Saturday, January 16, 2010

Vasudeva Kudumbakam

“The country whose young men are imbued with the glory of the past, the pain of the present and dreams of the future, always moves on the path of progress” - Ŕiśhi Aravinda

India is 62 years old. But Bhārat is 121 Million years old and Ajanābhavarshā (land of the navel of god) is 1.972 Billion years old.

When we look back at our own history, we can see so many events that we have been blinded from by selfish, biased historians and textbooks. Till the beginning of the 18th century, there was no one who doubted the history of Bhārat. From the last two hundred years, the British enforced a pseudo model of the history of Bhārat which credits Bhārathiyas as barbaric, foreign invaders and uncultured people. This model of the history of Bhārat was initiated by Max Muller and supported by William Jones, Thomas Young, Mortimer Wheeler, A.L. Basham, Joseph de Goubinau, Dwight Witney and others. They claim that Aryans came from outside (Eastern Russia) and invaded the northern parts of Bhārat around 1500 BC. They also claim that the Aryans displaced the uncivilized Dravidians and wrote the Vēdas. Referring to a number of resources, several scholars have begun to question this. Let me explain why in this article.

Let us enter the time machine and make a voyage through our opulent history!

The year is 120 million BC. No, we are not in a lush rainforest. We are in the capital of the Solar Dynasty (Ravi Kulam)- the majestic city of Ayodhya. The city was built in an orderly fashion. The streets were lined with gold and in the center of the city was the imperial palace which housed king Iksvaku, son of Vaivaswan and grandson of the Sun god. Many generations later, Rama was born in the same city. (Bhadrajalam Ramadasar called Shri Rama as “Iksvaku Kula Thilaka” in his famous yadukula kāmbhōji krithi.) So, were we barbarians?

As per our scriptures, the first civilizations started in Bhārat. Later it spread to the rest of the world. Around 95 million BC, there was a great king called Bali who ruled over the whole world. King Bali was a philanthropist and gave a lot to poor people. Soon people became scared that once he was dead, fighting would break out between his sons. They prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu incarnated on the earth as a small boy named Vamana. Vamana came to King Bali's court and asked him for the three steps of land (that is Asia, Europe and Africa). King Bali gave it to Vamana without any hesitation. Once Vamana had the three steps of land, he sent King Bali to the nether world (South America) – almost an antipode of India. King Bali established civilizations in Purva (Sanskrit word for East or present day Peru). Maya, the great architect of Bali, established the Mayan civilization. So, did the Mayans come from across the globe?

At a much recent time (6000BC), there was a king called Yayati. He was cursed by a sage to lose his youth and become old. He asked his first son, Druhyu for his youth. Druhyu refused and was sent away. Druhyu and his men migrated west to Saudi Arabia and Persia. Then Yayati went to his second son Anu for his youth. Anu refused and migrated with his men to Greece and Egypt (Anu was also known as Yavana. "Yona or Yavana" is a Pali word used in ancient India to designate Greek speakers and Greeks still call themselves Ionians evolved from Yavanas!). Yayati asked his third son Turkvasa for his youth. He refused and settled in Turkey which was named after him. Turkvasālai became Turkey. Finally, Yayati came to his fourth and final son, Puru, who gave Yayati his youth. Contrary to popular belief, did the Greeks come from Asia?

There was once a king called Janamejaya who ruled over Hastinapura around 3000 BC. His father had been killed by the Nāga (serpent) king. So, he started a great sacrifice killing nāgas. Sage Astȋka was the one who stopped this pogrom. The nāgas called themselves the astikas and migrated to the nether world to become the Aztecs and to China to start the Hwang-Ho civilization. So Mexicans are really Indians? No wonder even their eating habits are close? Like Tortilla is a version of Chapathis?

Ancient Indian scriptures talk of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi. But we see Ganga and Yamuna only. What happened to Saraswathi? Recent scientific and archaeological evidence shows us that there was once a civilization on the Saraswati River. Neither is it a mythical river nor is it an underground river. It doesn’t exist today but used to exist before the Indian Subcontinent collided with Asia. It used to flow into the ancient Tethys Sea. Now it has disappeared with the continental movements.

Our ancient texts repeatedly mention four oceans when there are only three today.
“He, who fixed firm the moving earth; who tranquilized the incensed mountains; who spread the spacious firmament; who consolidated the heaven; he, men, is Indra.” Rig Veda- This tells us that we observed the formation of the Himalayas. So, is it possible that the Bharat Civilization is older than even the Continental drifts from Pangea?

Wow! From the above evidences, is it possible that Bhārat, is the source of human civilization and we are all part of one big family?

Sources-
• Murthy, Krishna. Bharata Jivana Tarangini. Mangalore, India: Diganta Mudranalaya.
• www.wikipedia.org
• Rigvēdādi- ChaturVēdabāshya- Maharishi Dayānandha Saraswati
• Chronology of ancient India- Seethanāth Pradhān

धन्यवाद:
“You have right to perform your prescribed duty, but do not perform duty with expectation of your favorable result (Never consider yourself as the cause of the result of your activities). And never be attached to not doing your duty.”
-Lord Sri Krishna

The above article was published in the "Sri Ayyappa Vision 2010" magazine, a publication of the Sri Ayyappa Society of Tampa (SASTA), Inc.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Gopala and the goatherd!

