Sankarabharanam Raga - Tamil songs in Sankarabharanam, the classically-rich raga.

Raga Sankarabharanam is usually associated with pure classical songs. Lots of Thyagaraja Kirtans and other varnams are composed in this raga. This raga has a royal touch to it and hence songs composed in this raga are sure to stay in your playlists for a long time. Film music composers too embedded this raga in many of their compositions. Especially there are lots of Ilaiyaraaja songs in this raga which we will see in this post.

Though Sankarabharanam is not used in its unadulterated state, traces of this raga can be heard in many film songs. One of the oldest compositions which is the ideal example of this raga is the song Chandrodhayam from the 1942 fantasy movie Kannagi. This song was composed by musician S.V. Venkatraman. Another beautiful song which displays the elegance of Sankarabharanam is the song Omkara Naadhanu from the Carnatic-music based Telugu movie Shankarabharanam. S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki rendered the mellifluous tune flawlessly and K.V. Mahadevan's composition is still a huge hit with classical music lovers. 

Moving on to Ilaiyaraaja's compositions, there are famous songs composed in Sankarabharanam raga. His earliest number in this raga was Indha Minminiku Kannil Oru from the 1978 Kamal Hassan starrer Sigappu Rojakkal. This sensuous romantic melody has Sankarabharanam playing hide-and-seek in many lines. Then came the popular song Germaniyin Senthen Malare from the movie Ullasa Paravaigal. Once again, this was a chirpy romantic melody in the evergreen voices of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. K.S. Chitra's ultimate song Kuzhaloodhum Kannanukku from Mella Thiranthathu Kadhavu is a quintessential example of Sankarabharanam. Mamavukku Kuduma Kuduma from Punnagai Mannan is a foot-tapping number with traces of this raga. Another peppy song is Pudhu Mappillaikku from the 1989 hit Aboorva Sagodharargal, which is an innovative composition. There have been intricate fusion compositions like Poove Ilaiye Poove from Kozhi Koovuthu (sung sonorously by Malaysia Vasudevan) and Pudhucheri Katcheri from Singaravelan. 

Ada Veetukku Veetukku and Pacha Malai Poovu from Kizhakku Vaasal are songs with a folksy touch. Vachikkava Unna Mattum from Nallavanuku Nallavan, Podi Nadaiya Ponavare from Kadalora Kavidhaigal and Per Vechalum Vekkama from Michael Madana Kamarajan are totally folk numbers which are based on this raga. The ever-popular song Kanmani Anbodu from the Kamal Hassan movie Guna is a wonderful example of Sankarabharanam. Two beautiful songs from the movie Chembaruthi have this raga as their base - Nila Kaayum Neram and Pattu Poove Mettu Paadu. Ilaiyaraaja has composed a heart-melting pathos Thene Thenpandi Meene from the movie Udhaya Geetham.

A.R. Rahman has also used Sankarabharanam in his very first composition Chinna Chinna Aasai from Roja. Neethan En Desiya Geetham from Paarthale Paravasam begins with Sankarabharanam and steers towards Hamir Kalyani and Behag. Music composer Deva has adopted this raga for the beautiful melody Pulveli Pulveli from Aasai. 

Other amazing songs in this Sankarabharanam raga from Tamil Cinema:

1. Aadungal Paadungal from Guru

2. Alapol Velapol from Ejamaan

3. April Mayile from Idhayam

4. Dhillubar Jaane from Kalaignan

5. Maalai En Vedhanai from Sethu

6. Malayala Karaiyoram from Rajadhi Raja

7. Paadi Va Thendrale from Kokkarako

8. Apdi Paakuradhellam from Ivan

9. Singaara Pennoruthi from Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam

Check out other ragas and their Tamil songs here:

1. Abheri Raga

2. Charukesi Raga

3. Mohanam Raga

4. Kalyani and Hamir Kalyani Raga

5. Gowri Manohari Raga

6. Sindhu Bhairavi Raga