Vismaya II Released

The second and final volume of his CD recording ‘Vismaya – An Indo Celtic Musical Journey’ featuring the unique genre of nottusvara sahityas composed by Muthuswamy Dikshitar, one of India’s foremost classical music composers,  researched and produced by Kanniks Kannikeswaran was released at the Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University by Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

Special Music for Mother’s Day 2008

We invite you to celebrate all that is embodied by the mother, on Mother’s day  by listening to this track KAMALASANA VANDITA from the album ‘Vismaya (Wonder!) – An Indo Celtic Musical Journey’. 

Nottusvara Sahityas of Dikshitar Part III – Content and Significance

An essay on the content and significance of the Nottusvara sahityas of Dikshitar. Kanniks Kannikeswaran gave a lecture-demonstration on this topic at the 81st Annual Conference of The Music Academy, Chennai in December 2007.

Nottusvara Sahityas of Dikshitar – Part II – Historical Context

An essay on the historical context of the Nottusvara sahityas of Dikshitar. Kanniks Kannikeswaran gave a lecture-demonstration on this topic at the 81st Annual Conference of The Music Academy, Chennai in December 2007.

Nottusvara Sahityas of Dikshitar – Part I – Introduction

Part I An essay on the Nottusvara sahityas of Dikshitar. Kanniks Kannikeswaran gave a lecture-demonstration on this topic at the 81st Annual Conference of The Music Academy, Chennai in December 2007.

Musical variety in the nottusvara sahitya genre of Dikshitar

Although all songs in the nottusvara sahitya genre of Dikshitar are in the major scale, sans gamaka and other Indian melodic ornamentation, there is quite a bit of variety in the collection. 

Dikshitar’s acquaintance with Colonial Music

What is clear is that Dikshitar was acquainted with western music. The circumstances under which the acquaintance happened is also known. What is not clear is the exact nature of his  exposure to western music.

kamalasana vandita padabje

The nottusvara sahitya kamalasana vandita padabje is a high energy composition with interesting wordplay. Every line of the song ends with three claps.