BOOK REVIEW- SREE KRISHNAM BHAJA MAANASA

1    

     SREE KRISHNAM BHAJA MAANASA: PARVATHI SANKARAN AND  G SANKARAN: BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN : PAGES 467 : PRICE RS 300/- 

    

    This is a book consisting of a compilation of Krithis on Sree Krishna by late Smt Parvathi and her husband Sri G Sankaran. Smt Parvathi was well-versed in Sanskrit and a devotee of Guruvayurappan. The authors, ardent Krishna-bhakthaas, were a part of a four-member team that translated the Malayalam Bhaktharanjini commentary on Narayana Bhattathri’s ‘Sriman naarayaneeyam’. This book contains about 245 classical krithis of 32 outstanding composers of both Carnatic and Hindustani classical music such as Naarayana Teertha, Muthuswamy Deekshitar, Swaati Tirunaal, Mysore Varadachariar, Annamaachaarya, Tyaagaraaja, Aandaal, Paapanaasam Sivan, Purandaradaasa, Meera, Soordaas and many other luminaries. The Carnatic krithis were composed in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam languages. The authors in their Introduction have stated that Lord Krishna is considered to be a ‘poorna avatara’ of Lord Vishnu and that many of the composers have identified Krishna with Lord Vishnu and that many such kirthis have been included in this collection. The book contains a short write-up on each of the 32 chosen composers followed by the text of their kirthis consisting of pallavi, anupallavi and charanam and its meaning. The authors have effectively conveyed to the readers the meaning and purport of the lyrics in simple English. Understanding of the meanings of the lyrics would also help vocalists to express the sentiment or bhaava which the composers had wished to convey through their compositions. A combination of eruditeness with a devotional fervour is not very common. The couple’s deep and abiding devotion to their ishtadevata Lord Guruvaayurappan gets manifested in the brilliant translation of this select collection of lyrics. They have done an unforgettable and yeoman service for bhakthaas, music lovers and practitioners of classical music in this very difficult task of selecting and bringing together the kirthis on Sree Krishna and translating them from various languages into English. This book will always remain on my study-table to constantly remind me of the Supreme Lord and thus keep me in a permanent state of God-consciousness.