Although I have read many Indian stories, my favorite one is below. I've heard it many times but I still see different angles of it every time I hear it. Enjoy-

There was once a boy who lived with his mother on the outskirts of a village. When he became old enough, he started going to school. The school was a few miles away and he had to cross a jungle.
On the first day, he was really excited to go to school. But he got really scared and came home running after school as he was afraid of walking through the jungle in the dark. When his mother found out, she prayed to Lord Krishna to help her son.
The next day, the child did not want to go to school. His mother alleviated his fear by telling him that brother Gopala would accompany him through the jungle. The child agreed and left to school. In the jungle a boy appeared from behind a tree. The mysterious boy said he was Gopala and the child's mother had asked him to come. The child was overjoyed and came back home that day without a sign of fright.
Everyday, Gopala played with the child on the way to school. One day, the school headmaster told each child to bring some food item to school so they could have a potluck party. The child went home and asked his mother for something to take. They didn't have anything at home, so his mother told him to go ask Gopala for something. The next morning, while walking to school, he asked Gopala for something. Gopala gave him a small pot full of yogurt. At the school, the children kept eating yogurt, but the pot never got empty. The headmaster poured the yogurt into every pot he had, but it still didn't get empty. Finally, the headmaster asked the child where he had got the pot. The child said he had gotten it from brother Gopala in the forest. The headmaster was atheistic and didn't believe that Gopala existed. The child took the headmaster to the forest. The child kept calling for Gopala but he didn't respond. Then a voice was heard. It said that those who do not believe in god will not be able to see him. The headmaster felt ashamed of himself and returned to the school to become religious.
“Faith and devotion makes everything possible.”

Chennai Concert 2009

Remember, I had sung in the Nandalala program in Tampa? From then on, I wanted to sing before Akka. Finally the opportunity came this summer!
She asked me to give a concert during the Aadi Velli (Friday) (July 17, 2009) celebrations. This venue was the Yogananda hall in Adyar. This was a wonderful opportunity of singing in front of Shri Akka (Srimathi Madioli Saraswati).
I was accompanied by a very senior local artist on the violin and the very talented Akshay Ram on the mridangam. The first song I sang was a GNB varnam in the raga Andolika. Next was Gananathane in Saranga. The third song was Sri Saraswati in Arabi. Coincidently, when I started singing this song, Akka entered the room! This was as if it was meant to be and planned. Then I sang Mayadeetha Swarupini in Mayamalavagowla. The main piece was Himadri suthe in Kalyani. I gave a good crisp alapana, short neravals and brisk swaras and was followed by a thani. I finished off with some thukadas and finally Bagyathalakshmi baaramma.
This was the first time I got a plaque after the concert. Later, I was blessed by Shri Akka. The chief guest was Mr. Ganesh, one of Maharajapuram Santhanam’s disciple and he gave me a good set of advises that will be useful for me for long time to come!

The worst thing came after the concert. My mother had recorded the concert on a new JVC camcorder and this was lost the next day. Unfortunately, I don’t have any recording or pictures of this concert or Akka ;(!

Cleveland Aradhana 2009


It all began 6 months before the program in the month of November.....
I had been chosen by Ramani Sir to sing in the Sustaining Sampradaya for the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana. The topic was Shyama Sastri kritis. The classes had already begun by mid November. The first two songs were taught by Jayalakshmi Santhanam maami. They were Shankari Shankuru in Saveri and parakela nanu in Kedaragaula. The third song was Tharunam eedamma in Gowlipantu taught by Rama Ravi. The fourth song was Saroja dala netri in Shankarabarnam taught by B.N. Krishnamurti sir. We did Alapana and Kalpana swaras for this song. We learnt two swarajatis from R.K. Srikantan Sir. They were the Thodi and Bhairavi swarajatis. The Bhairavi swarajati was that main piece in the concert. This seventh song was Brovavamma in Manji taught by B. N. Krishnamurthi sir again. We learnt the Yadukulakambodi swarajati from Suguna Purushotaman Maami. It was the first song in the concert. We also learnt Kanaka Shaila in Punnagavarali from B.N. Krishnamurti sir. We were privileged to learn Balakanakamaya in Atana from great Dr. Pinakapani sir. We learnt Devi brova samayamide in Chintamani and Marivere in Anandabhairavi from Neiveyli Santhanagopalan sir. Next was Himadri suthe in Kalyani taught by Sowmya Maami. The thirteenth song was Karuna joodu in Shri also taught by Sowmya Maami.
The concert was on April 13th 2009. The weeks following the concert were booked with practices for the concert. I arrived in Cleveland on April 9th, four days before the concert. Leading up to the concert, we had boot camp like practices for four days – more than 16 hours every day. This was the first time, all of us were together and practice in unison. This required a lot of coordination and setting up protocol as to who does what, when and how. But it was a lot of fun!
Monday night, following a concert of Smt Parsalla Ponnamma, the great singer, was our concert. The auditorium was almost full and was a great feeling to know that people paid to listen to us! After a brisk start with Yadhukula Kambodi, the concert went well. Unfortunately, we had to cut a few songs – Lalitha, Punnagavarali, Atana etc. But overall, the concert was a success. All the musicians present liked a great concert.
It was an unforgettable experience to have stalwarts like my gurus Shahikiran and Ganesh, Murali uncle and Jaya mami, both Suguna maamis, Ramani sir, Thyagarajan sir, Santhanagoplan sir, Sowmya aunty, and several others in the audience and to get a standing ovation from the audience, was certainly a feeling to cherish till the end of lifetime.
On behalf of every one, I sincerely thank V V Sundaram sir for making our dreams come true!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Brahma-anda: Intelligent Indian cosmology

