Ninnu Sevinchina – A Devotional Gem in Yadukulakamboji

Ninnu Sevinchina I Subbaraya Sastri I Raga Yadukulakamboji I Carnatic vocal I S. Mahadevan
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Composition: ‘Ninnu Sevinchina’
Raga: Yadukulakamboji
Tala: Misra Chapu
Composer: Subbaraya Sastri

This composition, ‘Ninnu Sevinchina’, is a beautiful and poignant kriti by Subbaraya Sastri. The lyrics, in Telugu, express the composer's deep devotion and surrender to the Goddess, typically referring to Goddess Kamakshi or another form of Parvati. It is a heartfelt plea for her grace and protection, highlighting the futility of worldly pursuits and the sole reliance on divine mercy.

Subbaraya Sastri (c. 1803–1862) was a brilliant Carnatic music composer and the son of Syama Sastri, one of the revered 'Trinity' of Carnatic music composers. His compositions reflect a unique blend of his father's profound melodic depth and the influences of Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar, under whom he also received training. He was born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.
Subbaraya Sastri inherited a rich musical legacy, being tutored by his father and, according to tradition, also learning from Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar at different points. This unique combination of influences shaped his distinctive compositional style, which is characterised by intricate melodic patterns, subtle rhythmic nuances and a strong devotional fervor.
Subbaraya Sastri's kritis are known for their sophisticated chittaswaras (pre-composed melodic passages) and swarajatis (a compositional form combining swaras and jatis). His compositions often have a contemplative and melancholic bhava (mood). Most of his compositions are in Telugu or Sanskrit. He did not use a specific mudra in the same consistent way as the Trinity, but some compositions might include phrases that hint at his lineage or devotion.

Yadukulakamboji is a highly emotive and majestic Janya Raga (derived scale) of the 28th Melakarta Raga, Harikambhoji.
The raga is known for its profound devotional and melancholic quality, often conveying a sense of longing, pathos, and tender love. It is considered a rakthi raga (a raga that is pleasing to the ear and evokes strong emotion) and a ghana raga (a raga of grand and forceful character). It is a raga that allows for extensive improvisation and deeply moves the listener.

An outstanding young talent, S. Mahadevan shot to fame when he emerged a winner in ‘Ragaratnam’, a reality show on Indian classical music, in 2008. An A-grade artiste with All India Radio for Vocals and Veena, he is a disciple of his grandmother N. Lalitha, Mavelikkara Subramaniam, Parassala Ponnammal and Kavalam Sajeev.

Carnatic vocal: S. Mahadevan
Violin: Swetha Anandasivan
Mridangam: Cherthala Krishnakumar
Ghatam: Anchal Krishna Iyer

Camera: Prem Ponnan, Saji Uthramcode, Jijo Angamaly
Editing: Anoop Rajasekharan
Sound: Anantha Krishnan, Vysakh, Arjun A. J.
Studio: Cameo
Production Manager: Suresh Kodunganoor
Assistant Director: Anuradha Santhosh
Concept: Sreekumar Pillai
Creative Support: Ramakrishnan Sarma
Production: Silent River Media
Direction: Santhosh Karunakaran Thampi