RaGa CANDID EP04 - Music, noise and more... 

I like the take away of your episode - shut out the world and focus on your goal/target like Arjuna. And everyone can be an Arjuna. In your last episode you had talked about your music teacher who waited for you to come despite heavy rains and the whole area going dark due to power cut. Probably his deed taught you silently like Dakshinamurthy this philosophy of doing what you are set to do regardless. That story reminded me of my own maths teacher nearly 30 years ago. After finishing his day job in the then P&T, he (an engineer) wd ride his bicycle 4 kms to reach our place (around 5.30 pm) to teach maths on and on until (say 9.30 pm) we feel guilty and remind him that he has a long way to go and take care of his young family. And we paid a pittance for his teaching even by those days standards! You are not walking the talk! You are sharing the 'walk'! Pl keep passing on these valuable messages thru sharing your life experiences for more than preaching it is these lived moments that carry powerful impact.

I still remember the smile on your faces when my son cried in the middle of the concert at the Santa Clara convention center.. :) now I know the reason for the composure and calmness..

'Don't run away.' 😄😂 we will only run towards you. When an activity is carried out for 21 days, it becomes a habit and when practiced for 42 days it becomes our character. Today is the 21st day since the inception of RaGa Candid & both of you have become a part of our daily lives. We watch RaGa Candid on Mondays & ur renditions everyday. Love you both ❤️

7:15 it's difficult for me to control my laughter even though I saw it like 100 times😂..... Anyways, I'm from Madhya Pradesh and getting to know about Carnatic music from you RaGa ma'am, such a great conversation... Thankyou for making this amazing series, feels like sitting with you and listening to your amazing music and humorous chats....🙏🏼

Another important life lesson in the 15 minutes presentation, that should be followed by everyone, irrespective of age! This comes from Legends like you, will have a great impact on everyone, especially women!

Namaskaram, I am following this episode from day 1, but this one is really is a beautiful . I realise what has made you stand out as an artist, not the music alone which has made you to this top position, but your balancing mentality. Really feeling happy for you both. I am one such, as you have mentioned, of many women, trying to balance family, music . Anusha Sreeram , Disciple of Kum.Kanyakumari (teaching violin and vocal)

Thank you for the inspiration 🙏 I have picked up carnatic music as a child and left it then commencing it a couple of years ago after my second child was born. I love music and no matter how much difficulties or hurdles I face with the responsibilities, I don't feel the urge to quit music. You are both are a great inspiration to me.

No wonder you move on with a smile when there is disturbance during concerts. In a open hall or temple or in some sabhas we hear train sounds, you just continue without any fuss. Awesome

Love how you can even be out of sync, in perfect sync! The icing on the cake was hearing you sing one of the most banal Bollywood songs, haha! Beautiful episode all round.

It’s yet another heart filling rendering along with the way you practiced like Arjuna was exemplary. I can imagine when you narrated about Matunga and the apartment surrounded by so many varied noise levels. Hats off to you and your supporting family too. I pray that you continue to release these videos so that the generation younger than you can learn from them.

You both are setting an example of women carrying both profession and family in a very balanced way. and achieving the highest order of both Let these young women learn from this from you both. God bless u dear RaGa sisters as example for real womanhood.

Thanks a lot for inspiring music students and lovers with your experience based golden words. I am a mother, who has taken up learning music after a long gap. There are moments when I doubt my decision and abilities. After listening to your talks, I am invigorated. Please continue to inspire! Love your music and your lovely conversations.