Excerpts from an article that I wrote and was published in "Sri Ayyappa Vision - 2009", a publication of Sri Ayyappa Society of Tampa (SASTA).

The Universe is defined as everything that physically exists: the entirety of space and time, all forms of matter, energy and momentum, and the physical laws and constants that govern them. Astronomers believe the universe is 13.7 billion years old. Most scientist believe the universe was created in one big explosion called the big bang. In the first few seconds after the big bang, the universe doubled its size by billions. This is called cosmic inflation. We are not sure what happened before the big bang but many scientists think we should use the special theory of relativity: E=MC2 . This theory states that mass multiplied by the speed of light to the power of 2 is equal to energy produced if the mass was compressed. But wait!!! This theory can be played backwards. This means that energy can be converted into mass and light. So, scientists think there was only energy clumped together before the big bang. They are trying to define it and find the source of it by performing mind boggling experiments. The latest promise of hope is the newly commissioned Large Hadron Collider (LHD) at CERN, Switzerland.

Being an amateur astro-enthusiast, I was asking my elders to help me look into our ancient literature for references and I was successful in finding some clues:

  • ”Adhiyum andhamum illA arumperun Jodhiyai, YAm PAdakk KettE” - This line is the start of Tamil Saiva literature Thiruvembavai, written by Manikavasagar in 7 A.D. This line literally means “We are singing about the beginning and endless rare great Flame.” Can this be related to the theory of the big bounce and multiverses?

  • The theory of the big bounce states that the universe cycles between expansion and total collapse. The theory of multiverses states that there are countless Universes. Some Universes expand and collapse while others expand forever. Was this the explanation given to the energy source before the big bang?

  • In the Rigveda, the universe is described as a cosmic egg (Brahma-anda) that, cycles between expansion and total collapse. Doesn't this sound like the explanation of the big bounce?

  • One of the sources for the origin of the word ‘Brahman’ is said to be the Sanskrit word ‘brh’ which means to ‘grow big’ without limit and can it be an oblique reference to an explosion. Can this be related to the big bang?
  • “Mahaste Sato Vi Charantyarchayo Divi Sprishanti Mahavaha” - this line from Rigveda means “Your flames are spreading, which are great and are like embodiments of truth.” Does this tell us that the universe is expanding?
  • Bagavath Gita says -“As one in the plurality of forms” tells us that ancient Indians understood that there were 5 forms-liquid, solid, gas, fire and vacuum.
  • Krishna says, “The whole world, with all its forms. It is my body”. Does it tell us about the existence of the Universe?
  • “Even if a thousand suns at once rose on the horizon, yet the light would not compare to that glory which Arjuna's spirit-eye beheld.” This tells us that Indians could have observed countless supernovas. Historians trace the Mahabharata war to about 5000 years! Lo and Behold, Astronomers tell us a supernova seen few years back did take place during 3000 BC. Is it pure coincidence or a scientific record? Supernovas are explosions of massive stars at the end of their lives.
  • The line- “With no beginning, middle, or end”, tells us about the theories of the Big Crunch and Multiverses.
  • To sum up the Bhagavath Gita tells us the universe is infinitely heterogeneous. This proves the existence of dark matter and dark energy. It also tells us that the earth is not unique. Now scientists are debating if we are alone!

Astronomical literature in India took a turn around 300 AD, and it is now called Siddhantic astronomy. During this period several of our Astronomers identified the planets and formulated laws governing their motions and computed the times of beginning and ending of eclipses from a scientific viewpoint through mathematical approach. Aryabhatta, the most famous one, said that the planets moved around the sun and even gave a reason-super wind 'pravaha vayu' – now scientists call it “Solar Wind”.

Many of the clues Astronomers are looking into, to explain the origin and the existence of the Universe, are found and described in our ancient scriptures! Are the scientists searching for at the wrong place?

Albert Einstein said, "Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind." No wonder our ancestors hid all their scientific discoveries and inventions into our vedas and religious text! This way they were able to not only leave their findings for all future generations, but also making it common place! People read about it and followed without even reasoning!

I am more than convinced that our ancient scriptures were nothing but loads of scientific observations! I wish Scientists look into them to understand the theories of science! I would like to research into them and make them known to the masses!

“Divi surya sahasrasya bhave dyuga padutthitayadi bhah sadrsi sa syadbhasastasya mahatmanah” - The Gita

If by chance one thousand suns adore the sky with their shine, then that great being's light would be some what equal to it.

