RaGa CANDID EP21 - Why Classical Music 

Hi Ranjani and Gayatri ma'am! Just watched this. I must say I am extremely lucky to be around during this time of the world, when you both are musicians. Every rendition of yours has left me awestruck. Every new hearing gives me a new feeling; opens up a new facet of my mind. Your music is my undying inspiration in all of my endeavors. I have learnt to be more open minded about music, and have become able to appreciate music's intricacies, merely by listening to you all the time. I am seventeen, and I've always kicked myself for not going for classes, but you give me a new strength everyday, and spur me on in my aspirations. Thank you so much for being two of the most integral and influential parts of my life; I will never cease to look up to your finesse and dedication to your art. Thank you for being who you are. Eagerly awaiting your next home session! Please try out the Chaturdasa Ragamalika or the ragamalika version of the Madhava Panchakam. I would love to hear these in your voices!

I learnt carnatic music from the age 9 through 15. I did not go on to become a musician. I am now nearly 60 years old. I can safely say that music saves me every day. It is a life skill like no other. I developed immense respect for all kinds of artistes because of this gift, not to mention carnatic music is a great enabler in one's journey of Bhakti.

When young, I had a regret that I was not able to sing. But as I grew up, I realised that I was gifted with the deep interest to listen to music, enjoy deeply, intricacies, nuances no bar. Just imagine, if everybody is gifted to sing, there would be a dearth of listeners 😁 a topsy turvy situation like the corona monster 🙄

As an electronic engineer, my passion had been teaching, undertaking and guiding research in my area of study and I had no other passion. I did like to listen to good music always. Of late I find that I have developed a sense of appreciation and love towards classical music. I have started to enjoy listening for even hours together. Of course, I belong to a musicians family but had never taken music seriously. Is it my genes coming to the fore at this later stage of my life? Does music do that to one? I wonder.

I am 46 and I have been learning carnatic music for the past 3 years along with my daughters just for the joy of it. Learning is a life long process. It can be anything that you are interested in. Thank you Raga sisters for these lovely candid episodes. Love you both.

Thanks youtube for recommending this channel...My humble pranams to Ranjani Ji & Gayatri Ji... I feel like i'm listening to my lovely aunts... its like mediation to me... there is a profound and enduring beauty in simplicity, in clarity.. it just brings order to the complexity... Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Smiles from Ranjani and Gayatri Akkas at 6:14 and at 6:21 acknowledging each other tells us everything! It adds so much beauty to the already divinely beautiful music. Namaskarams!

To add to your existing points I think classical music makes you to lead a spiritual path and you earn lot of punya by making others happy (feeling blissful listening to your music) and removes lots of your karma of previous births... 😊

Akkas I heard your sobhillu saptaswara rendition at home with a beautiful and splendid Neraval at Dhararigsamadulalo. I was in quarantine listening to your sobhillu saptaswara rendition. I think the best way to spend time during quarantine is listening to any of your rendition. Hope both of you akkas are safe. At the beginning of this session, I was excited at the question being discussed. It was a superb rendition of Raga Sudha Rasa in Andholika ragam and you said that classical music relieves stress, recharges your body cells, makes you feel inspired and great. I have also felt this after I finish practice. After I finish practice, I feel refreshed and energy in my body cells. You also said that Carnatic music can be learnt at any age. Yes I also.believe it can be learnt at any age. After a lot of stress, I just start humming a keerthanam and I feel refreshed. Carnatic music always makes us feel fresh and makes something to look forward to it. An ardent Rasika akkas Love your videos nad raga candids. I am a senior student in Carnatic music and have started to do kalpanaswarams in Mohanam and mayamalavagoula ragam in 1st speed. I get many insights and inspired from your raga candid's and I have a request akka's Don't ever stop these candid's akka's.

Watching and listening to the two of you sing, talk, smile and explore together is a tonic for the soul, it is joy, it is ananda. You bring so much beauty and depth and joy, so much sweet intelligence and loving attention, to everything you touch and do. I’m not a musician, but I find your observations on learning and on devotion to one’s art deeply relevant to all aspects of life. You present the deep challenges of learning as a journey into bliss and joy. One small observation: Not all music that is not classical is superficial and disposable! There is much in contemporary music that will become classical in time. There is great depth and subtlety in many fields of progressive rock, jazz, soul, and so forth, and some of this music will doubtless endure. I’ve been a lifelong fan of Pink Floyd, especially their work from the 70s and early 80s, and I note with interest that contemporary musicians are now performing and adapting many of their ‘classic’ compositions. But perhaps one could say that there is no greater depth than in Indian classical music, which seems to come out of the very Earth herself. Stay safe, and blessings to you both!

