Méla 18. rAgam: hATakAmbari, tALam: tri|| tripuTa

Ar : s r1 g3 m1 p d3 n3 S
Av: S n3 d3 p m1 g3 r1 s


pa|| rakShAshumAm, shrI lakShmIpatE, kari
rakShaka, varadAyaka || ||rakShA||

a|| pakShivAhana, prahlAdapAla|
duShTavidUra, dushcyavana nuta || ||rakShA||

ca|| varam dEhimE, paramdhAma |
hiraNyAkSha madahara |
hATakAmbaradhara |
murabhanjana, muraLigAnaranjaka || ||rakShA||


The composition is addressed to Lord Vishnu.

The gist of the composition—
Protect me immediately, the Lord of Goddess Lakshmi, the merciful, and protector of the elephant Gajendra. The one with the bird Garuda as his vehicle, the protector of Prahlada, who keeps away the wicked, and worshipped by Indra. Grant me a boon, Oh supreme among the gods, the destroyer of the arrogance of the demon Hiranyaksha, the one donned in golden apparel, the destroyer of the demon Mura, and the one who delights in the music of Murali.

Some things to note—

Balamuralikrishna renders this rAgam in a relatively longer duration. In the first half he portrays the distinctness of this rAgam. The portrayal is both admirable and adorable. The latter because of the manner through which that distinctness is brought out in a playful exchange with the violinist.

The pallavi of the composition is taken up so leisurely with an elaborate stretch of the opening request, that it signifies the typical unhurried rendition to follow. The mridangist’s opening stroke after a good wait and his deft handling of the percussion, adds to the mood and the effect that are perceptive all through the rest of the rendition.

Every section is rendered by repeating at least two times, and additionally for portraying the different sangatis. There is a hint of sAhitya vinyAsam, albeit short, in presenting the phrase ‘varam dEhimE paramdhAma’ that seems a great bridge between the anupallavi and the charaNam. The slower pace during this in the already slowed down pace of the rendition of this composition only adds to the enjoyment of the flow of the rendition. It tugs within to yearn for more.

The clincher is the svara prastAram after the caraNam, which is crisp yet captivating, and brief yet beautiful.

The name of the rAgam is itself used as an epithet to address Lord Vishnu.

Turn on the video and savour hATakAmbari.

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Acknowledgements:
Shri. S L Murthy - For translation.
Shri. T K Ramkumar - For transliteration and commentary.

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