It’s true that every Carnatic musician loves Arabhi rāgam – how can you not? Whether it was following the first attempts at “Sadhinchane” by Thyāgaraja in class, hearing the unparalleled beauty of Muthuswami Dikshitar’s “Sri Saraswathi Namosthuthè”, swaying in the theatres to the memorable Chennai filmi highlight “O Sukumāri”, Jathiswaram stanzas during Bharathanatyam productions, or even just being transported back to it in snaps during renditions of kritis in Devagandhari, Arabhi has been a staple of our classical traditions since its Pazhanthakkam Pann heydays.
This piece is called Chat and jig in Arabhi! 
For this arrangement, acoustic instruments were chosen to capture a live recording feel, where everything also appears to be in impromptu conversation. To help run the gamut of the rāgam, I composed with more Kalpanaswaram approaches in mind here, trying to keep it moving with the sound of a boombox stereo-fed electronic beat as a base. The sections where I play against my own Carnatic violin are a throwback to my orchestra days! Can you identify the other instruments in the track? This was, as always, created while juggling a fair few things on the move and maybe it shows!
The artwork is from a stop with the fam at the famous Rio Ice Cream in Jaffna. I was grateful to have this piece feature on a BBC radio tribute show to Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday attacks there. I have been told that the melancholy as well as the light in the dark times really resonated with people which is a very special compliment to receive. Thanks for all the love everyone has shown towards this!
