Musings: Tea with Tilang

§ Today we explore raag Tilang as the kettle boils a wonderful Indian brew of Chai. Raag Tilang brings about a mood of celebration and joy. This raag is used in Bhajans, Geets, Tukkadas and ofcourse in Bollywood this raag has been rejoiced. The song Gori Gori Gaun ki Chori Re and Kaise Kahen Hum are some of the well known songs in this raag.

§ Tilang has a pentatonic scale. SGMPNS, SnPMGS. Sydhwaney, the group melodies in Sydney sing a wonderful Bhajan Rap set to Raag Tilang that expresses the celebration and joy of the arrival of little Krishna in Vrindavan.

Tumaka Tumaka Paga Kumaka Kunja Maga Chapala Charana Hari Aaaye; – originally sung in an Indian Movie the words are catchy:

Thumaka Thumaka –  Raag Tilang   – Taal Teen

N S N                SSS      pnsrns N p p  pnpm  g m

thumaka thumaka paga kumaka kunja maga

smg   m p n   mp   n – s n s

capala carana hari aye (ho)

Sn s   m-m  gmg mpn pmg

mere prana bhulavana aye

g-mp n n n    p N N S  pn p

mere nayana lubhavana aye

s- ns   g  g g  g  g  g g   g gmg  s

aruna kirana sama srna vrnda tava

nnn      s-s s s  ps ps snsrs npnsn pmpnp gmpns

kirana bala     ravi a  ———————-ye    ho

S nS    m m m  gm gmn     pm g        m  g

amala kamala kara murali madhura dhara

n-n nn s- ss         ps snsrs npnsn pmpnp gmpns

bamsi bajavana   a                                ye    ho

Following in Double Speed

S N  S m m m m m g m p g   m  g   g    g

amala kamala kara murali madhura dhara

g,gm pnnn      npnnnp

bansi bajavana Aye ho

g, gm p nn   nn   g gm  p N N N  N   S   S

kunja kunja hara kunja kunja     bhara

n, ns, nn,ss        mp np

vrnda ranga hari aye ho

n,ns     g  g   g    g  s gg   g   s s  n s

nimiki jhimiki jhimi nimiki jhimiki jhimi

n  n n    s   s   n s snsrs npnsn pmpnp gmpns

nartana paga pija a                            ye    ho

§ I hear the pitter patter of his footsteps and know he is here, upto some mischief.  He steals my heart with the magic of his flute and makes me dance to his tunes.

The play with Krishna cannot last long because a great poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in Bengal is now beckoning us with his poem – “Anjali Lauhomore Shongithey Bhongithey” – Nazrul was known as the Bidrohi Poet or The Rebel Poet.

Bengali Poem by Nazrul

Anjali Lauhomore Shaongithey Bhonghithey

Prodhipo Shikaay Shaumo Knapiche Praan Moumo

Thomahi Shundhoro Bhondhithey Shongithey

Thomaro Dheba Lowyi Ki shuke ki Jani

Dhule Dhule Hote Aamaro Dheho kani

Aarothi Nrithero Bhondhithey Shongithey

Pulauke Biko Shilo Premero Shauthodhaul

Gaundhe Rupe Raushe Koriche Taulomaul

Thomari Mukher Chahi Aamar Bani Jatho

Lotaeeya Paure Jhaura Phuler Mautho

Thomaro Paudho Tholo Ronjhithey Shonghithey

http://www.esnips.com/doc/ef3f4336-21cf-4772-9540-92b12657cf59/Onjali-loho-mor_Ferdous-Ara

§ Aunjali Lauhomore – I present to you my lord my garland of music and rest it at your feet. Also sung by many in Tilang it has a lilting captivating tune which Bengali’s rejoice.

§ In the South of India, the well-known poet Bharatiyaar wrote this poem”

Shanti Nilava Vendum, Yengum Shanti Nilava Vendum,

Atma Shakthi WOnga Vendum, Ullagile Shanti Nilava Vendum

Yengum Shanthi -3

Gandhi Mahatma Kattalai Yadheve; Karunai Ottremai KadirOli Paravir

Kodumai Chethiyor Manam Adhe Thirindha Nargunam Adhe Pugazh Thidevom

Madamai Acham Arupam Makkalin Masila Nalorekum Valarpom

Dhridam Tharum Ahimsa Yoginam Thandhai Atma Nandam Peraver

Kadamai Maravom Avar Kadan Thirpom, Kalangamin Alar Valarpom

http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/fJx2U42Xtd.As1NMvHdW/

§ It took the great doyen of Carnatic Music Patammal to tune it in Raag Tilang. Bharatiyaar says “Peace should be the only Government, the only Creed, the only Religion and the only way of Life”.

§ The Maharaja Swathi Thirunal also has composed a wonderful bhajan in Hindi:

Krishna Chandra Radha Mohana, Mere Mana Me Virajo ji”.

Padmanabha prabhu Bhani Bhara Sayee

Kabahi Jayo Sinddhawana Sey

Aisi Leelakoti Thumhari Nahi Kahi

Ja sey Kabhi Jan Sey Krishna Chandra Radha Mohana

http://www.swathithirunal.in/htmlfile/150.htm

§The leela or the Magic of Krishna so great and undescribable.

§ The Great Composer Purandara Dasar from Mysore composed a keerthanam in Kannada in the praise of Lord Rama – “Rama Rama Rama Sita Rama Eniro”

§ Ambhujam Krishnan, a modern poet, says in the language of Tamil

“Kannan Kural Osai Kekkathadi,

Mani Vannan Yege Chendra Azhaithodi Vadi

Annam Yeranga Villai Athiram MelIda

Yenna Chaiven Nan Yenga Selven

I hear the sounds of the Flute of Krishna, this song takes priority with many bharathanatyam dancers who dance to this song or Padam. Here’s a crisp rendition of the song by Nityashree. http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/KJy2JPA299.As1NMvHdW/

§ The Great Ghazal Singer Begum Akhtar’ unforgettable Tumri in Mishra Tilang “Ankhiyana Neendhana Aaye, Hai Ram” http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/sUfhXlxXqt.As1NMvHdW/

§ Ravi Shankar and Yehudi Menuhin’s composition called Swara Kakkali based on Raag Tilang is a fusion piece which adds interest to this discussion. Goodbye for now.