----------------------

Monday, January 12, 2009

Excerpts from the Ocala, FL Thyagaraja Aaradhana

I participated in the Thyagaraja Aaradhana held on Jan 10th, 2009 in Ocala, FL.
I had a mini concert and Mrs. Gomathi Sundaram, the expert teacher residing in FL played the violin and Nannu the Mridhangam.
Here is a sample from the concert.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8xO1aU0iro

Friday, December 26, 2008

More Poems

Life

Life is brief so live it right,
Don’t totter into the somber night,
Life is such an enticing sight,
Life is dainty so hold on to it tight.

This is the time to make merry,
Do not dissipate it in a hurry,
What will befall tomorrow we will never apprehend,
Life is brief so live it right!
----------------------------
Holidays

Holidays are the times to have fun,
The times to play and run,
Nothing wrong in having fun,
Have a lot of fun till you’re done,

Holidays are the times to reunite,
Families getting together are beautiful sights,
It is the time to fly kites,
And (if you’re up north) watch the northern lights,

Holidays are the times to rejoice,
The times to entice,
The times to enjoy and revise.
-----------------------

I am the sun

I am the one and only sun!
I wonder what will happen when I’m done,
I hear the sound of planets moving around,
I see thousands of stars that surround,
I want to see the whole Milky Way,
I am the one and only sun!

I pretend I am a red giant star,
I feel the earthlings are going to kills are going to kill themselves with war,
I touch asteroids falling down,
I worry that I will turn brown,
I cry when I loose a comet to another star,
I am the one and only sun!

I understand that the Universe is large,
I say “we are a small part of this gorge”,
I dream that I am at the center of the Milky Way,
I try to look over the earthlings as they play,
I hope that I live for 10 billion years,
I am the one and only sun!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Excerpts from my Tampa Concert

Excerpts from my Tampa Nandalala Concert - 7 Sep 2008.

Hamsadvani Varnam


Pilangoviya - Hindustani Kapi - Purandara Dasar Krithi

Sriman Narayana - Bauli - Annamacharya Krithi


Sunday, June 22, 2008

My First full Concert

Once the vacation began, it was all hard work. I started practicing for my first complete concert. I practiced everyday for 2 hours in the morning and evening to perfect the songs I was going to sing. At first, my concert was just an hour. After a few weeks, it was extended by half an hour. So I added another song to my song list.

Two or three days before the concert, I practiced with the mridhangist and learnt how to end the thani avarthanam. Sadly, I couldn’t practice with the violinist. On the 25th of May, 2008, the concert day, I had many butterflies in my stomach.

The concert was at the Bhavani Shankara temple in Vasanthapura, Bangalore, India. My concert started around 10 a.m. I started with the varnam, Jalajaksha in Hamsadvani with a small virutham. Next, I sang the famous kriti, Mahaganapatim in Naattai. There was a little alabanai and some kalpana swaras. Next was RamaRama in Vasantha as I was singing in Vasanthapura. Then it was Brocheva revare in Sri Ranjani. This also had alabanai and kalpana swaras. Following was Sujanajeevana in Kamas. It had alabanai, neraval and kalpana swaras. The main piece was Eeshapahimam in kalyani. It is one of Thyagaraja’s Lalgudi Pancharathna kritis on Lord Shiva. It had alabanai and kalpana swaras. It also had a thani avarthanam. I managed to end the thani avarthanam at the right point. Everyone clapped loudly.

Then we had the tukdas. I sang Raminchuva Revarura in Suposhini. There was Govardana Girisham in Hindolam. I sang Enagoo Aane Ranga in Kedaram. Then it was Sarasanetra in Shankarabarnam. To end the concert I sang Bhagyadhalakshmibarama in Madyamavati. The concert ended at 11:30 a.m. everyone clapped loudly.

I think the concert was a success. This was the first time I had sung for one and a half hours. I hope that I will soon perform 3 hour concerts and many more with my Gurus’ Blessings.

Pic: A Section of the audience


My gratitude to Vidwan Shri Chakrapani sir from Thirupathi who played the violin and Vidwan Avinash Krishna who played the Mridhangam.
I sincerely thank my Gurus – Shri R.N Thyagarajan Sir, Shri K.N.Sashkiran Uncle and Shri Ganesh Uncle for all their teachings, guidance and blessings.

Shri Gurubyo Namaha!


Some sample renderings:
1. Naatai


2. ShriRanjani

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

My Sample Renderings...

I am a Carnatic Vocal student and am learning from Shri R.N Thyagarajan sir (Rudrapatnam Brothers) and also from Shri K.N.Sashikiran uncle and Shri Ganesh uncle (they sing together as Carnatica Brothers). I am trying to put some of my renderings here...
http://aadithmoorthy.googlepages.com/SujanaJeevana.WAV
Incidently, I got the first prize for this song/rendering recently at a competition in Bangalore.

More songs for your listening pleasure:
* Chalamu Varnam of Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman set to Valachi Raagam

* Brocheva - Sri Ranjani - Thyagaraja Krithi

* Narayanathe Namo Namo - Behag - Annamaacharya Kriti

* Anjaneyam - Rare Nottuswaram in Shakarabaranam - Shri Muthuswami Dikshitar

Please give your comments.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

My first Chennai Season Experiences

This was my first (live) music season - December 2007. It all began on 23/12/07. The first concert I went to was of Ms.S.M. Vilasini. She sang a major piece in kharagarapriya and then Idhi thano tilay in sindu bairavi.

