Celebrating 50 years of Music and Maestro

This day 14th May 2026 marks 50 years since the introduction of Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja in the annals of mainstream music. It was on this special date etched in time on 14th May 1976 that witnessed the official arrival of Maestro to the world of music and what a remarkable journey it has been spanning a milestone of 5 glorious decades.

To take a medium like music and create such an everlasting impact lasting half a century is simply mind boggling. Years, generations, centuries and eras may pass but I'm sure the music will live on for eternity. Grateful for all the wonderful musical creations and enriching our lives in ways more than we can ever imagine.

For any kind of situation, mood, feeling, emotion or theme an Ilaiyaraaja number always comes in handy. I don't believe in hero worship but I worship music and Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja is truly one of its greatest custodians. A genuine byword when it comes to music and extremely blessed to have been a recipient of all the majestic music unleashed from his eximious oeuvre. Celebrating 50 years of the man, the Maestro and the magic of music on this historic landmark golden jubilee day.

Jai Sri Ram!

Lord Rama is believed to have descended on earth by being born to King Dasharath and Queen Kausalya eons of years ago around the afternoon time at Abhijit Muhurtha in the luni solar month of Chaitra during the waxing phase of Moon in Shukla Paksha Navami Tithi aligned with Punarvasu Nakshatra transiting in the skies. It was a birth embellished with brightness and radiance all round with 5 of the Navagrahas being exalted viz Sun in Aries, Jupiter in Cancer, Saturn in Libra, Mars in Capricorn and Venus in Pisces. And to accentuate, the Moon is stationed in it's own sign of Cancer along with the rising ascendant sign. The incarnation of Rama is said to have occurred directly from the Sun God and the Lord is the seventh avatar of Maha Vishnu.

Rama's attributes signify valour, virtue, duty, dedication, commitment, faith, sacrifice, righteousness and a host of other dignified and distinguished traits. He symbolises the perfect example of how a human being should lead a life thus attaining the apt title of 'Maryada Purushottama'. He is revered as a super hero for his steadfast discipline and strongly oriented principles. He is a God of ideals bestowing kindness and benevolence to mankind.

On this special birth anniversary when the entire nation celebrates his divine personification, a small labour of love from my side in attempting to play a few lines from some of his lilting bhajans extolling effusiveness of his enshrined embodiment. There is an extra inkling and special liking towards Lord Rama hymns as I usually find them to be divine, pious and aurally pleasing. Also to add, personally blessed to have the privilege of sharing the Lord's birth Nakshatra of Punarpoosam/Punarvasu/Punartham. The strived pieces include:

- Raghupathi Raghava

- Ramachandraya Janaka

- Sri Ramachandra Kripala

- Shuddha Brahma Paratpara Ram

- Sri Rama Rama Ramethi (Vishnu Sahasranamam)

Let generations to come continue to celebrate Lord Rama with fervour and fanfare till the end of eternity. May his grace and generosity be prevalent to everyone and wishing for peace to prevail and emerge at the forefront for the world at large. Genuflections to our Great God on his extra special Birthday. Jai Sri Ram!

The Date of celebrating New Year in different South Indian States!

Have you ever wondered why different states in the South of India celebrate new year on different days? There is an astrological as well as a traditional mindset associated mostly with respect to the sunrise/sunset of the day. In all the Indian festivals the sidereal year is adopted but the basis may either be the solar calendar or lunar calendar. Let's take a look at the dates in which new year is being celebrated in these Southern states.

Telugu and Karnataka New Year (Ugadi/Yugadi):
This is based on the lunar calendar which involves the relationship of both Sun and Moon. Ugadi occurs once the moon passes the Sun placed in Pisces (Meena) Rasi signifying the beginning of a new lunar month Chaitra. In other words we can also say the 1st tithi which gets formed viz Pratipada (first day of the bright fortnight of a new Hindu month) that occurs after Ammavasya. In the year 2019, Pratipada Tithi occured in the afternoon of the 5th of April but since sunrise needs to be prevailing only the next day 6th of April was considered for celebration of the new year. However if Pratipada Tithi prevails on 2 days of sunrise, the first day is considered. One thing to note with regard to Ugadi is it can take place any day from the mid of March to the mid of April.

Tamil New Year (Puthandu or Varsha Pirappu):
This is based on the solar calendar and involves the presence of Sun exclusively. The moon's position does not have a bearing in the scheme of things. It takes place with the Sun's ingress in to the sign of Aries (Mesha) signifying the beginning of the first day of the tamil month of Chithirai. It is also termed as Mesha Sankranthi. Astrologically it can also be said that Sun's entry point into the first constellation of Ashwini marks the start of a new year. It is also said to be the first day of Thai indicating the marking of harvest season. In Tamil Nadu, if the event occurs before Sunset it is considered as occurring on the same day however if it happens after Sunset hours (roughly on the mark of 6pm and above), then it is only celebrated on the next day. Varsha Pirappu always takes place in and around the mid of April depending on the Panchang being employed.

Kerala New Year (Vishu):
This follows the same logic as the Tamil New year and occurs with the sun's entry into the zodiac sign of Mesha (Aries). However the only difference being the day of sunrise needs to be prevalent and hence it occurs a day later than the Tamil New Year. This year it took place on the 15th of Apr 2019 and the reason for that is as per Kerala Panchangam, Sun entered Aries in the afternoon of 14th April 2019. During sun rise time on the 14th Apr 2019 it was still in Pisces and so the first day of sunrise after Sun's entry into Aries marks the celebration of Vishu.

Hence to summarize the above information briefly;
Telugu/Karnataka New Year:
Calendar - Lunar Calendar
Month - Chaitra (start of Pratipada Tithi - first day of Shukla Paksha)
Sunrise/Sunset - Sunrise needs to be prevalent on day of Tithi formation, if not considered next day.

Tamil New Year:
Calendar - Solar Calendar
Month - Chithirai (entry point of Sun in Mesha - Aries)
Sunrise/Sunset - At least sunset needs to be present on the day of Sun entering Mesha, if not considered in the next day.

Kerala New Year:
Calendar - Solar Calendar
Month - Chitra (entry point of Sun in Mesha - Aries)
Sunrise/Sunset - Sunrise needs to be prevalent on the day of Sun entering Mesha, if not considered in the next day.