Update: Kannada Dictionary

The Folks,

Good news. I saw a 2010 edition of the Kannada Nighantu at a friend's place. It had the Elaniru word!!

So I ordered it online and got it JUST NOW. Here is the update:

The new edition is definitely improved. It is a solid hard-bound book. They are not printing too many copies of late, hence perhaps the non-availability in book shops.

So all's well perhaps!

Sixteen Annas of Music

I remember reading how C N Parkinson ("work expands to fill time") studied the phenomenon of marriages taking place in England before the WW II. He finally concluded that, "whereas it's true that marriages are made in heaven, it's also true that God arranges alliances between men and women who grow up and live within a distance of around 150 miles of each other in England." In other words, the probability pattern is unmistakeable, given the social dimensions of marriage.

While in the shower today, I have come up with a theory on Carnatic music. Everyone buys at best sixteen annas of music in his or her life time. No More. "The sixteen annas theorem" represents how everyone has a self-limiting capacity and only a set range of possibilities for their appreciation and interest in Carnatic music. I am not talking here of people who are tone-deaf; nor those who research or learn music for a 24/7 engagement. I'm taking the example of an Aam Rasika like me who understands CM and can sit with interest and mental engagement through a full concert from soup to nuts, I mean from Varnam to the Mangalam. Of course the menu is stacked a bit differently in Nouveau Musique Karnatique as dished out by TMK or GK and so on. But I don't think my theory is affected by these modifications.

Now what do I mean by sixteen annas? You see, the more we get into the serious world of CM, we find so many oceans of excellence, just as the earth has so many major oceans and seas, all connected of course. You have the Madhyama-kala repertoire of the Thyagaraja school. You have the splendid body of Dikshitar works. You have Shyama Shastri; Padams, Javalis. You have Tamil composers. Swathi Tirunal, Purandaradasa and others, Telugu bhakti compositions, and 20th century work. You have the instrumental speciality genre by itself. You nowadays have also something one can call CM Lite, where every song sounds like a tukkada. And so on. Does an Aam Rasika connect with all this equally? 

Does an Aam Rasika progress from one level to another, like with a CBSE syllabus? Is he a world traveller like Megallan sailing from one ocean to the other? Or can we predict how the Aam Rasika's penchant is, for a specific type of music, based on his age and social status? I say no. I find no such hard and fast pattern of preferences. But at the same time, an Aam Rasika has a quantity and variety limit to his Carnatic music appetite, which I call the sixteen annas theorem.

Before you wonder when I will actually explain my theory, here I go:

The first Six Annas of CM is what the Aam Rasika absorbs in the first 12 years of his life. That is his parental and environmental influence. If children at home are taught CM, or person's mother or father sings for a bit, then the type and variety and sub-genre of what he appreciates from his cradle to his gilli dandu phase will constitute the six annas, in fact the biggest chunk of the pie. For example growing up in Bangalore and Mysore, one would be exposed to the fine, solid krithis of Thyagaraja, dasara padas, a few select MD, SS and ST krithis. Krithis like Brochevarevarura, Sri Chamundeshwari, Ra ra Rajivalochana, Nagumommu, would surely be a part of six annas. In fact also many Kalyani, Shankarabharana, Todi, Kharaharapriya songs of Thyagaraja. This example of the Aam Rasika would be less exposed to Tamil songs, or highly complex Sanskrit krithis, for example.

The next three Annas is what the Aam Rasika is attracted to in his 12-30 years period. This is the phase when speed, virtuosity, instrumental fireworks, etc. can catch his attention. If the girl listens to lots of kutcheris of popular lady musicians, with a certain pattern of repertoire, focused on variety and melody rather than heavy compositions, a deep manodharma or technique, the three annas come from there.

That leaves seven annas. 

In the serious listening phase of his life, the Aam Rasika will make choices, as a mature and committed listener of CM who follows a type of music or musician, based on a studied appreciation of their individual style and accomplishment. This is more musician-centric and less sub-genre or style-centric. This will make up three annas. 

The last four annas are spent on some eclectic tastes, based on non-CM influences like films, big- name bands performing in some Utsavs or cultural festivals, and may even foray into fusion and other genres of music like Hindustani, Qawwali, Sufi etc. But you will be able to see that this is a later, more casual acquaintance, a less important acquired taste.

That means, in summary, here is where we stand:

Six Annas - childhood exposure 

Three Annas - Youth appeal

Three Annas - serious acquired taste

Four Annas - eclectic tastes.

