ROOPA IN SIX YARDS
A CARNATIC PLAYLIST
Roopa In Six Yards: A Carnatic Playlist by Roopa Mahadevan is an homage to Carnatic music, a rich song tradition that gives life to many listeners across the world. Embedded in Roopa's renditions is unspeakable gratitude to her gurus Asha Ramesh and Suguna Varadachari who gave her the gift of voice and taught her that there is no music without sincerity.
The name Six Yards is an ode to the sari, the elegant six yard cloth that Roopa wears when performing Carnatic music. This ritual mirrors the listener's transformation as they enter the world of raga, tala, and the stories that lie between.
Much like the contemporary sari which reinvents and builds upon an elegant tradition, Roopa's joyous but soulful renditions distinctively reimagine and enhance the classical Carnatic art form.
ABOUT
ARTIST INFORMATION
MRIDANGAM
Rajesh Srinivasan
LISTEN
BUY
"Carnatic vocalist with a voice praised throughout India and the U.S. for its strength, depth, and agility."
- Chicago Reader
TRACKS
Roopa in Six Yards: A Carnatic Playlist presents seven songs from 15th - 20th century India in the languages Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, and Telegu. Each song also has an English title, inviting uninitiated audiences. The album contains two interludes - reminiscent of the “real talk” tracks of ‘90s hip hop and R&B albums - allowing listeners to become more acquainted with the words, sentiments, and inspirations that animate Roopa. These will be released as bonus tracks at a later date.
1 Date Night / Brindāvanadolu
Raga: Thillang | Tala: Adi (8 beats)
Composer: Purandara Dasa | Language: Kannada
2 Grand Vishnu Hotel / Bhaja Mādhavam
Raga: Kapi | Tala: Adi (8 beats)
Composer: Mysore Vasudevachar | Language: Sanskrit
3 Shimmer / Thillānā
Raga: Sindhubhairavi | Tala: Adi (8 beats)
Composer: S. Kalyanaraman | Language: Tamil
4 Nī / Nīrajākshi
(feat. Sruti Sarathy on violin)
Raga: Hindolam | Tala: Rupaka (12 beats)
Composer: Muttuswami Dikshithar |
Language: Sanskrit
5 Praying with Paati / Paruvam Pārkka
Raga: Dhanyasi | Tala: Rupaka (6 beats)
Composer: Anai Ayya | Language: Tamil
Interlude (Bhakti)
6 Gusts from Elsewhere / Indha Parāmugam
Raga: Purvikalyani | Tala: Adi (8 beats)
Composer: Kavimani Desika Vinayakam Pillai | Language: Tamil
Interlude (Joy)
7 Marching, Marching / Nadachi Nadachi
Raga: Kharaharapriya | Tala: Adi (16 beats)
Composer: Thyagaraja | Language: Telegu
"As spontaneous and joyful as the singer herself, the album is refreshing and uncompromising exploration of a wide range of compositions from the Carnatic cannon. With this recording, Roopa is bound to expand the audience for this traditional music."
- David Ellenbogen, Artistic Director of Brooklyn Raga Massive and Ragas Live Festival
"Roopa Mahadevan's virtuosic voice navigates a panoply of complex scales and rhythms with startling ease. Any fans of driving beats and airtight ensemble cohesion, who are willing to venture a few steps past their safety zones, will be rewarded with an electrifying listening experience."
- Christopher Tin, Grammy Award-Winning Classical and Crossover Composer
DATE NIGHT / BRINDĀVANDOLU
PRAYING WITH PAATI / PARUVAM PĀRKKA
Raga: Thillang | Tala: Adi (8 beats)
Composer: Purandara Dasa | Language: Kannada
Raga: Dhanyasi | Tala: Rupaka (6 beats)
Composer: Anai Ayya | Language: Tamil
ALBUM CREDITS
Recorded: AV Digital Studio, Mumbai; Mason Jar Music, Brooklyn; Krimson Avenue Studios, Chennai
Mixed and Mastered: Ishit Kuberkar at SoundPotion Studios, Chennai
Video Shot & Edited: Juhi Sharma
Album Art: Vidya Cowsik Santosh
Album Advisors: Shiv Subramaniam and Amrita Doshi