This was such an inspiring video ma'ams. As a dental student I hardly get time to do anything else other than studying, practicals and clinic. Having learnt carnatic music for over 14 years always makes me feel like I should somehow find the time to learn new keerthanams. This video has given me an inspiration to continue doing so. Thank you so so much❤

Nice memories! It took me back to my early days wherein we room in our house used to hear my amma teaching vocal, violin classes everyday for almost 10 hours,! We had only a living and kitchen , used to study by hearing, learning , practicing amidst loud speakers, sound, used to go to upstairs terrace to sing loudly and study too! Raga Sudha Rasa - very melodic rendering,! Even now, creating space and time to listen to music and improving knowledge with family chores is interesting and boost energy,

I've never awaited Monday with so excitement.Just like what happened to ranjani akka, I was singing in excitement to check out the video during the exam a few hours back.Dear Akkas, we wish to see you soon with Violin during one of these episodes.

It was such an articulate session that I could picture the entire scene of this episode !! For most audience what is seen is the success and little is known on the efforts that go into or the strife that the performers have undergone. I request you to throw some light on the compositions ( lyrics/ music) which have influenced / taught you something about life as such .. or how much you could relate the lyrics to a daily life .... Thank you for this session. I loved it absolutely 😀

You guys are so humble!! I truly can't believe that you are also normal humans with normal homes and routines... Especially the fact that you were also once teenagers who went to school and music class... ☺... Love you ❤😘... Waiting for your concert in December ☺

Thanx for the Lovely (nowadays rarely heard) AanthoLikaa and especially, for reviving our sweet memories about Ravindra Jain's Composition Sun Saba Sun. Vow! We always experienced that a film song too sounded great when it's rendered even casually by a seasoned carnatic musician as the Gamakams come to them quite naturally and this add more colour to a song. Very much enjoyed yr short & sweet rendition of Raaga Sudha Rasa. It's all about one's Passion, Passion, Passion. You have had such an intense passion that nothing disturbed you while practising or performing. But, it's quite easy said than executing. God has given you this birth for SmaraNam and He has given us this birth to do SravaNam. It's said SravaNam is the best mode to attain the blissful state. So, we consider ourselves as more blessed than the artists as there's no tension to perform better or no pressure to maintain consistency or sustain perfection. Thru your sharing exercise under "Ra Ga Candid", you have really made us feel one among your close kith & kin and vice versa. We feel humbled by your modesty & accessibility shrugging off your popularity. Great! YES, Matunga is a place, where we Chennaites would never feel we R out of Chennai as neither the language not the food nor the ambience alienate us. Audio in this episide is found so low that we had to keep our mobile so close to our ears to avoid the Noise emanating from our external ambience. (Probably, U may find us wanting in how to remain focussed amidst external noises). Keenly awaiting for Next Monday to see you both holding the bowing instrument OR probably, one is playing the second fiddle while the other's rendering a sweet Mohana Kalyani. Thanx & Regards,

Fantastic presentation. A great thing about you both is your ability to articulate your thoughts and experiences in a clear manner to a wide spectrum of audience and keep them engaged. The messages you convey in terms of focus and time management in a busy life schedule is invaluable and applicable to folks in different professions. In addition, you demonstrate how to be the best even under the most difficult and trying circumstances simply by focusing on the goals and not to be distracted by surroundings. These are valuable lessons which youngsters should imbibe given the many distractions youngsters have every day particularly the social media which is literally robbing us all of the inability to focus on things that matter. And your smile is infectious. Keep these episodes coming! God bless.

Very Inspiring talk. For saadhana there won't be any disturbance once your mind is stable and catch hold of the pockets of practicing opportunity. Great to here. Thank you. Love to here both of your voice anytime. Lucky enough to listen to you both. All the best.

This is more than just RaGa talking about themselves. This is a video about great teachings that can impact our own lives, a philosophy of how we can find something precious to us and find joy in it no matter what happens in our lives. Blessed!

Such a great experiences madam...apart from the whole things surrounded by music such a beautiful thing🙏🙏🙏

So grateful that you are here on this planet, doing your thing as you do and being who you are! Divine musical angels spreading sweetness, light and love ! May you live long and be healthy and happy, with your families🙌🏻💕

Excellent ma'am.Well said.A single mindedness is the best to achieve any goal.Women are best of doing multi tasks.You're our inspiration.Thz for sharing your great experience for younger children.Stay blessed.You both are well disciplined artists.We learn a lot from you RaGa sisters. We all have the capacity of Arjuna..True.

