Ravikiran | Hamsanandi Varnam | Adi Khanda Gati | Online Solo Concert | May 2020
Channel: Ravikiran Creations and Collaborations
Date: 2020-05-19

Varnams, a beautiful musical form in Indian Classical Carnatic Music, are usually composed in chaturashra gati in the 3rd speed (4 notes/beat) and artists render them in other speeds or time signatures like Tishram/Khandam/Mishram.  However, this varnam in the enchanting Indian Raga, Hamsanandi has been composed by Ravikiran in Khanda Gati (5/8) in Adi tala around Sept 2017.  Ravikiran, who has nearly 40 varnams to his credit, also composed varnams in Tishra Gati Adi (6/8), Mishra Chapu (7/8) and Sankeerna Chapu (9/8) around the same time to create a series covering all major gatis in Indian music. 

It was rendered in an online concert by him as a solo on 11 May 2020.  The close up video also gives insights into why the 20-string slide, chitravina is considered among the most dazzling instrument to behold as it demands arguably the fastest left hand speed in world music. 

Ravikiran, hailed as "Mozart of India" by the world media including Wisconsin State Journal & Belgium TV has won encomiums for his "Teasing precision & dazzling effects" from critics including in The New York Times and is highly regarded for "Taking Indian music to new audiences" (CNN).  His maiden stage appearance was at age two, first vocal concert was at age 5 and first chitravina (21-string slide) concert was at age 12.  He has composed over 800 compositions including dance and orchestral works and has also set music to over 1400 compositions of other composers.  His compositions include a number of unique pieces in both Indian classical and world music as well as pieces eulogizing great personalities like Buddha, Vyasa, Adi Shankara, Ramanuja, Ramana Maharshi, Kanchi Paramacharya, M S Subbulakshmi, Pt Ravishankar and his guru, Chitravina Narasimhan.  Ravikiran has been decorated with a number of awards across the world for his contributions.