A Journey Through Darbari Kanada, The Melodious Raga

It is accidently that I came across Darbari Kanada raga as I was going through the comment section of one of my previous blog posts that was on Amritavarshini raga. I found this raga very interesting and decided to find out more about this amazing raga. Let me get straight to the origin of Darbari Kanada, interesting tales related to it and some of the popular film songs composed in this raga.

Origin of Darbari Kanada

Just as its name hints, "Darbari" signifies a symphony fit for courts – a harmonious accompaniment to grand gatherings, where kings, queens, and dignitaries would be swaying to its enchanting melodies. This raga emerged from the illustrious Kanada family of ragas, comprising a beautiful combination of both natural and flat notes. This soulful raga is soothing to the ears, as it creates melody effortlessly, with perfection.

The raga originated in the Northern part of India, which also means that the raga is based on Hindustani classical music. The raga’s evolution and development were greatly influenced by the cultural and traditional fabric of the region. The raga has also been adapted to an extent in Carnatic music in Southern India. 

Fascinating Stories Echoing Through The Raga

It’s story time! Let’s hear some of the interesting tales related to Darbari Kanada raga:

The Emperor's Challenge:

Legend has it that during the Mughal era, Emperor Akbar once issued a musical challenge to his court musicians. He requested them to create a raga that could evoke the complex emotions of majesty, grandeur, and introspection all at once. The musicians took up the challenge and emerged with the Darbari Kanada raga. Its somber and majestic tones were said to have impressed the emperor, who was moved by the raga's ability to capture the essence of his court. Thus, Darbari Kanada earned its name, derived from "darbar," meaning royal court. This tale underscores the raga's connection to regal settings and its ability to evoke powerful emotions.

Tansen's Dilemma:

In another legend, the great Mughal musician Tansen found himself in a musical confusion. Tansen, known for his exceptional mastery over ragas, was perplexed by the complexity of a particular raga. He sought guidance from his mentor, Swami Haridas, who advised him to meditate and seek divine intervention. As Tansen meditated by the Yamuna River, he had a vision of Lord Krishna playing a melody on his flute. Inspired by this divine encounter, Tansen composed the Darbari Kanada raga, capturing the essence of the divine music he had heard. This tale showcases the raga's spiritual connection and its ability to transcend human boundaries.

The Melancholic Monk:

A more recent story involves the renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Amir Khan. It is said that he was so deeply moved by the melancholic beauty of Darbari Kanada that he referred to it as the "raga of monks weeping." This description perfectly captures the raga's ability to convey deep emotions and evoke a sense of introspection and sorrow.

The Cursed Raga:

According to a lesser-known legend, Darbari Kanada was believed to be a cursed raga, carrying a haunting quality that could evoke sorrow and even tragedy. It was said that anyone who attempted to play this raga at night risked invoking malevolent spirits and inviting misfortune. Musicians were advised to avoid playing Darbari Kanada after sunset, attributing its melancholic allure to supernatural forces. This mystique surrounding the raga added to its enigmatic reputation and the air of caution that surrounded its performance.

The Healing Raga:

In a heartwarming tale, Darbari Kanada's soothing melodies were said to have healing properties. It is said that during times of illness or distress, musicians would play the raga to provide comfort and solace to those in need. The emotional depth of Darbari Kanada was believed to have the power to alleviate pain and restore a sense of calm and tranquility. This tale highlights the therapeutic potential of music and the belief in its ability to uplift and heal.

The Musical Rivalry:

There's a famous rivalry tale involving Darbari Kanada and another renowned raga, Malkauns. It is said that the two ragas were once personified as two powerful titans engaged in a musical showdown. Each raga showcased its unique strengths and emotional palette, attempting to outdo the other. The encounter between Darbari Kanada and Malkauns is said to have resulted in a mesmerizing fusion of their respective qualities, creating a harmonious blend that left listeners spellbound. This tale emphasizes the distinctiveness of Darbari Kanada's character and its ability to engage in a musical dialogue with other ragas.

