Have you ever heard the beautiful Carnatic song, “Alai Payuthe Kanna”? If not, you’re in for a real treat! Composed by Oothukkadu Venkata Subba Iyer, is one of the most beloved Carnatic compositions of all time. Let’s take a closer look at its history and meaning.
Theme of the Alaipayuthey Kanna Song
The woman stands in the meadow, looking for her beloved flautist, longing and filled with sadness. The soothing melody of the flute helps to calm her restless heart. she desires to reunite her in a tranquil forest where he will make her feel alive again. Her feelings range from intense love to doubt and jealousy as she questions the fairness of life. Her heart rises and falls in a cycle of love, sorrow and hope as she awaits his return.
The poet-composer Oothukadu Venkata Subbaiyer (c. 1700-1765) conveys a longing for spirituality in his Kriti ‘Alai Payude Kanna’. Here he depicted Radha’s waiting for Krishna is symbolic of bhaktas’ desire for union with the divine. We beg for Moksha, just as she begs for union. It is like a release from this cycle of birth and death so that we may be united with the divine.
The flute’s melody takes one into a meditative state. This evokes feelings of grief and doubt due to jealousy and lack of faith. The restless mind constantly seeks the Lord like an ocean’s never-ending waves. Though the material world distracts her from her spiritual goal, she never stops believing in true love. The song ends on a beautiful note of hope for union with Him. From Radha’s struggle and longing to our own, ‘Alai Payuthe Kanna’ reminds us that we will be reunited one day with what we seek.
The composer expresses sadness in Raga Kanada by using a melody that follows the movement of waves, with rising and falling notes.
Devotees perform this composition as part of devotional concerts and is one of the most beloved Carnatic songs today.
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Check out this awesome recital by famous carnatic musician Sudha Raghunathan.
