Thiruvallikkeni Vasanthothsavam 3 2022 - Ninnukkori varnam !!

Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar (1860 - 1919), also known as Ramanathapuram Srinivasa Iyengar, was a singer and composer, a doyen  of Carnatic music. Born in Ramanathapuram, his famous disciples would include   Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar. He composed over 100 songs and used the mudra Srinivasa in his compositions.  "The appellation 'Poochi' meaning 'insect' is rather strange. There are surmises that his raga elaboration resembled the humming of a beetle, or that he used to apply sandal paste on his body and the Tamil word 'Poochu' had become 'Poochi' or that he was known for his tireless activity like the bee; but the real reason is not known. 

After Nayakan when Mani Ratnam rose to prominence, came the movie Agni Natchathiram in 1988 starring Prabhu and others – Anand theatre G Umapathy had a special role.  The main attraction of the movie was Illayaraja’s BGM and songs -  this song was a great hit !! 

Ninnukkori… varnam varanam; Isaithida ennai thedi varanum varanum

Oru kili thanithirukka - Unakkena thavamirukka

Iru vizhi sivanthirukka - Ithazh mattum veluthirukka

Azhagiya raguvaranae anuthinamum  .. .. .. 

Vasantha (vasantā) is a raga in Carnatic music -  a janya raga of Suryakantam, the 17th Melakarta raga.  There are firm opinions that this raga   is derived from Mayamalavagowla, the 15th Melakarta raga. Vasantha is suitable to be sung in evening and is considered an auspicious raga. Wiki mentions the notes in the ascent as Sadja, Antara Gandhara, Suddha Madhyama, Chatusruti Dhaivata, and Kakali nishada , not necessarily sung in that order. In the descent the Suddha Rishabha joins the string of notes completing the scale. Vasantha is an ancient raga and has been prevalent for more than a 1000 years.  The original keerthana was set to raag ‘Vasantha’. 

Ninnu kori yunna nura Nikila loka nayaka

Nannu palimpa samayamura Nameetha krupa judara

Sannuthanga Sreenivasa 

Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar who composed this raga prays Ramapiran – hailing Him as Nayaka, the leader of the entire (“nikhila”) universe (“loka”)! I am subsisting (“yunnanu ra”) because of the yearning I have for you (“ninnu kori”). 

The song ‘ninnukori varnam’ however was set in Vasantha, though Poochi Iyengar had it in Mohana raag and to Adi Tana varnam in Telegu.   This song by Illayaraja was a great hit -  Raja perhaps has penchant for this Raga as there is yet another masterpiece ‘andhi mazhai pozhigirathu’ in Raja paarvai where the voice of TMG and violin reverberates !   You may wish to hear this song on You tube :  

Moving away from all these, today was day 3 of Vasantha uthsavam at Thiruvallikkeni and Sri Parthasarthi Emperuman adorning Venkatadri kondai gave great darshan to devotees.  Here are some photos taken by me  during today’s purappadu. 

adiyen Srinivasadhasan
Mamandur veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
4^th  June 2022.