Ragalu, Cine Geetalu: Confluence of two genres

Dr Kodati Sambaiah’s book ‘Ragalu, Cine Geetalu’ explores the use of Carnatic ragas in Telugu film songs

He was a child when he began listening avidly to Telugu film songs; that was in the 1960s and 70s. It was only much later when he was 40 that he began learning Carnatic music.

Now, 62-year-old Dr Kodati Sambaiah’s love of both genres of music has culminated in the publication of a Telugu book titled Ragalu Cine Geetalu , which explores Carnatic music ragas in general and the use of ragas in Telugu film music.

The book explores 108 ragas, with one chapter devoted to each. Each chapter in turn has three segments: a brief explanation of the raga and its place in Carnatic music, along with the most famous compositions in that raga and their vaggeyakaras; a second is a list of 10 Telugu film songs in that particular raga; and a final segment on some information on the sahitya bhava of that film song and how and why that raga was selected for that particular film song, by which composer and lyricist and who sang that song.

Here are a few samples of the ragas covered in the book, the song in that raga and the film in which the song featured: Hamsadhwani raga:

Sri Raghuram Jaya Raghuram song (from Shanti Nivasam ) ; Kedaragoula: Aligina velane choodali ( Gundamma Katha ); Shubha pantuvarali: Venuvai vacchanu bhuvanaaniki ( Maatru Devobhava ); Abheri: Nannu dochu kunduvate vannela dorasani ( Gulebakaavali Katha ); Kambhoji: Rasika raja taguvaramu kadaa ( Jayabheri ); Bhairavi: Ninu chera manasaayera naa saami ( Bobbili Yuddham ); Valaji: Vasanta galiki valapulu rega ( Shrikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha ); Athana: Joharu Sikhi Pincha Mouli ( Shri Krishna Vijayam ); Saveri: Kala idanee nija midanee ( Devadasu ); and Khamas: Yenduke neekinta tondaraa ( Malleeswari ).

Tryst with Carnatic music

About beginning to learn classical music at the age of 40, the Warangal-based physician, Dr Sambaiah explains: “It was around 1997 that I heard M S Subbulakshmi’s rendition of saint-composer Annamacharya’s famous composition

Bhavayami Gopalabalam (Yamankalyani raga) over a mike, while I was walking past a temple. I paused to listen. Right from childhood, I had been a lover of Telugu literature, especially poetry. So, I was particularly impressed by these words from that song...

kaṭi-ghaṭita-mēkhalā khacita-maṇi-ghaṇṭikā . What a great lyric and what beautiful poetry I thought.”

He recalls that the next morning, he purchased an entire set of Balaji Pancharatna Mala audio-cassettes of Annamacharya kirtanas rendered by MS which were produced and sold by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.

Dr Sambaiah continues: “I listened to all the Annamayya kirtanas in that bunch. I understood the sahitya but the name of the ragas were a novelty and puzzle to me. So I purchased Gaana Kala Bodhini by NC Pardhasaradhi, the classic on Carnatic music. However, the book was incomprehensible; I could not even understand the basics like the difference between ‘shuddha rishabham’ and ‘chatushruti rishabham’. So I approached a music teacher Lanka Vijayalaxmi garu and began learning Carnatic music. I also began reading up whatever I could find on ragas in essays written by great masters like Sripada Pinakapani and many others, as well as by historians of Telugu film music and magazines on classical music like Sruti and Ganakala.”

Two months after he began his Carnatic music classes, his wife was inspired by his efforts and she joined the local music college and acquired a diploma in Carnatic music. This meant more discussions about music at home, eventually leading to this book.

It took him around one year to write this book. “I owe a lot to the many greats and others before me who researched these subjects and shared their knowledge in books and essays,” he says.

Why did he not present a video or audio CD along with this music book as many practising musicians do? “Oh, it did seem to be a good idea and I did make efforts. However, there were countless issues regarding copyrights and payment hassles with film producers, audio-companies and music directors. So, I gave it up,” he replies with a sigh of regret.

What does Dr Sambaiah hope to achieve by this book? He states: “I want to make Telugus aware of the rich heritage of classical music in their film songs. I also hope that by listening to raga-based film songs, at least some people will realise the beauty of Carnatic music and begin learning the same.”

Ragalu-Cine Geetalu

compiled by Dr Kodati Sambaiah

Kathyayani Publications

Telugu, 284 pages, Price: ₹300.

For copies: Dr Kodati Sambaiah

Call 9700600097/ email: drkodatisambayya1976@gmail.com