Ramanavami Carnatic Bhajans – Birmingham

Carnatic-Circle.com was invited to perform at the phenomenal Ramanavami celebrations on Saturday, the 31st March at the Spacious New Bingley Hall, Birmingham. The divine Sita-Rama kalyanam event held on Utharapalguni Nakshatram in Vilambi nama year was attended by not less than 2500 people – full of energy and lively. The ambience at the hall was stunning due to sheer numbers. This shows the excellent strength of our community and a typical example for the togetherness in serving the lord by serving for the community.

Carnatic-Circle’s music/singing was an integral part of the community and enjoyed the blessings of Sree Rama. We primarily chose some Telugu based krithis composed by Annamacharya & Bhadrachala Ramdas keeping in line with the interests of the audience. The energised performance kept up a relentless pace for 40 minutes. It was full of positive vibrations and was very well received by the community. We received quite a lot of words of praise. Admittedly, we had some background noise in our video recordings, but the fact that we were invited to perform for this divine event as a highlight was indeed a great blessing.

Some Photos/Excerpts from our previous Weekly Bhajan sessions since last year

 

Bhajans/Krithis Birmingham Balaji Temple 21st Oct 2017

Carnatic-Circle’s Midlands based “Sampradaya” Bhajan group and “Mantrasara” came together to put together a traditional & impressive performance at the Tividale Balaji temple community hall on Saturday, the 21st Oct 2017 (5pm- 7.15pm).

The event was graced by the presence of Tabla Pandit Sandip Banerjee (From Kolkata) and Chief guest – Dr Kanakaratnam (Chairman of Trustees at the Balaji Temple)  who graced the occasion with their presence and support.

The Balaji temple has been ever supportive of our Carnatic based Devotional singing & Bhakthi initiatives and we are very grateful to them and their volunteers who made this event successful in every sphere. Such a unique choir consisting of Adults & Children does not exist in the entire country and it is with utmost pride that we present our Bhajans/Krithis and ensure that we uplift everyone that participate in our community gatherings.

This performance was well received by the audience who came from across the midlands to see us perform. One of the feedbacks that we received from few of the experienced elders was that, we have implemented a traditional system in the same lines as it is done in South India. Below were the songs that were sung as a part of our repertoire at the temple Continue reading “Bhajans/Krithis Birmingham Balaji Temple 21st Oct 2017”

Devotional Chant/Singing

Sampradaya & Mantrasara run by Carnatic-Circle.com are 2 groups that run free Bhajan workshops every week in Birmingham & Solihull, UK. For those interested in weekly Shloka/ Vedas/Stothram recitation in Birmingham, please get in touch. We also perform devotional singing of a large repertoire of Bhajans and Abhangs. These workshops are primarily geared to adults which can read Lyrics independently. If you are interested to participate or simply want to listen to our weekly performances, please call in.

We are always looking for any music instrumentalists that want to add colour to the sessions.

All these efforts are mainly to preserve our heritage and is done on a group basis free of cost.Temple poster

Thyagaraja Aradhanai 2017

Solihull Carnatic music Circle will be singing for the Birmingham Thyagaraja Aradhanai 2017. It is scheduled for the 11/12th of March 2017. Please join and be part of it.

The original Thyagaraja Aradhanai is an annual event celebrated on the banks of River Cauvery in Tiruvaiyaru (near Tanjavur) in India. Musicians sit by the samadhi of the Saint and render Pancharatna krithis in chorus in honour of the saint. This spirit of music has spread worldwide. Here is a list of Krithis or Bhajans that we practice. whatsapp-image-2017-02-05-at-11-49-44

Carnatic/Tabla Lessons Solihull/Birmingham

Carnatic music predominantly originates from South India, but has an universal appeal across all sections, language being no barrier. What is Carnatic Music and how is it different from Hindusthani Music?

lessons

Carnatic Vocal – Group lessons are run by Preetha Gopal throughout the week for all levels and caters for Adults and Children. The teaching is based on the age old tradition of learning the Swaravalis and gradually build up to Alankarams, Gitam & Varnams. We maintain a comprehensive Youtube and Facebook channel.