The way you explain is so inspiring and motivating!!! I'm learning the violin in Carnatic style and these words of you give lots of motivation!!! Please continue doing these which will revive, motivate the Indian Carnatic Music in future ahead and your words will be a history/teachings to future students like me. !

Great madam. Its astounding that you are melted with your music in between childrens playful activities and their novices. Its astounding that music has grasped you well kudos

Absolutely delightful episode .... this RaGa candid series is taking shape in a brilliant manner. As a person who started his career in Bombay and lived there for 5 years and have rushed to the Matunga mess on Thursdays - can truly understand all the "noise" described here. Kudos for such a lively episode! Keep them coming.

my humble Praṇāms to you 🙏 I feel as if I would be drinking tea with you and listening to your stories. I was transported to your neighborhood 😆 . You are the clear example that when you are in a Sādhana you get to establish yourself in your Essence, and then all what happens around you does not shake you, being established in your Essence you have the capacity to react *properly* to the things happening around you, you respons to things comes from the joy and the peace of your Essence. And that Essence is what you transmit through your Music, which touches our own Essence. Thank you for being there 🙏

Can you also please talk about how manodharma naturally comes to a musician? How does a young musician first try it and then evolves.. Also pls talk about Hindustani music nd it's structure and terms in such a way we understand

The nostalgic trip down memory lane is always beautiful! When I used to stay in Mulund, I visit Matunga often just to feel the vibrancy of the place.Another good episode.

Very inspiring how you could keep your focus on music inspite of all the noise and chaos around. Noise is something that really bothers us after returning back to India after living in Raleigh, NC for almost 2 decades. We long for such a quiet life again.

Mam very good video for people like me for others who give lame excuses for rendering their duties.I am 55 years old but i have something to learn from u.Hats off to u.

We are privileged to get motivation from singers like you Rajaniji and Gayatriji. Please don't stop these sessions as they are very beneficial for people like us, all the sankirtanams you sing are divine nectar which we drink and grow spiritually all the experiences you share are very interesting and informative 🙏

Beautiful way to start amazing

Your presentation is really very nice. This is a lesson the youngsters who complaints about lack of time. Every episode of RaGa is getting more interesting..

Your views is the biggest source of inspiration of many. You have become an icon for many irrespective of the age. Totally focussed on the musical talks. God bless you both to inspire many many more people

I was amused by your recollection of your living space and how it defies stereotyped expectations of a musician's home. Being a parent myself, I chuckled at your description of the controlled chaos.

Aw! It was so blissful to listen to your childhood stories . It enriches out monday morning . Thank you Ranjani and gayathri.

My day completes after hearing your songs. What a great maturity you have at an young age.amazing..

Wow...what dedication towards music! Just like Arjuna. Music, to you, is like breathing. One doesn't devote time to breathing regularly. It just happens. You're such an inspiration!

So inspiring! Thankyou akkas. ❤️

Really akka you had an adventurous experience in your childhood and amidst all the disturbance you had practiced. I am also used to practice also like this.

I sent the clip to my dayughter-in-law who was in Mumbai and who is now in Seattle. She writes: it was very interesting and engrossing. I remember growing up in a noisy environment(near the airport and highways) and it never affected me until I moved here

No words to express appreciation. Just keep these coming. Love the beautiful inner selves of you coming out.

Wow .. waiting for next Monday this video makes me more Special because I do stay in Bombay and learn Carnatic music and these moments & situations do come while my practice time so this video really encourages us ... நன்றி🙏🏻

RU-vid should add a Love 💕💕💕 . Love this episode in multiple respects - Being moms, staying focused on what you were doing and something close to my heart kerala tamil. Look forward to this every week.

Wow! True Focus.dedication. surrendering to music. Godliness. ! Absolute devotion .