The Monsoon Raga:

In certain traditions, Darbari Kanada is associated with the monsoon season. Its melancholic and introspective nature is believed to mirror the moods and emotions evoked by the rains. The raga is thought to reflect the sound of raindrops falling gently, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere. This association adds a natural and elemental dimension to the raga, connecting it to the rhythms of the earth.

Film Music Adaptation of Darbari Kanada

Here are some of the Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam film songs that have been composed based on Darbari Kanada raga:

Hindi Film Songs on Darbari Kanada

"Mera Saaya Saath Hoga" from "Mera Saaya"

"Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon" by Lata Mangeshkar

"Badi Sooni Sooni Hai" from "Mili"

"Ja Re Ja O Harjaee" from "Kalicharan"

"Milo Na Tum Toh" from "Heer Ranjha"

"Chala Jata Hoon" from "Mere Jeevan Saathi"

"Aaja Re O Mere Dilbar Aaja" from "Noorie"

"Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si" from "Anamika"

"Chhoti Si Kahani Se" from "Ijaazat"

"Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera Toda" from "Amanush"

Tamil Film Songs on Darbari Kanada

"Thamizha Thamizha" from "Roja"

"Kalyana Maalai" from "Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal"

"Kadhal Rojave" from "Roja"

"Kaattukuyilu" from "Thalapathi"

"En Veettu Thottathil" from "Gentleman"

"Mangalyam Thanthunanena" from "Alaipayuthey"

"Malare Mounama" from "Karna"

"Kadhal Sadugudu" from "Alaipayuthey"

"Enna Vilai Azhage" from "Kadhalar Dhinam"

"Uyire Uyire" from "Bombay"

Malayalam Film Songs on Darbari Kanada

“Aalaapanam” from “Ente Sooryaputhrikku”

“Thaamara Noolinaal” from “Mullavalliyum Thenmaavum”

“Manassin Manichimizhil” from “Arayannangalude Veedu”

“Junile Nilamazhayil” from “Nammal Thammil”

“Shilayil Ninnum Unaruu Nee” from “Chronic Bachelor”

“Azhake Nin” from “Amaram”

“Thoomanjin Nenchilothungi” from “Samooham”

“Ponnil Kulichu Ninnu” from “Sallapam”

“Shivadam Shivanaamam” from “Mazhavillu”

“Aathmaavin Pushtakathaalil” from “Mazhayuthum Munpe”

I hope you enjoyed the read. Do listen to these songs and let me know if you liked them as well! 🙂

The Story of the Corpse Queen: A Forbidden Love Story

Being born an Indian, I’ve read and heard a lot about the love story of Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal in the name of his lover Mumtaz. Well, I’m not a Shah Jahan fan for the fact that it’s nothing worth glorifying (given the facts of his multiple marriages before Mumtaz and marrying Mumtaz’s sister after her death, and the cruel chopping off of hands of the workers who built the Taj Mahal). Today I’m narrating a classic example of a love story, though it has a tragic end. 

The story happens in the 14th century in Portugal. Peter I was the then King Afonso IV’s son. The King wanted a suitable wife for his son, but Peter was not interested in getting married. Done with Peter’s rejection of marriage proposals from the native kingdom, King Afonso finally decided to get Peter married off to Constance Manuel of a neighbouring kingdom Castile, as a strategic alliance between the two kingdoms. Though this marriage did take place against Peter’s will, he almost instantly fell in love with Ines de Castro, who was a lady-in-waiting to Constance. Ines was a noblewoman from Galicia, Spain. As the legend goes, Peter was never emotionally close to his legally married wife, instead his heart went to Ines whom he secretly married.

King Afonso came to know of his son’s infidelity, and was furious. This hidden relationship seemed to be a threat to the stability of the kingdom of Portugal, and he finally decided to put an end to their love story. The King ordered Ines and her children (fathered by Peter) to be sent away from the city. Ines retreated to her family estate, where Peter secretly met Ines and continued their relationship in secrecy. 