A student will start with learning

  1. Sarali Varisai  (Videos Available)
  2. Janta Varisai – next level (Videos available)
  3. Dhatu Varisai, Mel Sthayi Varisai, Mandhra Sthayi Varisai (Videos Available)
  4. Alankarams, Geethams and Swarajathis
  5. Varnams & Keerthanais

Inorder to maintain some variety, some Bhajans, Abhangs or Shlokas will be added as the classes progress. We run an average of 9 events in a year where students can perform. Students will be comprehensively prepared towards music exams and earn grades. Lessons are also provided via Skype or any other online mediums.

TablaPercussion lessons in Tabla are held as group lessons and are conducted for children and adults. Lessons usually delve into the theory & practical aspects such as Kaydas/Paltas and gradually progressing into taals, Moharas, Mukhdas and Relas. Lessons include theory and the necessary preparation for Grade exams.

gumtree

Our students have passed their Tabla Grade exams with flying colours.

All lessons conducted in Shirley/Solihull. Contact/Whatsapp – +44 7906 535762

Daily Shlokas for children

If you are living far away from your culture, then the children at home will only learn and imbibe whatever the parents provide at home. So the primary responsibility for our children are the parents.  Parents are the first friend to a child – so play with them everyday, read books, sing along, leave your Laptops/Phones/Tablets and spend time with them. When time permits, teach them some good values in life. Continue reading “Daily Shlokas for children”

Difference between Carnatic & Hindustani music

A number of people seem to ask this question – What is the similarity or difference between Hindustani and Carnatic music? I try to answer this in a brief manner, though the answer could delve into much more detail which is beyond the scope of this blog. Continue reading “Difference between Carnatic & Hindustani music”

Andal Thirupaavai 1-5 for monthly Bhajanais

I am adding the English Notes for the 1st 3 Thirupaavai Pasuram for our monthly Bhajanais. (Our Birmingham/Solihull, UK monthly Bhajanais involve the devotional traditional bhakthi or Paddathi singing)

How to Sing – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TygcSAr_xw

Image result for Thiruppavai

Pasuram 1 – Ragam Naatai

maargazhi(th) thingaL madhi niRaindha nannaaLaal*
neeraada(p) pOdhuveer pOdhuminO nErizhaiyeer*
seer malgum aayppaadi(ch) chelva(ch) chiRumeergaaL*
koorvEl kodundhozhilan nandhagOpan kumaran*
Eraarndha kaNNi yasOdhai iLam singam*
kaar mEni cengaN kadhir madhiyam pOl mugaththaan*
naaraayaNanE namakkE paRai tharuvaan*
paarOr pugazha(p) padindhElOr empaavaai

Continue reading “Andal Thirupaavai 1-5 for monthly Bhajanais”

Your musical gateway to Indian Culture

Namastheysthu  Maha Maye, Shri Pitey Sura Poojithey

Shanku Chakra Gadha Hasthey, Mahalakshmi Namosthuthey

Carnatic music is a powerful universal musical medium that unites, enlightens and transforms. For us at the Solihull Carnatic Music Circle, the innate power of Carnatic music sparked a spiritual awakening that has influenced our lives more deeply than we could have ever imagined. We have since devoted our efforts and talent to providing spiritual enlightenment as a service to the community through traditional renderings of South Indian Classical (Carnatic) music.

Music is not “just music” to us. It is a path to spiritual enlightenment. That is why, we practice music of various forms in order to enhance our ability to connect music to spirituality in unique ways that can help put listeners on the path to their own spiritual awakening. This transformative process, in the end, is the path to achieving your highest potential, reaching a higher plane of knowledge and awareness, and living in peace and contentment.  

For those who desire to nurture and develop their own Carnatic (South Indian style) musical talents, we provide flexible, personally-tailored training/Lessons through the week. The teaching is based on the age old tradition of learning the Swaravalis and gradually build up to Alankarams, Gitam & Varnams. We also indulge in Devotional Bhajanais also called Namasankeerthanam or Pracheena Sampradaya Bhajanai. Join us to learn this art!

 

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