Thanks to both of you to have answered my question. It really helped me a lot. This series has brought you closer to your rasikas and life lessons are imparted along with music. Truly wonderful and stay blessed

What a very nice video and magical singing.

Absolutely true very nostalgic songs on Ganesha, Amman and Muruga☺

Aahaha !! What a Ragasudharasa !!An inspiring and interesting session !!

Very very nice session .you both really talented singers. No body can beat you. Keep going..god bless you both of them🙏.

Such beautiful the song was in the end....Raga sisters, Amazing....need more of such videos....

How endearing and enlightening! Lovely take on sadhana in the midst of chaos. I feel that you both take seemingly tough principles and share them with ease and poise so we all feel that we too can achieve it. Thank God for Monday mornings and RaGa candid! I feel I can now conquer my week :)

Whenever I feel down , I just watch raga candid 💜💙💜💙

I don't understand all the words but I really enjoy the topics of your conversations and the music is divine. Please continue with RaGa Candid.

So happy to see u smiling let ur legacy continue forever all my best wishes for both the sisters

Equally enjoy your stories as much as your singing😀 Please keep the videos coming every week! Happy Deepavali

Your day to day experiences and your positive attitude ,I am very much inspired. We are happy to say that we are fortunate to live in your period. May God bless you both with a healthy and a long long life. I simply adore your music and your Humility

Am a musician, and your big fan. All the episodes are very enjoyable, educative. Lot to learn from you both 🙏🙏

Very nice session .you are really another level singers. No body can match you. Keep going..god bless you both 🙏

Exact picture of a musician practicing I had in my mind too. You brought the reality out

Wonderful Ranjani Mam and Gayathri Mam..So nice of you to share these things to us..very valuable points

Thank you for virtual tour of Matunga, but insulating us from the hustle and bustle, but making us be in it like Padma Subrahmanyam would bring a complicated scene like viswarupadarsanam by mere abhinaya. Yes, we heard your music, nadasudharasam and ragasudharasam, right through even when you were not singing.

Such lovely episodes..Thanks to both of you..We will be waiting for every Monday for this episodes to get released, whole family watching together and enjoying..very motivating and inspiring for my little musician son🙏🙏

Forwarded this episode to my daughter and women relatives who are looking to get the evasive “ golden mean” in work and life. Quite interesting. Thanjs

Lovely lovely singing ladies... omg... and great message 👏👏👏👏🙂

As usual, so beautiful to listen to your journey through your musical lives ❤️

Thanks for the Beautiful sessions. Love always Ra..Ga...🙏

Amazing perspectives you both have. What you both talk is real management principles and make sense to hear from both of you because you have proved yourself. Great going. All the best to you sisters. God bless you 🙏

Always I've admired you and inspired by you but today after this episode my respect towards you has multiplied. You both are really great. It's all because of the bhakti instilled in you earlier. Thank you for sharing 🙏😍

I am sure your parents and pati played a huge role in moulding you into profound children and youth.

Waiting to hear raga candid every Monday. Very nice. Thank you.

Such a beautiful episode this is.! Truly candid! 🧡💜

Happy Deepavali raga akka. Very eagerly waiting every Monday for your conversations. Navneeth an eager fan of you here

Beautifully expressed. I will try to follow your advice. Great singing especially the bit where you come down to 'Raga sudha' from teliyu....the slant is marvelous. 🙏🏻. Last week's episode featured the kriti "Marivere gati". I am really fascinated by that song. Have been hearing it all through this week. Pranam.

Happy deepavali. O my all those fabulous moments which only tell us all how you have imbibed music into your lives and became a part of it. ❤️ And yes even I wondered how you managed this whole thing. I wish I were there to see you practicing with the kids around😊..... And Ranjani humming away in the board exam!! 😄.... As you say yes arjuna resides in all of us 🙏🙏..kudos to you and your family. We all are your fans and admirers but I want to know who you are fans of. Singers, actors and the movie which you might have watched twice.