We are very sad to see you taking a break we will certainly miss these episodes

Classical Music is the best companion for life - even in self-isolation! Listening to your music lights up the brain like a Christmas tree, especially in the live concert where during manodharmam we witness creation itself! Love the inspiring lesson from today's episode - all it takes to learn is the childlike openness and uninhibited passion! Truly adult life brings with it unwarranted pessimism and self-doubt. Carefree immersion sans expectations is the way! Thank you for this episode!

I am aged 75+.Retired as Prof. Of Mech.engineering .I have not been lucky enough to learn carnatic music. I don't come from a family with classical music background. But I used to listen to classical music from the age of 10 years in the radio. Now I can identify about 200 ragas. I can do a few ragaalapana also.

Thank you very much Ranjani and Gayathri for your open and candid insight into your musical journey. I learnt music from the age of five until I was twelve years old, thanks to my parents. One of the keerthanas I had learnt was ragasudharasa and I enjoyed your rendition immensely today. I am 74 years old now and carnatic music has been a part of my life. It is ageless and timeless.

RAGA - Thank you very much for the multidimensional answer. As a Rasika, I connect totally with your comment that classical music will ring in one's mind constantly and give great enjoyment. "Vasudevani Priya Sodhari" from your Nee Samana home session is my constant companion.

Classical music is 'CLASS' and not just MASS!

It is going to be difficult to believe that on next few Mondays that there is no new RaGa candid episode to watch.Hopefully it is not end of the series but the break and you will resume back soon. Thank you so much for all the RaGa Candid episodes. 😊❤️❤️

Blessed are you both to pour out the Raga Sudha Rasa.l'm sure both of you and your parents bathed the divine in sudharasa janma after janma. We listeners also have done an iota of punya so our ears are able to do the sudharasa paana. May Ma Sarasvati supply you both with eternal creativity and sweetness to your voice.

Flashback for me when we three sisters used to sing ragasudha rasa ,taught by our Guru Sri.Vijayaraghavan,kochi ....koti namaskarams to our guru as well as you both sisters,my manasika guru....our parents used to feel happy,when we three sings together. Good Music connects to divinity,no doubt abt it. Once again my humble pranams to you both. Episode should continue for ever. Sairam.

Awesome rendition of Raga andholika. Your melodious rendering of this composition immerses us in heavenly nectar. Praying to the Supreme power to always bless you both with that divine energy. Thanks Ra Ga sisters.

Excellent. Really classical music takes us from negetivty to positivity,from sorrow to happiness. Thank you

Profound insights. My only despondency is when I don't get sangatis :) Thank you for this series from the bottom of my heart.

Andolika was just divine & extremely beautiful , the flow of sangathis were just incredible .Very rightly said Classical music is very deep & not easy .. everyone say that Carnatic music is the deepest forms of music in the world as it has many layers , really a beautiful candid . Starting Monday mornings with ur beautiful voices is really blissful & divine ! We all will really miss RaGa candid. Thank you RaGa mam your candid were a big inspiration & encouragement.

Of course age isnt a barrier. I am 61 but learning carnatic music at this age can get physically taxing . It calls for a lot of remembrance & recalling ability. When memory fades & plays all sorts of tricks learning a complex art form gets to become quite a challenge - Your observations & comments greatly solicited. N.R Raghuram Hyderabad

Dear akkas such a beautiful episode. Music is your lifelong companion. Such a beautiful thought. I learnt music when I was a child and am again leaning Carnatic style right from the beginning in my adulthood. My whole perspective on how to learn and has changed. Am so happy to be doing this. Thank you so much for sharing this!!!

“Classical music... will not let you slide into despondency,” that’s a brilliant and powerful observation. 🙏

Thank you so much Ranjani Ma'am and Gayatri Ma'am for being a great source of motivation and inspiration. I started learning carnatic music when I was 4 years old. But I lost interest in my 15th year because a lot of my friends listened to me only when I sang film songs and I stopped learning carnatic music despite my parents telling me not to. But in my 17th year, I missed the joy of learning carnatic music and I started to love the art and learn it. Your singing has increased my love for carnatic music and listening to it makes me want to learn it more intensely. "Music is not just a means of entertainment, Music is a pathway to enlightenment".😄 I could understand this and I'm eagerly awaiting your next session.

I am a listener and lover of Carnatic music. And I would say, it’s greatest positive effect is that it helps me become a slightly better person when I am lost in the divinity and melody of the music.. it dissolves the pettiness and anger or hurt I may be feeling and it elevates me to a calmer and positive frame of mind. Thanks ra-ga sisters for being part of this process for millions of listeners.