The King later commissioned a group of assassins to have Ines killed. There are various versions of this murder. Some say that she was stabbed to death, while there are accounts that say that she was beheaded. This brutal murder happened in her children’s presence. 

This news reached Peter through his trusted sources, and this left Peter in a mix of grief and anger. He kept his feelings to himself till he rose to the throne as the next King, so that he can pay back the assassins for the loss he suffered. 

When Peter ascended to the throne as King Peter I, he decided to take revenge on those who brought an end to the love of his life. He found the assassins and punished them brutally. It is also said that the prisoners were tied to posts and their hearts were removed from the back, for “those who killed an innocent woman could not have a heart”. 

King Peter I also exhumed Ines’ corpse and placed her on the regal throne, as a gesture of his undying love for his beloved. Ines hence becomes the “corpse queen” of Portugal. Peter also demanded that after his death, his body had to be placed next to the resting body of Ines. Still not over his revenge, he commissioned Ines’ tomb to be designed in such a way that it was carried by humans, the men who actually harmed and killed her. 

Though this is a tragic love story, it also tells us the story of the power of love. 

I found this story very interesting, and thought I’ll do my further research and take it to you. It’s time we stop glorifying Shah Jahan, isn’t it? :)

Days in the Dark

I lay awake in my prison cell,

Locked inside a scary space.

Though the night outside is glittery,

All I see is the darkness within.

I'm confined to this cage,

For the period of my unjust sentence.

Though I accept my crime,

All I did was to love, and for love. 

The final day is not too far,

And I know I'll be happy again.

Though I should be thrilled about it,

All I feel is numbness in and out. 

These days of dreadful solitude, 

Has engulfed me into its vacuum.

Though tomorrow may seem brighter,

All I can think of now is pain.

Interesting Facts About Chinese Work Culture

During one or the other point in life, we all have had a Chinese connection - in the form of gadgets, mobile apps, toys, stationery, and so on... I took an extra mile, walked a bit more in that direction and worked for a Chinese company. To be frank, today I won't be surprised if you compare anything of low quality to a Chinese product. The "Chinese" quality is something the country has owned, and the people in it wear it like tradition. 

I have worked for a crypto trading exchange that was born in China. Later, when the crypto services got banned in China, they decided to change their headquarters to Dubai, which is a global hub for any kind of business to flourish. Now comes the fun part of a Chinese company trying to have a grip on the Dubai market. Just like the cheap products manufactured in China, the Chinese believe in selling their cheap ideas to the world. 

There are some interesting observations I'd like to share with you:

• Organizational structure

If you're to join a typical Chinese company, make sure that you sell your backbone before you join. Don't be surprised if you see kids as managers and experienced professionals as executives under them. This is how it works here. Thus, your experience has nothing to do with your caliber. Another interesting nature of the structure is that, all the main heads would be Chinese. If you happen to see any non-Chinese in a managerial position, be sure that the person is going to be an ex employee. The Chinese management has a way of knocking out managers who don't belong to their community. Also, all the major corporate decisions will be made only by the Chinese. 

• Peanut brains and sky-high dreams

Dreaming big is no sin, but you need to have an average level of IQ to be eligible to dream big. The fun part about the Chinese is that they have the audacity to dream big even with their molecular brains. Even with old-fashioned ideas and their frog-in-the-well attitude, they dream of conquering the world by competing with big brands that rule the industry. (Once when I gave some placeholder text "Lorem ipsum" for designing a template, a Chinese guy came to me saying "This is not in English, I don't understand this.". To my wonder, he was a Content Writer himself, that too a bilingual writer!

• Work till you die

The Chinese are never tired of work. Despite being a workaholic, I've not understood the way they work. I see my Chinese colleagues always active at work, both online and offline. Whether it's a weekend or in the middle of the night, I see them awake and working, making me curious about their sleep patterns. Smart work is something unheard of in the Chinese circle, they believe in drying for work. 

