Chakkani Raja Margamu / Kharaharapriya / Adi / Thyagaraja / Madurai Mani Iyer

Krithi: Chakkani Raja Margamu Ragam: Kharaharapriya Thalam: Adi Composer: Thyagaraja Vocal : Madurai Mani Iyer Madurai Mani Iyer, whose original name was Subramanian, was born to M. S. Ramaswamy Iyer and Subbulakshmi in Madurai on 25 October 1912. His father, a Sub-court Clerk, was the brother of the famous Vidwan Pushpavanam, who was a great classical musician himself. Mani Iyer was famous for his unique style. He was one of the most highly celebrated carnatic vocalists during the first half of the 20th century. He was renowned for his adept skills at singing kalpana swarams, neraval, and raga alapana. His music continues to be highly regarded today. His first guru was Sri Rajam Bhagavathar and later studied under Sri Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar, the great composer and an authority in Carnatic Music. His concert pattern was well appreciated and recognized for its variety. There was a balance in selection of songs. Though his concerts were packed with a good number of trinity compositions, he would gently introduce many great tamil krithis of Papanasam Sivan , Gopalakrishna Bharathiar and those of other Tamil composers. The point to note here is that is he used to present the tamil compositions mostly in major ragas like Kalyani, Kamboji, Bhairavi, Thodi. Thus the Tamil compostions in those major ragas were well received by the audience and found a permanent place in the concert world. The full credit of popularizing Tamil Krithis in the major ragas goes singularly to Madurai Mani Iyer. He passed away on 8 June 1968 at the age of 55. Vocal Support: T S Vembu Iyer Violin: V.Govindaswamy Naicker Mridangam: Coimbatore N Ramaswamy Ganjira : Ramanathapuram M N Kandaswamy In the krithi “Chakkani Raja Margamu,” Thyagaraja Swamy advises his mind to follow the noble and straightforward royal path of devotion to Lord Rama rather than seeking complicated or misleading shortcuts. Through simple yet powerful comparisons, he explains that sincere bhakti is the highest and most rewarding spiritual path. The composer praises Rama’s divine beauty and the greatness of his name, declaring that true peace and fulfillment come from unwavering devotion and surrender to the Lord. Pallavi Chakkani raja margamu lundaga sandula doora nele O manasa Anupallavi Chikkani palu meegada lundaga cheeyanu ganga sagara mele Charanam Kantiki sundara taramagu roopame , mukkantiki nota chelage namame Tyagarajintane baga nelakonnadi daivame itu vanti sree saketa ramuni bhakthi yane. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Meaning: When there is an excellent king's way, why do you go on bylanes? Oh my heart. When there is pure milk and cream, why do you go for the most abhorred liquor? He has the most beautiful appearence. His name is chanted by Siva the three eyed. He is the God that is worshipped at Tyagaraja's home. Devotion to this kind of Saketa Rama is the right path, Oh my heart. ----------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER : These songs have been uploaded for hearing pleasure only and as an archive for Carnatic music. By this I don't wish to violate any copyrights owned by the respective owners of these songs if any. I don't own any copyright of the songs myself. If anything is in violation of the copyright you own, then please let me know, I shall remove it from my Youtube channel.