Ranjani akka and Gayatri akka! I suppose that's Ranjani Tai and Gayatri Tai for Marathi folks like me 🙂. Just keep these Monday musings coming. Also, off and on, please keep touching upon the confluence of Carnatic and Hindusthani. I know you both are vidushis in the latter form too! ☺️☺️

Hi. EP-21. Why classical music, titled so. I read others comments first on top priority. And then go for mine. Any art and its art form is a feeling imbibed in it. Bruce Lee said in opening scene in e t d film. Coming back 🔙 to Saint Thyagaraja in this krithi " yaga Thyaga boga " Krama mukthi and Sathya mukthi as one mukthi to be happened through music 🎶. Thank you both. With many more wishes.

Perfectly synchronised singing 🙏🏻🙏🏻Transcends to another world of perfect bliss 🙏🏻

Excellent Rendition of Ragasudha rasa RaGa Mam👏👏🌷 Energising episode as always. Thank you so much RaGa Mam.🤗🌺🌼🌹

Thanks again akkas for giving us another hopeful morning! Hearing 'Ragasudha Rasa' - a magnificent composition of Sathguru Tyagarajaswamy in raga Andholika, just spreads positivity and peace. Why classical music? What a lovely question to discuss! Hope, this snippet answers many of my friends, who constantly yell me for skipping programs with concert plans. This artform starts as entertainment, then gradually push you to the world of self discoveries! Journey of a Rasika, is so interesting and fun filled. Every concert is a learning and this art will boggle your mind with constantly with its sheer beauty and charm. It will begin as a timepass or hobby, then it starts to consume your soul and becomes one with you. Such a beautiful gift of god! Thanks again for relieving the stress of self quarantine with such a lovely and motivational video🥰😇

Amazing singing, God bless you both with more more music, happiness, peace and Joy .Vardatam Abhivardatam👏👏👏

Only Ra-Ga can create that magic with "Carnatic Music". Your voices hold all kind of instruments

Do keep these episodes please at my night time on Sunday and your Monday morning. I am just waiting to see your new RaGa Candid before I take medication and go to bed

pranams to ranjani and gayathri. very very true.

Every single point discussed in this video resonates in my mind even after a while on listening to it. The fact that carnatic music is a companion for life is the apt way to describe its impact on our lives. Especially in today's corona-hit world, with most of us being confined to our homes, carnatic music is the one art form which helps to maintain balance in one's mind. Thank you for another wonderful episode! And nonetheless, that was a scintillating rendition of Raga sudha rasa 👌

The andholika was simply amazing. how will corona ever want to leave the country without listening to RaGa??😀😀😀Thanks Akkas for the beautiful candid episode

What a mesmerizing performance. I am sure Satguru Thyagaraja Swamigal would have also felt immensely happy listening to your rendering of Raga Suda Rasa. I am 78 years old and no training in any form of music felt ecstatic and thrilled beyond words listening to your singing. Your in depth analysis for "why Carnatic music" was indeed so beautiful and all encompassing. God bless you both.

The first time I heard this kirtana was by Maharajapuram Santhanam & from Umashree Ramaraj ( Mandolin). So sweet & moving.

Great...please don't stop this wonderful journey at to his time world pandemic.This is agreat relief for us. Please don't stop.

Yes very true mam .. I have started my learning at the age of 30 and I could relate your words with me.. could you speak something about Kalpana swaram?

every art form generates a feeling and a pleasant experience, so you like it and you are drawn to it and then you want to make that experience your own so you start mastering it, this is true of classical music too.

As Gayathri akka said "Music is a life long companion", every person will have his own personal choice of music that becomes an integral part of his life. As a Kid i remember waking up to MSS amma Subrabhatam & BhajaGovindam. Listening to MSS was almost a everyday routine & thus carnatic music always fascinated me. The beauty of carnatic music is that it installs Bhakti that internally brings various facets to be peaceful & positive. Thanks akka for yet another Monday Morning episode. Thanks Murthy, Blore Questions ( on the candid note ) Who are your fav film actors , fav genre & fav film ? Considering you both are very fluent in many languages have u ever thought about singing for mainstream films ?

The andolika was out of the world. It gave me goosebumps at one point and completely warmed my heart. Thank u for the treat. God bless u both!

Wow! What an inspiration you both are! Thank you so much for sharing your life's wisdom and your music with the rest of us. You lighten the stress of a Monday morning with corona fever all around us. Please keep up the great work. Humanity still survives due to a few people like you. Stay safe!

Ranjani Gayatri you both are doing great service by these videos . Please dont stop. May God Bless you and your families.