• Budget vs Expectations

I belonged to the marketing department of the company. When it comes to marketing, or work in general, you either spend more to get better returns, or you set realistic expectations on your cheap budget. Here with this Chinese company, they expect to be displayed on Burj Khalifa without really spending anything worthy. 

So these are my personal observations about the Chinese work culture. If you, as a reader, have anything to say/comment on this, or if you have other observations to share, let me hear you in the comments. :)

മടിയുടെ ശാസ്ത്രം

Disclaimer: ഈ ബ്ലോഗ് ആരുടെയെങ്കിലും ജീവിതകഥയുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടതാണ് എന്ന് നിങ്ങൾക്ക് തോന്നിയെങ്കിൽ അത് തികച്ചും യാദൃശ്ചികം അല്ല, സ്വാഭാവികം മാത്രമാണ്.

എന്തുകൊണ്ട് മടി ഉണ്ടാവുന്നു? എന്തുകൊണ്ട് എല്ലാർക്കും ഒരുപോലെ മടി ഇല്ല? സ്വന്തം കാര്യങ്ങൾ ഒന്നും ചെയ്യാൻ എന്തുകൊണ്ട് തോന്നുന്നില്ല ചിലർക്ക്?

ഇങ്ങനെ പല ചോദ്യങ്ങൾ ചിലരെ കാണുമ്പോൾ മനസ്സിൽ വരാറുണ്ട്, എന്നാൽ മടിയുടെ പിന്നിലെ ശാസ്ത്രം തപ്പി പോകാൻ എനിക്ക് സമയം ഇല്ലാത്തതുകൊണ്ട് ഇത് എഴുതാൻ വൈകിപ്പോയി, അല്ലാതെ എനിക്ക് മടി ആയതുകൊണ്ടാണ് എന്ന് നിങ്ങൾ തെറ്റിദ്ധരിക്കണ്ട. 

മടി പിടിച്ചു ഇരിക്കുന്ന ഒരാളെ കാണുമ്പോൾ എനിക്ക് കിട്ടുന്ന ഒരു പ്രചോദനം ഉണ്ട്...ഒരിക്കലും അങ്ങനെ ആകാതിരിക്കാനുള്ള പ്രചോദനം. ഞാൻ കണ്ടും കേട്ടും എനിക്കറിയാവുന്ന ചില മടിയന്മാരെയും മടിച്ചികളെയും ഒന്ന് നിരീക്ഷിച്ചിപ്പോൾ മനസ്സിലായിട്ടുള്ള ഒരു പൊതുസ്വഭാവം ഉണ്ട്. ഇവർക്ക് ഒരു കാര്യത്തിലും ലക്ഷ്യബോധം  ഉണ്ടാവില്ല. ചുരുക്കി പറഞ്ഞാൽ, പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് ഒരു പണിയും ഇല്ലാത്തവർ ആയിരിക്കും ഇവരൊക്കെ. 

ചില രസകരമായ ഉദാഹരണങ്ങൾ പറയാം:

1. ചായ അരിക്കാൻ ഉള്ള മടി കാരണം ഹോർലിക്സ് ഉണ്ടാക്കി കുടിക്കുന്നവർ

2. സ്വന്തം അടിവസ്ത്രം കഴുകാൻ ഉള്ള മടിക്ക് വീണ്ടും പോയി പുതിയത് വാങ്ങുന്നവർ

3. ആരെങ്കിലും വാഷിംഗ് മെഷീൻ ഓൺ ആക്കുന്നത് വരെ മെഷീനിൽ തുണികൾ എന്നും കൂട്ടിയിടുന്നവർ 

