Bharatanatyam dancer and Founder of Varna Arts Academy, Smitha Madhav is going places with her voice. In just over a month, she has released a couple of songs on her YouTube channel. Speaking to Natyahasini, the disciple of Hyderabad sisters, Smitha Madhav says that on the occasion of Independence Day, she unveiled a Patriotic Song, ‘Jaya Bērigai Kottuvom’, a lively song that pays homage to many of our freedom fighters. “I am sure this song resonates with the audience, since it pays tribute to many of our freedom fighters and founding fathers, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Gandhiji and others,” says Smitha.
The dancer shares that this patriotic song is extra special since it also pays homage to Shri C Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), the first Indian head of state (he was the Governor General of India from 1948 to 1950), who is the great grandfather of her husband Shri CR Kesavan, who was inspired by his illustrious ancestor and entered the public life at an early age. “This song celebrates the joy and ebullience of a newly formed nation. It is a composition of the venerated Tamil composer – Shri Papanasam Sivan. Set to a joyous Kambhoji Ragam and brisk Adi Talam, to me this song symbolises the spirit of India – resilient, strong and vibrant,” she says. Smitha has been accompanied by Embar Kannan on Violin and Ganapathi Subramanian on Percussion.
Also, to celebrate Teacher’s Day, Smitha sang a composition of Sant Kabir – Kaun Bataayein Baat Guru Bina, extolling the greatness of the Guru. As is believed it is only with the grace of the Guru that one can overcome the vagaries of life. She also unveiled Sri Sankara’s Ranganatha Ashtakam. A simple shloka comprising of eight verses, that describe the beauty, splendour and mercy of Lord Sri Ranganatha in simple chaste Sanskrit. Srirangam, the seat of Lord Sri Ranganatha, is known as the Bhooloka Vaikuntham and is the first among the 108 Divya Desams.