My humble tribute to SPB
S.P.B: Tell me about the project Ramesh?
Me: Anna ‘Auvvai Sonna Aram’ is a series of morals in 72 stanzas written by Auvaiyar in the 13th century. We are now making it as a musical file using all the 72 Melakartha Ragas showcasing the ‘Raghajeeva’ in each stanza. As you sing each stanza, I shall give the meaning in simple Tamil and in English for everyone to know.
S.P.B: What a fine project Ramesh. But I may not know as many ragas as you think. (laughs).
Me: Anna, you are too humble.
S.P.B: Oh No. 72 Melakartha Ragas is a full feast. . You should have more singers in the file and make it in more voices. . Shall I choose to sing only the ones I’m comfortable with?
Me: Sure Anna. But you should make the invocation song in ‘Kanakangi’ and then a few more of your choice of Ragas. Your presence in this project is a great gift for us, Anna. It is a blessing for us.
S.P.B: I should thank you, Ramesh, for inviting me to be a part of such a great project of eternity for the generations to come. Please send me a copy after completion. I wish to have one for records.
(I prostrate at the feet of the legend Sri S.P.Balasubramanyam and we started. The recording experience with him was so ‘awe-inspiring’ , so much ‘fun-filled’ with his ad-hoc Riaz leaving us in cloud 9. What an artist God had given us? Blissful 2 days with the son of the Goddess ‘Saraswathi’ that happened in 2012 shall be remembered forever.)
Thanks to my beloved music director Kannan Veeramani for the divine connection. He was smiling at us as two Telugu guys talking in Telugu about a profound Tamil literary work for posterity.
Friends,
Here is a sample of the 1st Stanza. Soon I shall upload all the 144 files on YouTube. 72 with meaning in Tamil and 72 with meaning in English.
(BTW Rag Kanakangi was also chosen for AIR for ages. If you all can relate…)
My humble tribute to SPB.
– Srirangam Ramesh
Blessed Ramesh