Next was a jugalbandi of my gurus - the Carnatica brothers and Shri Ramesh Narayan – a hindustani singer. The brothers sang Natai and he sang Aberi. There was an alapana contest between the brothers and him and one of my gurus, Chitravina Ganesh touched the upper “Sa” of the melastayi. Then the brothers sang Hamsanandi and he sang Sohini.
Next there was a concert of Sri Sanjay subramanium. He sang the marvelous piece Kanukontini in Bilahari. He also sang an ashtapati in sindu bairavi. He also sang a beautiful piece, Pranathali Hari in Several ragas.
On 24/12/07 we first went to a violin concert of Mrs. Lalgudi Srimati and Mrs. Anuradha Sridar. They played a ragamalika of Varali, Suddha Saveri, Kamas etc. and the famous Sutum vidi chudarai.
There was a concert of Ms.Nisha Rajagopal. She sang Sita pate na manasuna in Kamas and Pankaja lochana in Kalyani. I learnt that now she has quit her job and fully into music! This will be Carnatic Music's gain.

Next there was a concert of Shri. T.M. Krishna at Krishna Gana Sabha. He sang the famous Kalaharana in Suddha Saveri. He sang the famous ragamalika pallavi “Sankarabarananai azhai Thodi vadi Kalyani Darbarukku” for RTP. I really did not like the settings and audio at the Krishna Gana Sabha. I think it is miles away from the Music Academy's systems!

Last we zipped through Chennai Traffic like crazy to Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha - to the concert of Mrs.Gayatri Venkataragavan. She sang Bavayami gopala balam in Madyamavati and a thilana. Her rendering of the "Vitala" Abhang really made several people cry and sent a wave through the hall!

On 25/12/07 I went to a Hindolam speech by Guru, Shri Janakiraman. We learnt the 36 Hindolam varieties:
Raga name--Family
Indrapriya---Kanakangi
Alaru---Salagam
Swayamvaram---Ratnangi
Aditya---Jalarnavam
Svirini---Ganamurti
Varunatmaja---Jalavarali
Sarthalangi---Vanaspati
Ranga---Navaneetam
Saravanti---Manavati
Nivaram---Pavani
Vipani---Tanaroopi
Alava---Ragupriya
Anguru---Senavati
Kavarthan---Gavambodi
Hindolam---Hanumatodi
Karmuru---Bavapriya
Kadaram---Denuka
Thita---Subhapantuvarali
Varam---Natakapriya
Nili---Sadvidamargini
Kamalaa---Gokilapriya
Asathi---Suarnangi
Ashti---Rupavati
Kamala---Divyamni
Kanaka---Gayakapriya
Talpem---Davalambari
Sallabam---Vakulabaranam
Sadhvee---Namanarayani
Tharavam---Mayamalavagaula
Niharam---Kamavardini
Nila---Chakravagam
Viba---Ramapriya
Daka---Suryakantam
Sumalavimodini---Gamanasrama
Kamalini---Hatakambari
Chandrika---vishvambari


From this speech I learnt how to do good aalapanai and make my own pallavi. Before this speech I thought there was only one Hindolam variety.
Next we went to a concert of Abishek Raghuram in the Academy. He sang the famous Vatapi ganapatim bhaje in Hamsadwani. He also sang KaaVaaVaa in Varali.
Finally on 29th evening, we went to my gurus - Carnatica Brothers' concert at the PSBB School in KK Nagar. They sang the famous Viriboni in Bhairavi and Seetamma mayama in Vasanta. On 30th December morning we went to a concert of my other gurus Rudrapatnam brothers in the Great Academy Auditorium. The best pieces were Saminine in Sri and Narasimha mamava in Bilahari and an RTP in SriRanjani with swaras in Sri, Ranjani, Mega Ranjani and Jana Ranjani. They also sang a very rare raga – Tivra Vahini!

One word about the Music Academy hall and the audio systems - No wonder people say that every seat is a good seat in the Academy!

This was my first season so I did a lot of 'Sabha hopping'. I learnt many things this season. I learnt to do alapanai for some ragas, how the thani avarthanam ends in a concert, to give gamakas in a song etc. Overall this was a great experience for me and I already look forward for the next season 2008!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Space FAQ - 2

Q:IS THERE ANY PLANET OTHER THAN EARTH THAT HAS LIFE?


A: Maybe. There are many planets which may have life like ours. A few are-

  1. There are two planets around the star Gliese 581. They are Gliese 581c and Gliese 581d. They are in the habitable zone of Gliese 581,a red dwarf,24 light years away.

  2. There is a planet 424 light years away.

  3. Mars is thought to have life. The rovers Spirit and Opportunity have found dead bacteria on Mars.

  4. Europa,a moon of Jupiter is thought to have an ocean full of life under its surface of ice.


Q:WHAT IS A 'HABITABLE ZONE'?


A: A habitable zone is the region around a star where life may be possible. The distance between the habitable zone and its star depends on the size of the star.