Awesome andholika...y classical music... beautifully explained... truly it's a companion to soul at stressful times

Very nicely elucidated Why classical music as it is for the life. Thanks🙏

Thank you both so much! May I request you to talk about meanings of songs too? The gems like “Bhaja Govindam”, “Nambi kettavar”, “Thelisithe Mokshamu” to name just a few that I memorized when I was much younger now are helping me understand myself, life and beyond. My humble request for you would be to sing “Kurai Ondrum Illai” in this episode, if you consider making one for the wisdom in the gems that have been passed onto us in classical music. I personally thank my parents and Gurus every time I sing for not just giving me a dear friend for life, but a teacher who lives within the songs inside of me. Hope you consider this humble request for one of your future episodes.

Hi Akkas, All your Candid videos and your experiences that you have shared really inspired me. You made me join vocal class after 18 years, at the age of 33. I've decided not to have purpose out of it except experiencing the singing. I wish my 3 years old son would listen to me and get inspired by. Its not only you two, but also your father as we'll who inspired me a lot ❤🙏

I believe we all (in our part of the world) have a responsibility to learn and appreciate carnatic music irrespective of our level of proficiency because just like those monarch butterflies we need to carry forward the music collectively and pass it on to the next generation of prodigies

Please bring back Raga Candid madams... Missing these beaitiful nuances. Its been quite awhile, perhaps we can get new conversations with you both.

Truly classical music is a life long pursuit and a life long companion !Great insights.

What a beautiful presentation of the Andolika krithi by Saint Tyagaraja! And the very inspiring follow up on why classical music: resonates very much with me! Thanks🙏

Beautiful rendition of Andholika! 👌👏👏👌

Such a wonderful episode with such amazing insights and life lessons to learn from... I really loved the way both of you have presented the Classical music through the eyes of a musician and a Rasika.... So glad your able to readily connect with your Rasikas and share with us your experiences and memories.... The Andholika was really blissful and divine... Keep rocking! ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏

Rasikas like me will have life long learning and interest in music with artists like you. Thank you.

Thanks to the modern gadgets.during this difficult times we are able to listen to beautiful music thank you raga sisters.

Beyond music, these sessions are wonderful life lessons too Thanks for sharing!

Maam thank you so much for inspiring. I'm 18 years old and I've got a lot of love to the classical music and want to learn it deeply, but i was thinking that i became too much older to learn this music but maam you both answered my question which was stuck in my mind for so long ,, no words to thank both of you for always inspiring the teenagers like me and spreading the positivity with your soulful voice💕💕

What an amazing effort to produce innumerableand enchanting melody, isn't it?

Yes it is true .No monotonous question arises while hearing an Indian classical music.That is why we are proud to be an Indian.Thank you sisters for understanding what music is!.Enjoyed all the episodes.And wishing you both to give more and more concerts in the coming years.🙏🙏

Very beautiful.soothing to ears.have heard this rendition from Jesudas .but liked this very much.

My grand father was proudly telling about Soolamangalam sisters, Radha and Jayalakshmi sisters, Brinda and Mukta sisters, Bombay sisters.My father is also telling about above renowned sisters, besides about priya sisters and now about RAGA sisters. All are legendary. I sincerely appeal to you to identify another such pairs under your great effort .it would be yours great achievement.

Please continue these episodes as service to the for the foreign residents who are unable to travel to revel in these renderings

Just keep singing may God bless you both long life

Missing your candids Akkas...please continue the candid sessions as it enlightens us with so many beautiful insights which we get from your words.. I merely watched each of the sessions hundred times, if not more.. still it is refreshing everytime when I watch.. These sessions are not merely about music.. It's about life and how to lead your life better.. These episodes are my doses of inspiration everyday to pursue my goal/vision. You're the pioneers of this world.. You taught so many things through these sessions.. you're my manasika gurus.. As a student/Rasika/son it's my sincere request to continue RaGa candid sessions just like before..please consider this Akkas..🙏🏻🙏🏻 with respect and bhakti, Ramesh

Hello mams from past 7 yrs , I have started my music learning journey n now I am 37 yrs old .

Ragasudharasa 😍 blissful indeed .. thank you so much RaGa 🙏🏻🙏🏻

The taste of the 'Ragasudharasa' was sweet or like drinking Amrutham - absolutely awesome rendition with just tonic accompaniment ! The discussion on Classical music was enlightening. As far as I am concerned, I am getting everything from Classical music, I ever hoped -unlimited bissful experience ! Now, with the covid-19 quarantine, classical music helps me to forget all worries and stress & it's like a life support. My grateful 'Namaskaras' for this video.

Thanks a lot for such wonderful Aandholika. It was like swinging without any worries.

