Neraval 101 - Improvisation in Carnatic Music

Let us take three examples of neraval beginning with maestro K.V.Narayanaswamy's rendition of Tyagaraja's composition Intha Sowkya in raga Kapi. As the neraval unfolds, the listeners can feel the maestro savouring the lyrics while bringing out the essential features of the raga. The pace is unhurried. Even the minutest pause between the words draws the listener into a meditative ambience. KVN was often referred to as the 'king of neraval'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d0rDKrxc4s?t=5m40s Madurai Mani Iyer's niraval for the Oothakadu Venkata Subbaiyyar's song Thaye Yashodha is like a caress. In the words of the neraval, kaalinil silambu konja, the composer describes Krishna as he comes out on the street wearing anklets on his feet, bangles on his hands, pearl necklaces around his neck. One can only visualize the dance moves that follow this description. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx7B3q1W_7Q Vijay Siva's rendition of neraval for the Oothukadu Venkata Subbaiyyar's composition Kalyana Rama in raga Hamsanaadam is a dynamic presentation. The words mallikadhu sugandha maya navamaalika athishobhatha kalena describes a wedding scene where the groom Rama is wearing a garland of fresh and fragrant jasmine flowers around his well-adorned neck. The song vividly brings to life the wedding scenes of Rama and Sita from the epic Ramayana. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8xA_Q24qX8?t=15m16s There is no concept of a neraval in Hindustani music. However whenever I hear this Tulsidas bhajan Janakinaath Sahay Kare Jab by Pandit D.V.Paluskar it seems to have all the elements of a neraval at multiple points. In the first line of the bhajan, the composer insists that as long as 'Janakinaath (Rama) is our saviour, nobody can hurt us'. The line is sung in different melodic phrases to highlight the meaning of these words. Bhajan renditions remind us that neraval is a continuum of raga, sahitya and tala. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnyyko_N-4Y   P.S - I don't encourage people to compose while driving on a curvy road -:)