Unmai unarndor | Social Inspirational song | Chitravina N Ravikiran | Vocal Instrumental Ensemble
Channel: Ravikiran Creations and Collaborations
Date: 2020-10-15

"Unmai unarndor oomaihal aanaal ulaham uiya vazhiyundo" diplomatically paraphrases in Tamil what the great Italian Dante once said "The darkest places of hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis."  Every line of this mostly secular song that Ravikiran composed (around late 1990/early 2000s) talks about social and moral issues including corruption, negative and divisive attitudes by leaders fuelled by personal agendas, even as those in the know choose to stay apathetic and justice goes on vacation. The tune is a Ragamalika (garland of ragas) consisting of Indian Ragas Abheri, Hamsanandi, Neelambari, Abhogi, Saranga and Samapriya. 

The composition lyrics were personally gifted by Ravikiran to the visionary President of India, Dr Abdul Kalam in 2006.  This video has now been specially created and directed by the composer to mark the late Dr Abdul Kalam's birthday on 15 Oct 2020 with a highly talented vocal-instrumental ensemble. The Veena and Chitravina solos in the beginning are intended to highlight Dr Abdul Kalam's passion to play the Veena. 

Anahita Ravindran - Vocal
Apoorva Ravindran - Vocal
Dhatre Pathangi - Vocal
Dhruv Pathangi - Vocal
P Ganesh - Chitravina 
Trichy Akhilandeswari - Veena 

Hailed as "Mozart of India" (Wisconsin State Journal & Belgium TV) and known for his "Teasing precision & dazzling effects" (New York Times) and for "Taking Indian music to new audiences" (CNN), Ravikiran's 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.