Why classical music? Classical music is like reading literature and popular music or lite music is like reading a novel! We can enjoy both!

Thanks for that divine Andholika. Loved it. Classical music is a true and loyal companion always . You are never lonely .

Akkas yr programme is very nice and keep going. Due to this programme i became one greedy person. I want every day to be Monday. U both rock. Thankyou and be safe.🙏💐

Wow superb amazing way to sing stotra

Songs with meaning like God give me wealth give me prosperity fame in life will not be there in Tyagaraja , Annamacharya ,Muttu swami Deekshitar , Purandara dasa etc compositions...so is the reason we sing such songs over and over again. Things that you learn when you are retired, will be taught when you are a kid. So is the reason you learn carnatic music. Carnatic music shows you the path way to live , way of life.

Wow! Just Wow!

I totally agree with you on the classical music. Music hit me after my marriage and got an opportunity to start around 30 plus… but due to many reasons I am not able to continue after 45 +… but love it any time listening to it and sing what I know ..

Can you please post a video of teaching any of your students? Might be of great help :-)

Thank You for the incredible series! Fitting finish

Many thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience of why classical music

Totally blissful. Greatly blessed to be listening to you both. I keep sending this request asking you to devote one episode on தமிழ் விருத்தங்கள்.please.

Thank you for sharing such beautiful candids of your life. Loved each and every bit of it. Through these videos we were able to connect with your music much deeper! Already waiting for one more season.

Dear Sisters, watched all episodes several times and it was really touching heartening experience every time. Pranams to you for speaking from the heart .Kindly consider making an episode on your interactions experiences with M S Amma during your incredible musical journey🙏🙏

Such a divine Andholika rendition akkas... Like your music your words too touching and moving akkas... What a wonderful episode ❤️😍 After listening to your words tears are coming automatically akkas 🙏...

Raga sudha rasa panamu chesi ranjilave O manasa!! The Kriti says it all! What a divine composition - in such a beautiful Raga Andolika! Akkas, your rendition truly made us all immerse in the beautiful nectar of Classical Music. Andolika's ringing in my ears! Such amazing insights as to why Classical music is so rich and appealing. Age is just a number and all you need is a passionate and willing heart! The way you talk about music so passionately in each episode is highly inspirational to students and rasikas alike. Its like we are all a family united by this divine art form. Sad to learn that this will be the last episode for the time being. Eagerly waiting for Season 2!!

Beautifully explained madam. Ultimately it is our passion and as satguru tyagaraju said one of the bhaktimaragamu for self realisation.

Dear Ranjaniji and Gayathiji, please continue to upload these RaGa Candid videos..eagerly waiting for the next season.

Absolute word, a companion for life... Ver interesting talk...

It was a very meaningful and interesting conversation... thank you for bringing out the essence of classical music.

Hi Ranjani & Gayatri Mam! Great fan of yours - It's countless time that I listened your Marathi Abhang towards Pandarinath and Kamalaptakula towards Rama. While listening use to think that how good it is that these Musicians talk? Yes. Indeed it is super dooper good to listen even if you both talk. Of course its great treat for us especially on the Candid concept that you sharing your own thoughts on how you grown along with Music. Of Course Caspian sea story we fell in love with that too :). Stay Blessed.

Excellent and emotive and a very logical explanation.

So beautiful.....❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Awesome rendering RaGa of Raga sudha rasaa👌👌😘😘Extremely pleased to listen and watch all the episodes 💜Take care. Stay safe at home 🙏Waiting continues... ❤️💙

Amma, I am 61. Right environment as a child, and childhood totally depends on Parents' aspirations from children. Usually it's their unfulfilled aspirations. I may be wrong, but I feel a great amount of luck is also involved. Nevertheless *younger age is important, cos priorities are virtually none as a 5 year old, compared to a 20 or 25 years old (studies, job all these and the economic conditions etc).* 🙏🙏🙏 Like every other Monday today also excellent.

Meaningful episode thank u so much

I don’t wish to learn despite my mother is now a retired music teacher at 93 we wish to listen highly inspiring devotional and dedicated keerthanams, alapana, etc in a concert or RU-vid labeling ardent devotees of you both.

What a refeshing change it was to hear you both! The world seem to be gloomy with the pandemic Corona and so it was heartening to hear an altogether different topic.Fully endorse the view that one doesn't get bored with classical music as it has a lot of discipline! Also one has to be an Ashtavadhani to be a good classical artiste as suggested by you.Great show! Would like to know how you exactly prepare for a concert - the line up of the things you give your attention to. I guess it would be an interesting topic for us! God Bless you sisters