dealing with the intricate details of avarana pooja (Srividya worship).

Dance compositions

Venkata Kavi's works have been automatic choices for hundreds of dancers for the scope they offer for visual interpretation, dance-specific jatis (syllables), dramatic appeal and creative content. Leading dancers of Bharatanatyam, Kuchippudi, Kathak and Odissi such as Dr Vyjayantimala Bali, Kamala Lakshman, Pt Birju Maharaj, Saswati Sen, Dr Padma Subrahmanyam,[35] Dr Vempatti Chinna Satyam, Chitra Visweswaran (www.chitravisweswaran.com),[36] Sanchita Bhattacharyaa and others have choreographed the poet's works over decades. However, there are innumerable compositions such as Nalladella enru sholladi (Shankarabharanam), Bhuvana moha (Dhanyasi), Neela malar (Vasanta), Ettanai kettalum (Bhairavi) and operas such as Pranavopadesham which are yet to be explored in the dance field.

Works suited for other platforms

Venkata Kavi's works have been extensively cited in Harikatha (musical discourses) by leading exponents such as Shri Krishna Premi, Guru Haridass Giri, Shri Muraleedhara Swami and others. Needamangalam Krishnamurthy Bhagavatar (descendant of the poet's brother's family) was known for his gripping renditions of the composer's unique works like Kalinga Nartana Natangam and Krishna Padaadi Keshaanta varnanam.

Several of Venkata Kavi's compositions are part of Bhagavata Bhajana Sampradaya (devotional music) repertoire as well. Shlokas (devotional poetry) such as Madhava Panchakam, Ranganatha Panchakam, Nrsimha Panchakam and Shiva Tandava strotram are eminently suited for daily household worship as well as for concert rendition.

Some of them, for example his Kalinga Nartana Natangam (Tillana style piece) have also been rendered in Bhagavata Mela Operas.[37]

In recent times, several of Venkata Kavi's compositions such as Udajagopa (Umabharanam) have been arranged & presented by various Western Classical Orchestras in various parts of the world.[38]

See also

References

  1. ^ www.venkatakavi.org
  2. ^ Rangaramanuja Iyengar "History of South Indian Music"
  3. ^ Indian Express Bangalore 30, Sept 2009
  4. ^ Journal of the Madras Music Academy, 1956 Vol XXVII
  5. ^ The News Minute August 25, 2016, How Krishna is Celebrated in South Indian Classical Music and Dance
  6. ^ Venkata Kavi's compositions - Alavadennalo (Paras), Padmavati ramanam (Purvikalyani), Vande vaalmeeki kokilam (Athana)
  7. ^ http://www.oothukkadu.com/kavi1.html
  8. ^ N. Ravikiran (2007). Oottukkaadu Venkata Kavi - Life and Contributions. The International Foundation for Carnatic Music.
  9. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "Swaagatham Krishnaa". The Hindu. 21 February 2013.
  11. ^ Kalyaanamaala by Needamangalam Krishnamurthy Bhaagavatar, Karnaatak Music Book House, Madras
  12. ^ Ootthukkadu Venkata Kavi Life and Contributions, Chitravina N Ravikiran, IFCM 2007
  13. ^ Oothukkaadu Venkata Kavi's composition "Baalasarasa murali", in raga Keeravaani
  14. ^ Needaamangalam Krishnamurthy Bhaagavatar's books "Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi's Shri Krishna Gaanam Vol 1, 2 and 3 " Karnatic Music Book House, Chennai, India
  15. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
  16. ^ "Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi".
  17. ^ "Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi".
  18. ^ "Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi".
  19. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
  20. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
  21. ^ "Celebrating the deity and devotee". The Hindu. 26 October 2017.
  22. ^ "Learn Carnatic Vocal | Krithi - Gajamukhaanujam in Raga Kedaram | Online Music Lessons". YouTube. 23 June 2014.
  23. ^ Swagatam Krishna - Mohanam, Neerada sama - Jayantashree, Vanamali swagatam - Nattaikkuranji in Shri Krishna Ganam - Vol 3 by Needamangalam Krishnamurthy Bhagavatar 1989
  24. ^ Upadhyaya, Prakash (20 December 2017). "Pawan Kalyan fans go gaga over Swagatham Krishna song from Agnyaathavaasi [Video]". International Business Times. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  25. ^ Sadanandamayi - Hindolam - Sankeerna Mathyam in Kamakshi Navavarana Krtis by Needamangalam Krishnamurthy Bhagavatar, 1993
  26. ^ "Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi's Life and Contributions" by Chitravina N Ravikiran, International Foundation for Carnatic Music, 2007
  27. ^ The Hindu 19 Feb 2011
  28. ^ The Hindu, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 "In Step with Creativity"
  29. ^ "Celebrating the deity and devotee". The Hindu. 26 October 2017.
  30. ^ Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi Life and Contributions, Chitravina Ravikiran, IFCM 2007
  31. ^ Needamangalam Krishnamurthy Bhagavatar's (NKB) Tamil book "Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi-in Saptaratna Kritis, Anjaneya Pancharatnam, Guru Keertanaigal"
  32. ^ http://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/on-the-kritis-by-different-composers-associated-with-navaratri/article19768494.ece "Signature songs, meditative moments" by Sudha Ragunathan for The Hindu SEPTEMBER 28, 2017
  33. ^ S. Sankaranarayanan (1990). Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi - Kamakshi Navavaranams. Carnatic Music Book House.
  34. ^ Sruti Magazine, November 2011, "Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi"
  35. ^ "Highlights at Bharat Kalachar". The Hindu. 30 November 2010.
  36. ^ "Devoted to dance". 12 February 2011.
  37. ^ Watching Bhagavata Mela at Melattur, The Hindu 31 May 2018
  38. ^ "There's no stopping him". Deccan Herald. 31 March 2018.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oothukkadu_Venkata_Kavi&oldid=1284577501"