Music heals and lifts our spirits like nothing else. So why not listen to this soothing tanam by D Srinivas, one of India’s best exponents of the Saraswati Veena? In this video, D Srinivas plays a melodic improvisation in linear rhythmic progression in Rag Sriranjani.

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In this Darbar release, we bring to you Raga Sriranjani, which is fabled in Hindu tradition as the favourite Raga of Goddess Lakshmi. Hindus worldwide worship Goddess Lakshmi to bring in auspiciousness into their homes: She is the goddess of prosperity and wealth in the Hindu Pantheon.

Raag Sriranjani is a derivative Raga of Kharaharapriya, the 22nd Melakarta Raga of the Carnatic Raga system. It omits Pa or the 5th note in its ascent and descent and stands as a hexatonic Raga. There is an inherent perkiness to it that makes Sriranjani apt for melodic accompaniment in multi-percussion ensembles in Carnatic concerts known as Taal Vadya Kutcheri.

D Srinivas learned the Veena from his mother D.L. Tulasi and played his first concert at the age of 9. There is a sophistication in the way he develops the Ragas that makes his recitals a big appeal even to audiences outside the Carnatic genre. His treatment of the Raga is wholesome and there are moments of dramatic pauses that lend a high to this piece; The meends (gliding notes) are effortless and the use of the base strings create a flawless tonal quality.

This is part of Darbar’s on-location series where recitals are held in beautiful locations around India and the video and audio quality is optimized to give the feeling of an intimate setting of a Baithak or private soiree.