The album is titled Mohanam. The arohana and avarohana go like this in this raga: Sa, Ri Ga, Pa, Dha, Sa & Sa, Dha, Pa, Ga, Ri, Sa. Mohanam is said to be one of the oldest ragas. Many of our ancient compositions are in this raga. Saint Manikkavachakar has made use of Mohanam in Tiruvachakam hymns. Needless to say, great composers of Carnatic music, especially the Trinity, have composed many a kriti in this raga.

In the modern era too, many vocalists like Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer and Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar were fond of this raga. Sangeetha Kalanidhi D.K. Pattammal often rendered the kriti of Ambi Dikshitar’s varnam Kapaleeshwaram (Mohanam) in her concerts. M.L.Vasantha Kumari also had given prominence to this raga by considering it as the main raga in her concerts.

The Album begins with the varnam “Kapali” composed by Ambi Dikshitar. The brisk varnam is followed by Tyagaraja’s “Dayarani,” which is rendered with fine features of Mohanam. Nityashree has rendered the kriti “Evvarura” composed by Tyagaraja with an elaborate alapana and absorbing kalpana swaras. Next comes “Swagatham Krishna” of Oothukadu Venkata Subbair’s composition, which is again quite catchy and where Jathi Swaras are applied. “Kadambari” follows this. This is rendered with so much melody. “Tiruvachagam” is followed by “Soundarya” of Papanasam Sivan.

“Giridhara Gopala” composed by Papanasam sivan is presented well. This is indeed a famous song sung by M.S.Subbulakshmi in the film “Meera”. Finally, it concludes with “Mohamella” Javeli composed by Dharmapuri Subbarayar and Tirrupugazh.

Nityashree is supported by Dr.Hemalatha on Violin, Poongulam S.Subramaniam on Mridangam and Coimbatore S.Viswanathan on the Ghattam.

The cassette is priced at Rs.50 and produced by Charsur Digital Workshop.