Ranjani, Gayatri I really enjoyed all the earlier ones and looking forward for the new episode on Mondays.

RAGA Sudha rasa wonderful.beginnners can learn not only music, more from your experiences.thanks for sharing.

Although the sound was a bit low, I enjoyed every bit. True that the level of concentration is what has made u both the top singers. God bless u both.

Wow.. Great dedication.. Iam an ardent fan of you both. You are a great inspiration for the younger generation. Keep doing this kind is videos.. 🙏

Wowww🤩❤️❤️🙏 this episode has so much of Fun 😅 and the REALITY part is to the core amazing 😆 Beautiful Akkas ..

Raaga sudhaa rasaaa🙏🙏🙏👌🏻👌🏻👏👏👏👏Ma’am I can just 🙏🙏🙏 No words to say

Pls do candid sessions more

Inspiring, insightful and engaging. So blessed to be able to listen to you both.

I love the fact that you are together and inseparable

Ragasudha rasaa by -RaGa awesome Impressed by your open hearted talks

Whatever you do is so natural, interesting and inspiring. Whose idea was this, I mean, this RaGa Candid?? Absolutely brilliant. We are enjoying so much.Thanks a lot.

Waw a!What a rendition,you both sis make it look so easy but you have come a long way. Like your Ra Ga episodes on you tube .It has become a Monday ritual for me to watch and listen to your life’s experiences ! God bless you both and Happy Diwali.

This was an awesome sharing! It gave answers to many of the questions in our minds. Your focus is worth emulating! That piece of advice to grab moments for our passion is just superb. You both seem to have that extra" thing" to reach this height! Stay Blessed..This should inspire many out there!!

Lovely :) It takes a genius to be a mother & multitask :) Thanks for sharing such a beautiful perspective on your slice of life :)

Excellent candid session Ra Ga...so very true

And I just love your people's singing

மிக்க அருமையான episode

Delightful conversation, well said !

What a lovely session!just watched nd enjoyed with family as always. 2 Arjunas in front,what else a proof do v want. I brought my daughter to Mrs.Ranjanis house for a chance of any classes, she sweetly directed to Mrs.Mala Swamy with home classes r going still, thanks so much

I am big fan of yours. You have become more dear to rasikas like us through these sessions. Very lively sisters. A good narration too. You have been tuned into music at a very young age and moulded by your great father as said in the earlier episodes. In this episode, you have rightly said that one has to do sadhana amidst all the daily hastles. To reach this height at such an young age is only the fruit of your penance or yoga as Geetha says. Yes. You gave practised like Arjuna. Of course, you are fortunate to have supporting families on either side. Thank you for taking up Ragasudharasa ... My favourite kruthi. Your Sangathis of the kruthi are so enjoyable, melodious, yet unique. I have a question too. Do you both stay near each other so that you can meet and practise daily? Perfect synchronization is there in your singing, yet you have your own individual styles and talents too, which is very much evident. There is no competition, no snubbing or dominating the other. You both enjoy and appreciate the finer aspects or nuances mutually. That makes your concerts more pleasing and leaves a long lasting memory of your singing in Our hearts. God bless you my friends.

Very interesting to hear both of you speak. I am a great fan of both of you. I make it a point to attend your concerts whenever you visit Mumbai. When I get free time i listen to you in You Tube. God bless both of you 🙏

Dear Akkas, you guys, as usual, continue to amaze me! Thank you for kindly sharing these episodes of your life with us; you are really helping in demystifying Carnatic Music 😍😍😍. Actually, even I thought the environment around you was very conducive for practice (meditative and pin-drop silence kind). Now I realize that if I want to practice, I can do it anywhere, irrespective of the environment. In the next episode, could you please talk about voice maintenance? What kind of foods did you have to avoid to keep your voice intact?

Namaskaram Jai Sri Krishna Thank you so much your beautiful sharings