In the famous Temple of south India, Sri Rangam, a tradition is still kept alive, to play music for the pleasure of the Deity along with texts of praises by the tamil saints, the Alwars. All these songs are played for tousand of years now, and preserved on this release with natural surroundings from Sri Rangam. A really special CD. Listen for yourself

Veena: "Sri Rangam Periyakoil Veena Miras" Prof. G.Rangarajan & Sons

Mrdangam: Sri Mushnam K. Rengarajan

1.   Intro with Hindola Raga

2.   Thirupalli Yaluchi by Tondaradipodi Alwar in Bhopalam Raga/Adi Tala 

3.   Part Two in Bilahari Raga/Adi Tala

4.   Thiruppallandu by Periyalwar in Senjuruti Raga/Adi Tala

5.   9 different Ragas of the day

6.   Periya Thirumozhi by Tirumangai Alwar in Vasabtha Muhari Raga/Adi Tala

7.   Thiruvaimozhi by Nammalwar in Saveri Raga/Adi Tala

8.   Nagumomu Ganale Krithi by Thyagaraja in Abheri Raga/Adi Tala

9.   Periyalwar Thirumoli by Periyalwar in Karahapriya Raga/Adi Tala

10.  Thiruppavai by Andal in Muhari Raga/Chapu Tala

11.  Perumal Thirumoli by Kulashekara in Neelambari Raga/Adi Tala

12.  Conclusion on Madhyamavathi Ragam and Thanam

13.-16. Live recording on Vaikuntha Ekadasi Festival 2001 in Sri Rangam

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Sri Veenai Prof. Rangarajan

Starting only in a very young age (around 6 years old) Mr. Prof. Rangarajan has started to play the Veenai Instrument in the service of the Lord Ranganatha Temple near Trichy (south India) 60 years ago.

He learned the classical Music (Raagas) along with the ancient prayers of the tamil poets, the 12 Alwars, to set them for the temple rituals done in the holy shrine of Sri Rangam. On Vaikuntha Ekadasi (once a year in winter time) he and all his sons will play in a special style the veenais inside the holy shrine of Lord Ranganatha (in standing position and while walking backword with the face to the God).

Otherwise every day he will wake up and bring to sleep with his Veenai the temple activities and the Lord inside the sanctorum. As there are at least 4000 ancient tamil songs set into music by the holy Alwar saints, there is a huge resource of classical Music lying hidden in the holy sand of Sri Rangam.

Now his son Srinivasa has taken over the music duties inside the temple, as Mr. Prof. Rangarajan has retired from all services. Only on Festivals he might give strength and support for the future generations in the music field of Tamil Nadu.