Killer Opening Songs (Susheela Raman - Ganapati)

Without a doubt, this globalised world of ours has brought us many calamities: unfair trade between First World nations and their counterparts in the developing regions, a cultural empire spearheaded by McDonald's et al and an erosion of moral and civic values that we once held dear and nowadays have fallen victim to the MTV generation. However, amidst the rubble a few voices still make themselves strongly heard. And Killer Opening Songs has one of them in the lounge this week.

Susheela Raman was born in London to South Indian parents. Her life so far has been a cultural journey which could very well serve to exemplify the pros of our globalised polity. At still a young age she and her family moved to Australia where they kept their Tamil roots alive. She grew up singing traditional South Indian classical music and giving recitals. Blues arrived in her teenage years and it wasn't long before she began to think of ways in which to bring these different musical strands together. An apprenticeship with the great Hindustani vocalist Shruti Sadolikar ensued and the result was the ground-breaking record 'Salt Rain'. The album brought together people from different backgrounds and musical styles who resided mainly in London and Paris.

'Ganapati' is the Killer Opening Song of 'Salt Rain'. It's a lovely melody that celebrates the elephant-headed Hindu God Ganesha. Ganapati is one of the many names this deity is known by. The lyrics are rich and full of that spirituality music from the subcontinent is renowned for: 'I meditate on Ganapati/Worshipped by the great sages/Vasishta and Vamadeva/Son of Shiva/adored by his brother Guruguha...' Enjoy.





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