Dasarathi Nee Runamu / Thodi / Adi / Thyagaraja / M S Subbulakshmi

Krithi: Dasarathi Ni Runamu Ragam: Thodi Thalam: Adi Composer: Thyagaraja Vocal: M S Subbulakshmi Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi (M. S. Subbulakshmi), born on September 16, 1916, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, was an iconic Carnatic vocalist and one of the greatest musicians India has ever produced. Raised in a musical family, her mother, Shanmukhavadivu, was a renowned veena player, which exposed her to classical music at an early age. She made her public debut at just 13 years old at the prestigious Madras Music Academy, earning widespread acclaim. M. S. Subbulakshmi’s voice, rich in purity and devotion, became synonymous with Bhakti (devotional) music, and she popularized compositions of great saints such as Tyagaraja, Purandara Dasa, Annamacharya, and Meera Bai. Her renditions of the Vishnu Sahasranamam, Bhaja Govindam, and Venkatesa Suprabhatam remain timeless and are played in temples and homes worldwide. Apart from Carnatic music, she also had training in Hindustani music, making her a versatile artist. She was not only a musician but also briefly an actress, starring in Tamil films like Sevasadanam (1938) and Meera (1945), the latter of which made her famous across India for her soul-stirring bhajans. Her contribution to music extended beyond India, as she was the first Indian musician to perform at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966 and gave concerts at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall (London) and Carnegie Hall (New York). She was a recipient of numerous awards, including India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna (1998), the Padma Bhushan (1954), Padma Vibhushan (1975), and the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1974) for public service through music. A deeply humble and philanthropic person, she donated much of her earnings to charities and temples. She was married to T. Sadasivam, a freedom fighter and journalist, who played a crucial role in shaping her career. M. S. Subbulakshmi passed away on December 11, 2004, in Chennai, leaving behind a rich legacy of devotion, humility, and unparalleled music that continues to inspire generations. Vocal Support : Radha Viswanathan & Vijaya Rajendran Violin: Kandadevi Alagiriswamy Mridangam: T K Murthy Ganjira : V Nagarajan Ghadam: Vikku Vinayakram ( Concert on 7 February 1979 at Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Singapore ) According to traditional accounts passed down by earlier scholars and musicians, Ganesh Bhave, a highly accomplished musician from Varanasi, felt a lingering emptiness despite his vast musical knowledge. One night, Rama appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to travel to South India to meet Thyagaraja. Bhave undertook the journey, met the saint-composer, and listened to his music in a state of spiritual ecstasy. When he revealed the divine vision that had led him there, Thyagaraja was deeply moved and filled with humility, overwhelmed that Lord Rama Himself had directed a seeker from a distant land to him. In a burst of devotion, Thyagaraja composed the krithi “Dasarathi Nee Runamu,” declaring that it is impossible for any human being to repay the debt (ṛṇamu) of Rama’s grace. In the song, Thyagaraja tells Rama that he would remain forever indebted to him for initiating him into the path of bhakti. He says that Rama appeared in his dream and taught him compositions that would reveal to the world that true devotion ( not mere poetic brilliance or musical scholarship devoid of bhakti ) is the means to attain both worldly happiness and spiritual liberation. Pallavi Dasarathi ni Runamu dirpa na tarama parama pavana nama Anupallavi Ashadira dura drshamulanu prakashimpa jesina rasika shiromani Charanam Bhaktileni kavijala varenyulu bhava meruga lerani kalilona jani Bhukti mukti galgunani kirtanamula bodhinchina tyagaraja kararchita --------------------------------------- Meaning: O Rama, son of Dasaratha, O Lord whose holy name sanctifies all, How can I ever repay the debt I owe you? O Rama, crown jewel among the connoisseurs of music, You fulfilled my desire and made my name shine even in distant lands. O son of Dasaratha, whose sacred name sanctifies all how can I ever repay the debt I owe you? O Rama, worshipped by the hands of this Thyagaraja, Realizing that poets of great literary skill but devoid of devotion can never understand the true spirit of bhakti, You appeared in this Kali Yuga and taught sacred compositions whose singing grants both worldly joy and spiritual liberation. O son of Dasaratha, whose holy name sanctifies all, how can I ever repay the debt I owe you? --------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: These songs have been uploaded solely for listening pleasure and as an archive to preserve Carnatic music. I do not intend to violate any copyrights held by the respective owners of these songs. I do not own any copyright to the content uploaded. If any material infringes on your copyright, please notify me, and I will promptly remove it from my YouTube channel.