Q:WHAT IS A LIGHT YEAR?


A: A light year is the distance traveled by time in a year. It is 5,999,999,999,999 miles and 9,555,555,555,555 km or 5.9 trillion miles and 9.5 trillion km.


Q:WHAT IS AN ASTRONOMICAL UNIT?


A:It is the distance between the earth and the sun. It is approx. 150million km.


Q:HOW DO WE KNOW THE UNIVERSE IS EXPANDING?


A:When we see objects in the sky, we see a red shift. This means the object is moving away from us and the universe is expanding.


Q:HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHER PLANETS ORBITING OTHER STARS?


A:When we see other stars, we may see them 'wobble'. This 'wobble' is caused by planets.


Q:WHAT IS THE HELIOSPHERE?


A:It is the complete stretch of the sun's gravity. It extends to about 2 light years- half way to the nearest star that is Proxima Centuri.


Q:WHY ARE DIFFERENT GALAXIES DIFFERENT SHAPES?

A:Gravity has the power to shape galaxies. It can either come from the stars and black holes inside it or from the dark matter and dark energy outside it.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Life is beautiful

Life is beautiful,
For it is very colourful,
From the time we are born,
Till the time we are gone,
We are guided by our parents,
Through life's vast currents,
Time goes on very fast,
Until the time we breath our last,
Some think we are born again,
From whatever we had bargained,
Then the cycle goes on for ever,
Continuing to end never,
Life's beauty will never end,
For it is your best Friend!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Memories of my First QUIZ win...


On 17th August 2007, I was informed that I was selected to represent my school in the inter school quiz competition with three other 7th graders. The quiz was on 25th August at MLR Convention Center, Bangalore. It was organized by the Woodrose Club.
25th August 2007, I was really excited from the morning. Time passed by and it was soon 7:00 PM. I was ready for the quiz with the other two boys. Unfortunately, the fourth member was not present. We had to substitute the fourth member by taking someone from the audience from our school. Then it was time to pick our seating. I represented our team and choose Nisarga which was the 5th team. Later we realized that this seating was important for getting many passed questions which were crucial for winning.
The others teams were from the following schools: Kumarans, DPS, Royal, Indira Priyadarshini, Capitol.
The quiz began. After the first round we were in second place. After the second round we could answer several “passed” questions and captured the lead. We continued to lead till the last round which was the Rapid Fire round. Kumarans was close on our tail and were just 20 points behind us and the last round had a maximum of 90 points to take.
Lucky for us, we answered 5 correctly and got 50 points. We were anxiously waiting for Kumarans to make at least 2 mistakes. Voila, they made 5 mistakes and could get only 40 points. There were several children from my school in the audience and now they roared loudly. We WON at last. The final points read, Brigade 220, Kumarans 180 and the third school was a distant 100.
This was the first ever Quiz I participated and WE won... Also this was the first ever win by my school in literary and Scientific activities.
I was very happy and proud of myself!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Concert review - Aug 15th 2007

On Independence day, August 15 2007, I attended a beautiful concert organized by “Advaita” at R.V. Dental college Auditorium, J.P.Nagar, Bangalore. My Gurus Shri Shashikiran and Shri. Ganesh Uncles performed. It was well attended and th huge hall was almost full.

They started off with Vathapi Ganapthim Bhaje in Hamsadvani. It was rendered very pleasantly. The next one was the “Jaya Jaya” in Naattai set to Kanda Chapu – the famous Dasar Kriti. Then came the famous Pancha Ratna “Endaro Mahanubavulu” to salute all the freedom fighters on the Independence day. Vasantha was next and the song was “Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Enniro”. Ganesh uncle had recently taught me this and it was as if he was teaching me!
Next was an interesting piece in “Nattai Kurinchi” – “Budha Mashrayam” in Misra Jathi Jampa taalam which was rendered very melodiously synchronizing with the sun set and clear sky in Bangalore after a long time. “Nagumomu” in Abheri came next and also the happiness in the hall increased with the pace of the song!
It seemed like there were two main pieces. The first one was “Akilandeswari” in Dwijavanthi. Thani-avarthanam was performed for this great Dikshidar Masterpiece.
Next came the highlight of the Day in “Desh”. Desh was chosen to honor our country. This was an RTP and the pallavi was composed by none other than my own guru Shashikiran uncle. The song goes like this:

Sangeetha Sahitya Nritya Kala Prashamsha Neya Desha
Bharatha Desha – Namma Nimma Desha

It was set to 60 counts to honor the 60th independence day. It was really amazing as the thaalam was extremely difficult. I don’t know how they could sing it!

Between the two main pieces was the happy number “Raguvamsa Sudam”. I am hearing vocal rendering of this happy piece for the first time. I have heard it played on instruments several times before though.

After the RTP was the “Thunga Thira Virajam” and followed by “Jayathi Jayathi” in Kamas. I started singing along and so did several in the audience. Next was “Kurai Ondrum Illai” of Rajaji. Then came the “English Notes” in Shankarabaranam with a touch of Harikambodhi. “Mythilim Bhajathe” of UN and MS fame was sung to honor the World Peace. And the final piece was the “Dasa Avathara Mangalam”.

