Madhuvanthi Raaga

I was recently listening to the tamil film song " Kanda naal mudhala "( From the movie 'Kanda naal mudhal') and was mesmerized by the beauty of the raaga "Madhuvanthi" ( The raaga in which the song has been composed).

The song is actually a carnatic music composition by N.C.Chidambaram , which has been cleverly remixed by Yuvan shankar raja in the movie. Madhuvanthi is a beautiful evening raaga and really lives upto its name ( Madhuvanthi - The one that is sweet as honey).

Further googling , revealed that the Raaga is derived from the Melakartha raagam Dharmavathi and has an equivalent hindustani counterpart.

Its not the first time that I am hearing Madhuvanthi in movies. Illayaraja composed a gem of a song " Meendum Meendum Vaa " in Vikram based on the same raaga. Another Raja gem resembling Madhvanthi is the song " Ilancholai Poothadha" from the movie 'Ananda Raagam'.

MSV has tuned a wonderful song too . The unforgetable " Ilakkanam maarudho" ( What amazing lyrics by Kannadasan !) in Nizhal Nijamagiradhu is quoted as Madhuvanthi in some websites (Any experts out there who can clarify ?) .

MS has rendered a beautiful Bhajan in the same raaga and the Lalgudi thillana in Madhuvanthi is quite famous too.Last but not least the inspiring Bharathiar song " Nalladhor Veenai" (one of the versions) is set in raaga Madhuvanthi too.

P.S : I have provided audio links to all the songs. Listen and enjoy when you find time.