SHRIVIDYA SANKEERTHANA SUDHALAHARI by Maharaja Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. Published by Maharani Dr. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, wife of Maharaja Srkantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar. Edited by Vidwan N. Channakeshavaiah. 2019. Hardbound. 528 pages (16 photo pages+512 pages). Price 900 rupees.
Maharaja Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, the 25th Maharaja of Mysuru, was a versatile composer and this magnum opus titled “Sri Jayachamarajakrutha Srividya Sankeerthana Sudhalahari” was launched during the inauguration of the birth centenary celebrations of the Maharaja. It contains 97 music compositions in Kannada and Sanskrit along with the music notes. The diacritic marks and gamaka signs used, the raga and tala, raga lakshana and the meaning of the song are mentioned in the book for easy understanding. The first song is Gajananam Ganapatim Bhajeham in Todi raga and chaturasra Matya tala. The concluding composition is Srimahatripurasundari in Bindumalini raga chaturasra Matya tala.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, President, HHSNW Foundation, Mysuru, stated that hand-written 94 music compositions in the royal family’s collection had been deciphered, written and edited by Vidwan N. Channakeshavaiah, whose Foreword has also been included in the book. Three more kritis have been included from the Chintalapalli traditions collection and edited by Vidwan Dr. Srikantham Nagendra Shastry, thereby making a total list of 97 compositions brought out in book form for the use of musicians and researchers. “We are looking for about 108 more compositions that the Maharaja has written,” said the Maharani. She stated that the book is a tribute to the Maharaja, who was known for his musical acumen, and published by the royal family.
Mysuru Palace to Music Academy Madras
Interestingly, our Librarian Mysore K. Jagadish, spotted the book at a conference he attended in Mysore. The book was with one of his professional friends. Due to lack of information about who to approach for a copy, he tried contacting several sources for about two weeks in vain. Pursuing his efforts, he finally located the Secretary of the Foundation and requested a copy, on payment. The Secretary, noting that the request came from the Music Academy Madras, referred the request to the President of the Foundation Maharani Dr. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, who advised the Secretary to donate the book to the Music Academy Madras.
Similar books in the Academy library are:
Royal composer Shri Jayachaamaraajendra Wodeyar’s COMPLETE MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS WITH ANALYSIS by Vidwan V. Nanjudaswamy.
GEETA GANAMRUTAM. Select Compositions of Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar (Volume-1). Compilation, Notation & Audio Recording by Vidushi Mangalam Shankar
S. JANAKI
