Ugaabhoga

Ugaabhoga - Those few lines that are sung before a devaranama (sometimes) or little compositions on its own, in kannada are very interesting chunks of discussion.

Ugaabhogas have been part of Carnatic music since centuries. Ugaabhogas were composed by Haris Daasas like Vyasaraya and Purandaradasa during the 13th century. What is interesting about Ugaabhogas is that they are simple and short in -construction, they are easily comprehendible, they talk about bhakthi, mainly hari bhakthi, very typical of the strict madhva community, they talk about life, the essence of life, about the importance of being associated with God and not with materialistic desires that ultimately lead us nowhere in life, and most of all they are raga based. Like how Hindustani has Abhang, Javalis, etc, Carnatic has Padha, Sulaadhi, Ugaabhogas and many more forms that add variety and vigor to the music form on the whole.

A small example is Dasanaguvudhakke Esu Janmada Sukruthavo - Raga Hindhola – by Purandhara Dasa, considered as the Father of Carnatic Music. The lines are as follows:

Dasanaguvudhakke esu janmada sukruthavo
Bhaasura ravi koti shreesha sugunavantha
Naasharahita ninna daasara daasyava
Lesaagi kodu kandya purandhara vithhala

Here daasa is pleading to God to allow him to be his disciple and give him that little right of slavery. Set in raga Hindhola, when this piece is typically sung before devaranama, Dasa Dasara Maneya, Dasaanu Daasa in Hindhola again, it is a feast for the ears.

Another example is Thumbida Maneya Mele Thulasidhalavanittu – Raga Kambodhi . A very interesting piece that talks about the variety of kannada compositions written during the 13th century, written by Sri Vyasaraya himself, humbly speaking about Daasa dharma and how Hari bhakthi has elated him to deliver these lakhs of compositions. Here is the script (may seem difficult to pronounce since it is kannada written in English):

Thumbida Maneya Mele Thulasidhalavanittu
Hari samarpithavendhu horage bandhu
Thraasu thoogidha kaiyige
Thaala thamboorigala melavannalavadisi modhadhindha
Vyasarayara manthropadesha padedhu
Lalitha kannada nudiya lakshopalaksha
Padha, sulaadhi, ugaabhoga nidhiya rachisi
Sarala sumadhura sangeetha saraniyindha
Sulabhavaagiye haribhakthi sudheyanunisi
Daasa dharma dhivyopadhesha gaiyidhu
Suramuneendhraamsha sambhootha
Sujanavinutha shree purandhara dasa sadhguruvarenya

While the Hari Dasas triggered the Bhakthi movement during the 13th century, their contribution towards carnatic music, their urge to reach out to common man, and the kind of success they received for their marvelous efforts and contributions is seen even today, when me, you or any third person tap feet to those great devaranamas like Thamboori Meetidava, or Pillangoviya Cheluva Krishnana, or even Vyarthavaayithalla Janmavu Saarthakaagalilla. The message that every composition carries to common man is what is to be identified and appreciated.

Here I end my post on Ugaabhogas, bowing humbly to all those noted personalities who filled music with life and who are continuing to fill my life with peace and divinity.

Do feel free to add on to the post.