BHAVAYAMI RAGHURAMAM | A Musical Journey Through the Ramayana | Santhosh Subramanian |

‘Bhavayami Raghuramam’ Raga: Ragamalika (Garland of Ragas) Composer: Maharaja Swathi Thirunal This iconic composition is a majestic condensation of the entire Ramayana. Written by the scholar-king of erstwhile Travancore, Swathi Thirunal, it was originally composed in Raga Saaveri but was later brilliantly re-set as a Ragamalika by the legendary Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. The song traverses through the six Kandas (chapters) of the epic—from the birth of Rama to his coronation—offering a panoramic musical vision of the Lord’s life. Each section transitions seamlessly into a new raga, mirroring the shifting moods of the narrative, from the celebratory spirit of the Balakanda to the heroic intensity of the Yuddhakanda. It remains one of the most technically demanding yet spiritually uplifting pieces in the Carnatic repertoire. The piece flows through a sequence of distinct ragas, including Saaveri, Natakurinji, Dhanyasi, Mohanam, Mukhari, Purvikalyani and Madhyamavati. This structure allows the performer to showcase a vast spectrum of emotional colours, moving from the meditative and poignant to the bright and triumphant. Vocal: Santhosh Subramanian Mridangam: Dhyan Rangarajan Santhosh Subramanian: A Chennai-based professional Carnatic vocalist and disciple of Shertalai Dr. K. N. Renganatha Sharma, Santhosh brings a scholarly depth to this epic composition. His rendition is marked by the rhythmic precision and clear diction necessary to navigate the dense Sanskrit lyrical transitions. Following his guru’s tradition, he balances the complex melodic shifts of the ragamalika with a steady devotional focus, ensuring the narrative of the Ramayana remains at the forefront. Dhyan Rangarajan: A Chennai-based mridangam player, Dhyan provides the essential rhythmic grounding for this multi-faceted piece. His accompaniment is particularly noted for its agility during the raga-mudras (where the name of the raga is woven into the lyrics) and the spirited chitta-swara segments, providing a dynamic pulse that matches the grandeur of the composition. Concept: Sreekumar Pillai Creative input: Ramakrishnan Sarma Photography, Editing: Desmond Fernandez Production Manager: Suresh Kodunganoor Equipment and crew: Karma, Chennai Live recording: Mukilan Sundar Catering: Amudha Caterers, Chennai Studio: B Musicians, Chennai Production: Silent River Media Mixing and Mastering: Santhosh Karunakaran Thampi Direction: Santhosh Karunakaran Thampi