4. ഉണരുമ്പോൾ ഒരു ചായ തരാൻ വീട്ടിൽ ഭാര്യ ഇല്ലാത്തതു കൊണ്ട് (ഭാര്യക്ക് വേറെ ജോലി ഉണ്ടല്ലോ..) വീട്ടിൽ ജോലിക്കാരിയെ വെക്കുന്നവർ

 

5. വീട്ടുജോലി ചെയ്യാൻ ഉള്ള മടിക്ക് എന്നും അസുഖം അഭിനയിക്കുന്നവർ (ഇവരൊക്കെ അസുഖത്തിന്റെ ലക്ഷണം വെച്ച് എന്നോ തട്ടിപ്പോകേണ്ടവർ ആണ്)

6. എന്നും കുക്ക് ചെയ്യാൻ ഉള്ള മടി കാരണം ഒരു കിലോ കടല കൊണ്ട് കറി വെച്ച് ഫ്രിഡ്ജിൽ വെക്കുന്നവർ

7. വീട്ടിലെ പണിയെടുക്കാനുള്ള മടി കാരണം മര്യാദക്ക് ശമ്പളം ഇല്ലെങ്കിൽ പോലും ജോലിക്ക് പോകുന്നവർ (ഈ മടി വീട്ടിൽ അമ്മയോ അമ്മായിയമ്മയോ ഉള്ളവരിൽ മാത്രം ആണ് കണ്ടുവരുന്നത്) 

ഇങ്ങനെ നീണ്ട് പോകും ലിസ്റ്റ്...

ഇനി എന്റെ കാര്യം പറയാം. എനിക്കുമുണ്ട് ഒരു മടി... ഒരു പ്രത്യേക തരം മടി ആണ്. നാളെ പണിയെടുക്കാൻ ഉള്ള മടിക്ക് ഞാൻ അതൊക്കെ ഇന്ന് തന്നെ ചെയ്തുവെക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കും.. നാളെ എനിക്ക് വെറുതെ ഇരിക്കാലോ..എപ്പടി! 

മടി പിടിച്ച് ഇങ്ങനെ അവനവനും ചുറ്റുമുള്ളവർക്കും ഒരു ഉപകാരവുമില്ലാതെ ജീവിക്കുന്നവരോട് എനിക്ക് ചിലത് ചോദിക്കാനുണ്ട്. 

നിങ്ങൾക്ക് മടുക്കാറില്ലേ? 

വർഷങ്ങൾ കഴിഞ്ഞ് തിരിഞ്ഞ് നോക്കുമ്പോൾ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് വിഷമം തോന്നില്ലേ ഇങ്ങനെ സമയം കളഞ്ഞതിൽ?

മുന്നേറിപ്പോയ മറ്റുള്ളവരെ കാണുമ്പോൾ അസൂയ തോന്നില്ലേ?

അവസാനമായി ചോദിക്കുന്നു.. എങ്ങനെ പറ്റുന്നു ഇതൊക്കെ?

എനിക്കൊന്നേ നിങ്ങളോട് പറയാനുള്ളു...നമിച്ചു മക്കളേ..നമിച്ചു 🙏

നിങ്ങളൊക്കെ എന്നും എന്നെപ്പോലെ ഉള്ളവർക്ക് പ്രചോദനം ആവട്ടെ എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞുകൊണ്ട് ഞാൻ നിർത്തുന്നു!

A Dance That Shook The World - An Ode To Turkey & Syria

My heart goes out to the withered and struggling lives in Turkey and Syria.

The chilling nature who stood still,

Once decided to dance her way,

Inflicting a stir around as she moved,

Causing the world a great loss.

Thousands took their last breath,

While countless lost their shelters and families.

Rescuers sweat day and night,

Holding on to a fading hope.

The city that was once smiling, 

Turned to a mass of shattered rubble.

Homes that were once full of laughter,

Declined to a mass of bloody dust.

The nature stopped her dance and left,

Leaving behind a cracked dance floor,

Leaving an air of cold death,

Leaving the whole earth mourning.