The concert was fantastic. It started off with the two auspicious Ragams – Hamsadvani and Naattai. Many famous and popular songs were rendered and it was like a class for me. Thank you Gurus.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

My Scholarly Poetry Collection - Sample 2

The Universe!
Written on 3 May 2005

Space starts where solid ground ends
Aliens have different kinds of friends

Each galaxy has a name
From the big bang galaxies came

In the universe there may be aliens
I think some of them are Pormaliens

Space has light years in stead of miles
Stars are together in piles

Galaxy we are in is the Milky way
We can't see star clusters during the day

Comet belt is made of ice
Every day the sun will rise
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Pencils!
Composed - May 2005

Pencils are made of lead
Books are red

Pencils are used for writing
Matches are used for lighting

Pencils have to be sharpened
Carpenter’s wood has to be carved

Children use pencils
People eat Popsicles

Pencils are made of wood
People eat food

Pencils are used to write stories
Trucks are called Lorries

Pencils are very thin
Their leads are sharp like a pin

Some pencils are made of plastic
The camel is fantastic

Pencils wood are made from trees
A part of our body is the knees

For some pencils you have to put the lead in
No body should ever do a sin

Some pencils are used for colouring
In spring the trees are flowering

Pencils are in plenty
Forty plus fifty is ninety

Some pencils are very long
You erase it if it’s wrong

Some pencils have light bulb toppers
To the trash goes the candy wrapper!

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The Hungry man!
May 2005

The Hungry man
Had a pan
To the shop he ran

He saw nothing except butter
Then he saw a cutter
He bought both and gave
40 rupees to the cashier

The butter made him happy
Then he saw a monkey
He got 100 rupees
He was very lucky!
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Memories from my first concert


Bangalore,
11th March 2007,
Dear Diary,
Today is a big day for me. I am going to sing at the “Thiruvaiyaru in Bangalore” at the Seva Sadan, in Malleswaram, Bangalore. This will also be the first time I am singing with accompaniments. Unfortunately, I had very high fever from yesterday evening. My heart is beating very fast and I could not sleep all night. I was so weak that I couldn’t even stand and I didn’t now how I was going to sing.
I was going to be accompanied by a violin and mridhangam. I was going to sing two songs – Brochevarevare in raga Sri Rangini, Mamavaragurama in Saranga. I was supposed to do Aalaparna for Brochevarevare. I was also supposed to put swaras for Brochevarevare.
When I was practising I realised I was breathing too fast because I had fever. I had a music class this morning for perfection. I wish I sing well today as I have practised a lot.
It was 12 noon. I had rasam rice and got ready for going to the place where I had to sing. My father dropped me at the spot where I had to sing. I had to wait a while before I could sing. Before I was to sing I had severe fever. I had to sit under the fan to avoid myself from fainting. Soon it was my turn to sing.
In Carnatic Music, the artists do not practise or rehearse before hand. It is truly an extempore performance. I came to know an aunty (I don’t know the name) was playing the violin and Hemant uncle, the mridhangam maestro Sri Shreemushnam Rajarao’s son was to play the mridhangam. What an opportunity and feeling!
I got on the stage, told the people who were listening what I was going to sing and began with the Aalaparna for Brochevarevare. It began well. Soon I completed the song and went into Swaras. God willing, I could remember the swaras and they all synchronized with the thalams. It ended well with the claps from the audience. I saw my Guru Shashikiran uncle, helping me with the thalams when I was doing the swarams. I am sure that he felt very proud of me and I could see the smile on his face when I completed. Then I sang the fast piece, Mamavaragurama. I felt very happy and proud of myself when I completed singing. My father was recording and I could see my mother sitting on the first row and crying after I finished. They must have been really happy and proud of me.
I was grasping for breath when I sang but still it went well. In spite of my fever I sang very well. I think it was only due to God’s Grace and Thyagaraja’s blessings that I could sing.

Yours truly,
Aadith.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

My Scholarly Poetry Collection - Sample 1

I am Happy
Composed 2003/04.

I am happy, I am happy, I am happy always,
I am happy, I am happy, I am happy always,

When I build with blocks
When I play with my toys
When I walk on rocks
I am filled with joy

I am happy, I am happy, I am happy always,
I am happy, I am happy, I am happy always,


When I travel far
And see animals and birds
When I see water falls
And I am surprised

I am happy, I am happy, I am happy always,
I am happy, I am happy, I am happy always,


When I play with friends
When my body bends
When I see my mom and dad
I am happy and glad

I am happy, I am happy, I am happy always,
I am happy, I am happy, I am happy always!

----------------------

In the Circus – by Aadith
Composed 2003/04

In the circus there are animals,
In the circus there are animals,
In the circus there are animals,
In the circus there are candies

In the circus there are animals
In the circus there are animals
In the circus there are clowns
And they drop up and down

In the circus there are animals
In the circus there are animals
In the circus there are tents
In the circus there are men

In the circus there are animals
In the circus there are animals
In the circus there are animals
In the circus there are animals

---------------------

Stars – by Aadith
Composed 2003/04

Oh Stars! Oh Stars! Where do you go in the mornings?
Oh Stars! Oh Stars! How do I see you in the evenings?

