Azhi Mazhaikanna by Vijay Kannan

on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8gqg1G4dPow

Download links:
Bandcamp: https://indianmusicfan.bandcamp.com/track/azhi-mazhaikanna
Apple and others: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/vijaykannan/azhi-mazhaikanna

For the sixth release, here is the Andal Tiruppavai set to Varaali ragam, Azhi Mazhaikanna. One of my very favorite tiruppavai set in one of my very favorite ragas.

Credits:
Song: Azhi Mazhaikanna (Tiruppavai)
Ragam: Varaali
Talam: Adi
Kodhai Andal

Arrangement, Flute, Video: Vijay Kannan
https://compiled.social/VijayKannan
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Andal, also called Goda Devi, is revered for her devotion to Lord Krishna. So great was her devotion to the Lord, whom she looked upon as her husband, that she refused to marry anyone else. She would not even consider anyone else for that position - could any mere mortal even try to compete with the matchless spirit of the Supreme Lord - the embodiment of all perfection? 

Long ago (between 5th to 9th century), in Srivilliputhur, near Madurai, Vishnu Chittar, who is reverently called Periyalvar (biggest among Alvars), found a little girl in his garden. He named her Goda Devi (gift from the earth). Periyalvar, who had no other children, brought up the little girl with great love and affection, and stories of Lord Krishna. He himself was a great devotee of the Lord, of Vatapatrasayi Krishna (Krishna who lies on a leaf as a baby).

At a young age, Andal fell in Love with Krishna, and resolved to marry none other. Fore she turned 16, Andal is said to have merged with Lord Ranganatha (Krishna, as He lies reclining on the bed of serpents, in SriRangam). Andal, who is considered to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, returned to Her eternal abode in Him.

Only 2 of her poems are known - Thiruppavai (sacred vow), 30 verses that describe His activities in Vrindavana, and Nachiyar Thirumozhi (sacred sayings of the Goddess), 143 verses describing her intense longing for Him. Rich in poetic beauty, these are considered a gift to literature. 

In Thiruppavai, even as Andal describes Krishna's boyhood activities (when the Lord came down in a human avatar), aren't distant third person narratives, but speak of her passion for Him. Eloquent passion it was - unlike 'human passions' that must 'steer free of sin' and are often fickle, divine passion can take up eloquence that mere mortals cannot afford to (and indeed, 'passion' bestowed upon another human is wasted passion.) As she says in one of her poems, that she does not wish to be 'cured' of her affliction, only wishes for His lotus feet, that are the only cure. 

Her poems are not only a part of 'carnatic music' but are recited or chanted in devotion by even those non-musicians, by ardent devotees of the Lord, in hope of evoking Supreme devotion in their own hearts. To go beyond rituals and mere lip service, to truly find Him. 

Azhi mazhai kanna is a verse from Thiruppavai. Andal envisages Him as the Lord who showers rain. 

Oh Lord, who is deep as the ocean, who showers rain, would You shower thy rain of Bliss on those parched for You. 

Magnificence is thy form, thy body dark as storm clouds.

This universe - that within, and all without - thy hands hold - infinite power, infinite mercy, infinite blessing, all lie in them.

As the quiver of arrows from thy bow, showers rain for all life in the universe, would you shower inner bliss on those longing for You, thirsting for You.

Please click on the albums to navigate to the individual tracks. Individual tracks can be downloaded separately.
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Electrical Engineer, Flautist, Indian Musician;

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