Indian Classical Music for Children-1
I have been trying to find some pieces from Indian classical music that might appeal to Starry’s kids.
I don’t always believe in divisions of things for adults and things for children-there will be children who will be able to listen to so-called “heavy” pieces, or the longer slower pieces without any problems and there will be adults who will need “lighter” introductions, so ultimately a judicious mix of fast and slow, heavy and light might be best. It is hard to be prescriptive on a subjective thing like music. Ultimately, I believe children must be exposed to classical music as early as possible, the best way to train the ear is via osmosis.
Edited to add: Please also refer to this post. It applies to children too. Do not shield them from what you may consider “heavy” music or music that doesn’t have a specific label on it that says “for children.”
This rendition of Vara Leela Gana Lola, a composition by Tyagaraja in the Ragam Shankarabharnam, sung by Rama Varma and the students of music at Kerala University seems to have gone down well with both Starry’s kids and Boo’s Ashu. It’s quite a tongue twister but nice to sing along with. The lyrics are available here.
Uttara,
This subject has left me quite baffled a while but I will share my experience here with a rather “long” comment. I tried with Madurai Mani Iyer’s famous English note and Vara lIla gana lola but both met with lukewarm responses. I thought Bhogindra shayinam or Raghuvamsa suda with a racy renditions might do the trick. However the nottusvarams http://www.kanniks.com/vismaya_page.htm and go to the listing that says nottusvara sahityam from here: http://www.sangeethapriya.org/tributes/dikshithar/downloads/groupkrithis.html fascinated her for a while. She also related to ragas like Devamanohari with its crisscross movements.
And then she started thinking for herself and operating the Ipod and there my trouble began with demands for specific songs! Now it’s her way or the highway and I am forced to listen to MSS’s Viribhoni multiple times every day and she’s particularly fascinated by the third speed singing and the svaras in ‘sa ri ga sa ri gA ri’ or Balamurali’s Cintayami Santatam (who’d have thought Sucaritra would fascinate a kid) and then of course the padam ososi (but we sing it as “Oh say can you see by the dawn’s early light” ) and a javali as well.
She seemed to like this one too for learning purposes:
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/album/182-Classical_Carnatic_Carnatic_Special/27975-Bodhana_Carnatic_Music_Lessons_Vol_1/#/album/182-Classical_Carnatic_Carnatic_Special/27975-Bodhana_Carnatic_Music_Lessons_Vol_1/
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/#/album/182-Classical_Carnatic_Carnatic_Special/27976-Bodhana_Carnatic_Music_Lessons_Vol_2/
I still can’t predict as to what she’ll like next but have learnt one thing. Kids don’t always look for simplicity in music but they also want “fewer words” (which now I realize is why vara lila gana lola never worked).
Lol at your daughter’s dictatorial methods! And thanks for the list of what she likes.
I like Bodhana too. Helps open the throat. I think Seetha Rajan may have a point, that Mohanam shd be taught first rather than MMG.
One child of Starry’s like fast stuff at the mo and the other slow-so will try the racy ones that failed with your little one on them
Plus, perhaps the age makes a difference-but with musical taste one can’t have hard and fast rules.
Thanks for the long comment-it’s very helpful.
The anonymous was me again! Something quirky with my browser at work.
Nothing like a Muthiah Bhagavathar Melody to play the Pied Piper .It has worked great with my son . Boy what a fascinating composer . Just yesterday he got stuck into the Kanyakumari – Mambalam Siva effort with Vanchatonu in the Isai Vizha of the 80′s.Like that Viriboni.I am destined to hear it many times more , in the coming weeks.
Thanks for the suggestion!
A few more I could think of..
1.Carnatica had a ‘pep album’ or some such thing for kids.
2.Balamurali’s tillanas or Lalgudi’s tillana – They have an easy flow and are catchy.
3.For kids preferring ‘softer/soothing music’ there’s a Vatsalyam – collection of lullabies by B.Jayashree.
Vatsalyam has gone down very well with Starry’s kids-particularly the one who likes slow stuff. I think taranas and tillanas generally do appeal to kids….I remember my sis and I used to love them when we were little
Will look for the pep album for kids-thanks
You are such a sweetheart Uttara for sending me the music. I think we’re really limping along to some sort of appreciation and understanding thanks to you. I found Vara Leela Gana Lola so cute (can one say classical music is cute??), never even knew it could be that way. Always had an impression it is ponderous and pompous! This is fun!
Hugs.
Not only is it cute, it’s sexy and sensual as well
.
Maybe we need to wait for that bit with the kids !
Continuing the comment from the previous post…
We have nt watched many carnatic videos in youtube. I play my collection in the music player in the mornings and evenings. So Ashu recognizes the familiar songs. Some Aruna Sayeeram, OS Arun, Oothukadu songs by Maharajapuram,… Suprabatham by MS and Kandha sashti kavasam by Shobana are our regular dosage.
sometimes when im watching, she watches with me. shes fascinated by Priya Sisters and Ranjani-Gayatri because they are *gasp* sisters! and that they sing together! I have hope!
My mom introduced her to Vishamakara Kannan and Maadu Meikum Kanne by Aruna Sayeeram and she loves the songs now.
Thanks Boo!
Can anyone suggest where “madu meikkum Kanne” rendered by Smt Aruna Sairam can be downloaded (Audio only)….