Oh Stars! Oh Stars! Why are you so tiny?
Oh Stars! Oh Stars! How are you so shiny?


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Navarathri – by Aadith
14 Oct 2004

Navarathri means nine nights,
Mysore is lit with colourful lights,
It is a beautiful sight!

All the friends will call,
To see Bommai kolu dolls;

Mysore has elephant parades,
I like to play charades;

Gujarat has Garba dance,
It’s watched by happy fans;

The first three days are for Parvathy
The next three are for Laxmi
The last three days are for Saraswathy
The tenth day is Vijaya Dasami!

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White Snow – by Aadith
13 Oct 2004

The snow is white
It’s very cool at night;

Inside my house it is cool,
To take the snow I use a tool;

I will off all the fans
And make snow mans;

I will skate on lakes
And play with snowflakes
Until the snow melts
Very happy it gets!

----------------------------------

Pongal

By
Aadith Moorthy – IV- C
Brigade School
Bangalore

Pongal
---------
Tamils’ harvest festival Pongal
Mothers make sweet and spicy pongal!

Families get together and meet
Dressed up neat
Distributing sweet!

Farmers paint the cattle’s horn
All done at dawn

Everyone celebrating in villages
Have been doing it for ages

It is to thank the Sun
On Pongal you have lots of fun!
---------------------------

STOP THE WAR!

Was Published in Brigade School Annual Book – 2006/07


All wars are bad;
It is extremely sad,
To see many people die,
On the battlefield they lie;
“Please stop this”, I cry!

There will be nothing left,
No more lively Earth,
Only a ball of ash and fire,
Not the planet we admire,
Or the heaven we desire.

Wars must stop,
Bloodsheds will drop;
World with people of all sorts,
Full of happiness in their hearts;
Mankind and nature being together,
Living in harmony for ever and ever!

-----------------------------

All poems (C) of Aadith Moorthy. If you are interested in reproducing/publishing, please contact me at aadithmoorthy@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

SPACE-FAQs

Q: WHAT IS SPACE?

A: It is the endless vacuum in which the planets, stars, galaxies etc. are placed.

Q: WHAT IS A STAR?

A: It is a celestial body which emits its own light.

Q: WHAT IS A PLANET?

A: It is a celestial body which does not emit its own light usually made of rock or gases. They orbit around stars.

Q: WHAT ARE ASTEROIDS AND COMETS?

A: They are pieces of rock and ice which orbit around stars.

Q: WHAT ARE RED GIANTS AND RED SUPER GIANTS?

A: They are stars at the end of their lives. A middle life star swells up to form a Red Giant. After some time the star may explode. But if it is lucky it will continue to swell up to form a Red Super Giant. After some time there will be a greater explosion and the star would form a Black Hole.

Q: WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

A: When stars 8 times the mass of the Sun are at the end of their lives, they collapse under their own gravity. The star shrinks till it forms a single point or a singularity in space; its mass is called a black hole and its boundary is called the event horizon. Light is a particle as well as a wave so it can not escape a black hole’s strong and powerful gravity.

It may be possible to travel in time near black holes, especially to the past.

People thought that black holes were dark but now we know that they emit a lot of energy. For example when a star is sucked by a black hole the black hole emits the energy equivalent of the star.

Q: WHERE DOES SPACE BEGIN?

A: With reference to the Earth, space begins at the end of the atmosphere. But with reference to the Universe, space does not have a beginning.

Q: WHEN DID THE UNIVERSE BEGIN?

A: The widely accepted theory is that the Universe began in the Big Bang about 13.7 billion years ago. The theory of relativity predicted this and its predictions said that there must be a singularity. At singularities all laws of science are useless. So we must predict the past using quantum mechanics. This theory predicts that the universe does not have a beginning. So the Universe does not have a beginning.

Q: WHAT IS THE UNIVERSE MADE OF?

A: It is made of 70% dark energy, 20% dark matter, 6% ghostly neutrinos and 4% visible matter.

Q: HOW WAS OUR SUN FORMED?

A: In a cloud of gas on the other end of the galaxy, some mass began to collapse under its own gravity creating a protostar. Hydrogen atoms began to form from the helium atoms and this mass was transformed to energy. Thus the sun was formed.

Q: WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE SUN?

A: In about 5 billion years the sun will swell up to form a Red Giant as mentioned earlier and will throw of its outer layers. This is called a planetary nebula.

The star will shrink and become a white dwarf but not a singularity. The forces inside it would hold that from happening.

Q: WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSE?

A: There are many possible scenarios for the future of the universe. The future of the universe is governed by the two most recent findings of dark matter and dark energy.

Dark matter is something which can not be seen. It can only be studied by its force of attraction on other objects. Dark energy is also invisible. It can only be studied by its repelling force on other objects.

If there remains a steady level of dark energy and dark matter, there will be a big chill. The universe will slowly expand. Atoms will decay but time will still continue.

If there is too much dark matter, there will be a big crunch. The universe would collapse into a singularity.

If there is too much dark energy, there will be a big rip. Dark energy would be so strong that it would tear the forces between the atoms. Sadly, time would come to an end.