So when we can say the Aam Rasika has finally arrived at this full sixteen annas of CM appreciation, we see this kind of a mix. The individual elements in each category may vary by birth, circumstance, upbringing and exposure, but the relative proportions play out like this. And if you sit next to a young 20-odd year old rasika man or woman in a concert next time, you could hazard that he or she has not actually acquired yet the full sixteen annas. He or she may be talking only of the first six or the second three annas. And if someone speaks at length about his favourite musician, "a phenomenon", don't be misled that that this choice represents the full sixteen annas. That is only three annas worth, and may not represent a dominant taste in the big picture. 

On the other Hand, it might as well build on the first nine annas. In such a case, the musician having that high appeal will take care of twelve annas of the Aam Rasika's listening taste.

If you look at the all-time greats in CM in the past or the present, you will find that they appeal to the first twelve annas. 

That is also the reason I think that CM rasikas will NEVER buy the eclectic fusion stuff beyond a little bit... Some four annas. The vast majority of their listening choices will be the mainstream twelve annas.  

Am I making sense?

Finding a good Kannada dictionary

From Kannada Dictionaries

You would imagine that a language, classified as a classical language with a 2000 year history of written records, and boasting of eight Jnanapith award winners, and a major source of Carnatic music compositions, and spoken by more than 50 million people, would have wonderful dictionaries. Right?

You're right. There are many, many Kannada-English dictionaries in bookshops. They are all meant for people to learn English through Kannada. In other words, people know enough Kannada. Now they should better learn English for bettering their lives.

But how about a Kannada-Kannada dictionary, to improve your Kannada vocabulary? Sorry, you do have some dictionaries, but most of them are of poor quality. The great lexicographer, Prof. G. Venkatasubbiah, has done yeoman service, but his dictionaries are mostly used as Kannada-English dictionaries. And further, I found his dictionary does not contain the word "Elaniru" for tender coconut. I was surely disappointed.

Here is a slide show for you to see some screen shots of my efforts. I did find two good sources, both published by English missionaries, more than 100 years apart. They indeed do a great job, I can tell you!

Bottomline: Is this a process of digestion we enjoy so much like the goat enjoys being eaten up by a tiger, as Rajiv Malhotra says?

Changing sights

Aam Neta

These are interesting times. Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party have formed the government in India's capital state of Delhi within a year of coming into existence. They are coming to terms with governance, and converting the energy of intellectual and moral values into action. The people are going to help them succeed as much as possible, as AAP hold out a hope like nobody else has done since the days of Gandhi.

Then there is Modi and his BJP.  BJP is a party rooted in the past, not your Freedom Fighter past like Congress but India's ancient Hindu past, which stands for pride, excellence and high values. In reality though. It is another party supported largely by traders and businessmen. BJP has never really tried to look squeaky clean. But Modi is different. He is known for his track record of growth in Gujarat, firm principles, a kind of intolerance which may in fact stand for strength to some people. He has not been accused of corruption even by his enemies, which is saying a lot for a hard-core Indian politician.

There is no need to discuss the Congress, as it is living in the past, trying to make an ageing and underperforming cricket team with no ideas or coaches to win a cricket match against two strongly led and popular teams.

Now the interesting bit. Modi and BJP seem really afraid of Aam Aadmi party. They are hell bent on proving them fakes and stooges of the Congress. Does that make sense? To me it does not. I cannot imagine a party like BJP unable to deal with a third reality. That shows some senility indeed!

Now let us come to what India wants. India wants growth, development and opportunity for all. Most Indians believe that if they get opportunities, they will succeed. Why the AAP is winning is because they are saying that the average Indian is NOT WINNING because the match is fixed. And that will get a ready echo in everyone's heart because the entire Indian society is created on inequality and nepotism.

SO AAP is a party supported by people who feel helpless and cheated. But once a country starts growing, this sense of despair will slowly give rise to a confidence, like I have seen in Singapore . The only two qualities that are timeless and will help AAP continue winning is their values of CLEAN AND HUMBLE.

What if BJP, instead of fighting the fight against clean governance and equal opportunity, also rides the SAME TWO PRINCIPLES AND THEN BRINGS IN PROVEN LEADERSHIP!!!????

So AAP = CLEAN+HUMBLE+HOPEFUL

BJP can be AAP+ LEADERSHIP.

WHY NOT!!!!!?????? IT JUST COMPLETES THE SENTENCE.

So BJP has to go back to basics and stop fighting AAP.

Unless BJP is so deeply corrupt and sick that they do NOT HOPE to be convincing as a clean and good party for the future.

IF BJP AND AAP WORK TOGETHER.......

What should AAP DO!? Become and remain the best choice for leading the mega cities of India like Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai....let them become growth centres spreading the wave of excellence and growth. Not rotting slums. Growth centres run well and cleanly in our star cities will trigger good governance and growth focus in the large populous states of India 

and at the centre, let it be run by BJP. They will also drive foreign trade, defense, commerce and home. They will generate nationwide energies for growth building around the city centres.

