The term Various Artists is used in the record industry when numerous singers and musicians collaborate on a song or collection of songs. Most often on Last.fm, compilation album tracks appear under the name of Various Artists erroneously because the individual artist is not listed in the album's ID3 information.
Compilation albums, for example.
Sometimes, single releases may be credited to Various Artists when their profits are going to charity and, usually in high-profile cases, are sometimes known by a group name. Examples include Band Aid with their releases of Do They Know It's Christmas? and USA for Africa with We Are The World.
Various Artists is also an actual performance name for Torsten Pröfrock, who runs the German DIN label. Torsten performs also as Dynamo, Erosion, Resilent, Traktor besides some others. He's a good friend of Robert Henke and since the Fall of 2004, he is a member of Monolake.
Various Artists was also a short-lived Bristol punk band formed by brothers Jonjo and Robin Key (originally from Birmingham). Other members were also simultaneously in Art Objects who went on to become The Blue Aeroplanes, the latter the Key brothers also co-wrote some songs and were involved in. When Various Artists imploded, the Key brothers went on to form Either / Or.
Various Artists also appear on tracks from musical theater soundtracks, due to the nature of having many cast members on one song, as well as an ensemble in some cases.
Nada
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gale valambhyalambitham
Bhujanga thunga maalikam
Dama dama dama dama ninada
Maddamarvayam
Chakara chanda thandavam
Thanothu na shiva shivam
The lyrics of the song Nada by Various Artists are heavily influenced by Indian mythology and spirituality. The first line, "Jatatavigala jala pravaha pavithasthale," refers to Lord Shiva, who is often depicted with matted hair, flowing like a waterfall. The line can be translated to mean "In the holy place where the water from the matted hair of Lord Shiva flows."
The next two lines, "Gale valambhyalambitham, Bhujanga thunga maalikam," describe Lord Shiva's appearance. "Gale valambhyalambitham" means "adorned with a serpent around his neck," while "Bhujanga thunga maalikam" means "wearing a clear necklace of snakes."
The rest of the lyrics are focused on describing the sound and movement of Lord Shiva's dance, known as the Tandava. "Dama dama dama dama ninada" represents the sound of Lord Shiva's drum, while "Maddamarvayam" refers to the frenzy that the drumming causes. "Chakara chanda thandavam" describes the rhythmic movement of Lord Shiva's dance, which is believed to have the power to destroy the universe and then create it anew.
Overall, the lyrics of "Nada" are a tribute to Lord Shiva's power and majesty, as well as his ability to both create and destroy. The song is a spiritual offering and an attempt to connect with this powerful deity.
Line by Line Meaning
Jatatavigala jala pravaha pavithasthale
In a pure land where the waters flow crystal clear
Gale valambhyalambitham
Adorned with a necklace hanging from the neck
Bhujanga thunga maalikam
With the serpent adorning the thick, muscular arms
Dama dama dama dama ninada
The rhythmic beat of the drum echoes through
Maddamarvayam
Creating a joyful, celebratory atmosphere
Chakara chanda thandavam
As Lord Shiva performs his vigorous and powerful dance
Thanothu na shiva shivam
Let us praise Lord Shiva, the embodiment of divine consciousness
Contributed by Elizabeth D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.