Saveri varnam in multiple speeds | Sikkil Gurucharan | Carnatic Music | Vocal

This is an excerpt from a live studio-recording that was done at YouTube Pop-up space in Chennai. Sikkil Gurucharan, Shruti Sarathy and Sumesh Narayanan render the famous Saveri raaga Varnam in a slightly different presentation. The Pallavi is rendered in 4 different speeds -
A. Chatursra gathi - Vilamba kaalam or 1st speed ( 4 counts per beat )
B. Tisra gathi Vilamba kalam ( 3 counts per beat )
C. Chatursra gathi - Madhyama kalam or 2nd speed ( 8 counts per beat )
D. Chatursra Tisram - A combination of Tala in Chatursra gathi Vilamba Kalam and melody in Tisra Gathi Vilamba kalam
The whole pallavi is performed in a variety of speeds within one Avarthanam or cycle of Thaalam in the order given below -
B,A,C
D,C
C

This process of singing a Varnam in multiple melodic/rhythmic speeds is a traditional and highly sophisticated one and is done to show the limitless possibilities of using Manodharma or one's creativity in Varnam level too, which is ironically considered by some as beginner's lessons. The artistes had little to no practice before they went live to perform this and like any organic art form, there are areas where they veer off course but quickly return to the correct one. It has deliberately not been edited in order to show the excitement that can be induced during the quest for perfection through imperfection.

Hope you enjoy the time tested and famous Saveri varnam which is credited to two composers from time to time- Kothavasal Venkatarama Iyer and his student, the famous Patnam Subramanya Iyer, because both of them used the same mudra or signature of "Venkatesa" in their compositions.

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