When two good qualities are in confrontation, it is a sad situation. Why can't someone be  good and strong!? Like the two wings of a Brahmani kite!?

Weighing God's grace

Here is a lovely story, I copied it from kshetrapuranas.wordpress.com:

*****

One day, the divine sage Narada, the creator of mischief, came to Dwaraka to offer his salutations to Sri Krishna. In the courtyard he met Satyabhama, beautifying herself with some flowers on her tresses. He walked up to her and with a voice of absolute innocence asked her, “Rani Satyabhama, dont doubt my intentions, but is it my old age or is it really true that Krishna loves Rukmini more than you?” Sathyabhama was thoroughly shaken and stood still, gaping at Narada.”You are far more beautiful and charming than her. You are the younger queen. Dont you think you deserve more attention?”, prodded Narada again. Pulling herself together, Satyabhama looked inquisitively at Narada, “Tell me divine sage, what should I do to gain his undivided attention? You are my only hope now”, she pleaded to him.

Narada, ever eager to cause confusion told, “That is my whole point of visit, mother. I have a first-class plan all hatched up to bring Krishna back to you.” Satyabhama’s eyes were twinkling and she listened to Narada with rapt attention.” You will now make a vow, that you will hand over Krishna to me as a slave. Then to keep the sanctity of the vow but also to retain Krishna to yourself, I will allow you to trade him in for an equivalent weight of your riches. Seeing that you are willing to trade in your wealth for him, Krishna will admire you for your sacrifice and will keep you close to him. The only hitch is that I do not know if your wealth will suffice to balance out Krishna’s weight”, Narada asked sceptically. Proud as ever, Satyabhama flared up, “I am the daughter of Satrajith. My wealth is limitless. I am sure that I have enough to balance Krishna. We will carry on with this plan of yours.”  And that,was exactly what Narada wanted.

Satyabhama rushed to Krishna and hurriedly told him about her unfortunate vow to Narada. Krishna patiently listened to her and very meekly nodded his head. Satyabhama then commanded one of the servants to bring out the large scales used to weigh grains and groceries. She also sent the Caretaker of the Coffers to bring out all her jewels and gold to the grand court room. And gently leading Krishna, she went to the Courtroom. All the ministers stared at the scales that had been placed at the center of the court. Their mouths further fell when they saw box after box of gold being carried inside. Krishna was silent throughout the entire time. So great was the uproar of surprise at the court that Krishna’s other queens too hurried from their Anthapuram to the main court.

Amidst all the courtiers and with Krishna himself as the witness, Satyabhama gave away Krishna in dhaana to Narada. The other wives of Krishna were shocked at this, but being ever dutiful, they did not speak out in front of the assembled court. Narada then gave her the option of taking back Krishna but instead presenting him with an equivalent weight of riches. Amidst loud sighs of relief, Satyabhama agreed to it. She then placed Krishna on one plate of the Scales and with a smirk on her face started piling up the gold, jewels and gemstones on the other plate. She kept adding more and more of her wealth, but the pan with Krishna did not even budge. To top it all Narada kept giving her ominous warnings, “Remember devi, if you fail to supply me with sufficient wealth, Krishna will forever be a slave to me. I can even bid him out to anyone I want.” Satyabhama freaked out and swallowing her pride, begged the other wives of Krishna to give her their jewels so thet they could retain Krishna. Out of their devotion to their lord,, the wives removed every gold ornament on their body until they were wearing only the Mangalsutra. But the scale showed no signs of motion. 

Krishna, always the sly cowherd, “Look Satyabhama, because of your stupid vow, I have to be a slave to this rishi. Oh how I hate this”, he complained. Satyabhama was at a loss for words when Krishna continued, “Why dont you ask Rukmini. She must be able to get us out of this predicament”, he suggested coyly. Satyabhama was in such a state that all her ill will towards Rukmini flew out of the window. Rushing to Rukmini’s private chambers she poured out the dire state of matters. Rukmini, ever calm, didnt panic and came along with Satyabhama. On the way she passed the sacred Tulasi Maadam and plucking a single leaf of Tulasi [Sacred Basil], she continued her way to the hall. She very quietly walked towards the balance and praying to Krishna, placed the single tulasi leaf on all the piled up wealth. Lo and Behold! The pan containing Krishna flew up and remained underbalanced. Shocked at this, Satyabhama looked to Krishna for explanation. “Try removing your riches, Bhama,” Krishna told her, all smiles.

*****

I feel all our offerings, pompous poojas and yagnas, prayers, special vows and fasts, all our pilgrimages, are a way of bargaining for God's grace. The moment we realize that whatever we are, whatever is, is nothing but God's grace, we will stop bargaining. That is true prayer!