Birdsong by Birdsong by Ranjani Sivakumar celebrates songs with an avian inspiration

Ranjani Sivakumar during a concert
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Birdsong has a way of uplifting the spirit. For avid birder and classical musician Ranjani Sivakumar, it is also a source of inspiration for her concerts. This weekend, the Hyderabad-based musician presents the fifth edition of Birdsong by Birdsong, a two-hour concert celebrating birds as the muse through classical compositions.

Blending multiple genres, the performance features songs in Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, and Kannada by Tyagaraja, Kabirdas, Amir Khusro, and even the Beatles. Accompanied by Dinakar Ramaraju and Krishna Sravan, the session will be interactive.

“It was Anuradha ma’am (Anuradha Gunupati, founder of Saptaparni cultural centre) who helped me incubate this idea. I am grateful — she is the wind beneath my wings,” Ranjani shares.

An Avid Birder

Passion for birds
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Though identifying birds in dense foliage can be challenging, Ranjani, an enthusiastic birder, recognises species by their calls. Among those she can identify by sound are the kingfisher, red-vented bulbul, grey hornbill, parakeet, kite, shikra, Tickell’s blue flycatcher, sunbird, lapwing, owl, woodpecker, koel, common hawk-cuckoo (brain-fever bird), nightjar, and coucal.

“Many of these birds can be spotted in Banjara Hills, as the city has several green pockets. The dedicated GHMC parks also provide a thriving ecosystem for flora and fauna alike,” she says.

Not just classical

Ranjani Sivakumar
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

When performing for the first time at the Hyderabad Literature Festival (HLF) in 2021, she wanted to go beyond the traditional classicalkacheri repertoire. Around that time, several experiences shaped her artistic direction — reading Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (“It helps to break down overwhelming thoughts into manageable steps”), discovering bird literature at the National Audubon Society in Ohio, and her deep passion for both music and birds. These influences naturally evolved into a setlist spanning multiple genres, where birds have long served as the muse in artistic works.

Metaphor and a muse

Ranjani’s musical research uncovered intriguing details — the Beatles’ Blackbird song, Amir Khusrau’s title Tuti-e-Hind (Parrot of India), and the deep significance saints and poets placed on birds as philosophical symbols. Examples include Tyagaraja (Omkaara panjara keera pura in Jagadananda Karaka), Purandara Dasa (Harinaama daraginiyo haaru tare jagati), and Kumar Gandharva (Ud jaayegaa hans akela). “Metaphors referencing birds are endless,” says Ranjani, who will also perform Suttum Vizhi Chudar Thaan Kannamma by Bharathiyar.

The concert has evolved over time with new compositions. Recent additions include Muthuswami Dikshitar’s Ranganayakam, a Taanam in Raga Amritavarshini, a Vacana (prose poem) by Kannada poet-saint Allama Prabhu, and a Hindi translation of Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by poet V.P. Ramnath — previously read in English.

New songs

Exploring new compositions
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

After each edition, Ranjani returns home with more song recommendations. “Every time I present this or discuss it with artistes, the list keeps growing. They love the theme and keep adding songs to it.”

One such list, suggested by Lalithaa Krishnan, and poet and literary critic Gowri Ramnarayan, includes Kaakai Chiraginile, Parvati Ninu, Ee Ramuni, Diwakara Tanujam, and Saruvar Thatu Hansini for future editions. “I also need to learn Cuban Nightingale, a piece recommended by soprano singer and music teacher Sarah Reyes, for the sixth edition,” she adds.

Birdsong by Birdsong by Ranjani Sivakumar on March 22 at Saptaparni Cultural Centre; Tickets: ₹250; bookmyshow.com