Panchalinga Kritis

Guru Smt. Sripriya 

Introduction

Dikshitar was a South Indian poet and composer and is one of the musical trinity of Carnatic music. His compositions, of which around 500 are commonly known, are noted for their elaborate and poetic descriptions of Hindu gods and temples and for capturing the essence of the raga forms through the vainika (veena) style that emphasises gamakas. They are typically in a slower speed (chowka kala). He is also known by his signature name of Guruguha which is also his mudra (and can be found in each of his songs). His compositions are widely sung and played in classical concerts of Carnatic music.

Muthuswami Dikshitar composed many kritis in groups.The  Panchalinga Krithis of Dikshitar are dedicated to these five forms of Lord Siva. These krtis are composed respectively at the temples of Chidambaram (ether), Kalahasti (air),Tiruvannamalai (fire), Kanchipuram (earth) and Jambukesvaram (water).

Prerequisite: Should have learnt the basics (sarali varisai to varnam) and 10 small kritis and 15 kritis with sangathis.

No. of Sessions : 10(1 hr)

Class size : Individual

Content

1. Ananda Natana Prakasam - Kedaram/Misra Chapu
2. Arunachalanatham - Saranga/Rupakam
3. Chintayama - Bairavi/Rupakam
4. Jambupathe - Yamunakalyani/Tisra yekam
5. Kalahastisha - Husaini/Kanda Chapu

Session:1

1. Introduction to the Panchalinga kritis
2. Ananda Natana Prakasam Kriti -  Brief explanation about the kriti, Raga, Arohana-Avarohan  swaras involved, Important phrases of the Raga etc
3. Learn Pallavi and Anupallavi

Session:2

1. Revision of Pallavi and Anupallavi
2. Learn Charanam of the kriti Ananda Natana Prakasam

Session:3

1. Revision of Ananda Natana Prakasam
2. Arunachalanatham kriti - Brief explanation about the importance of the song, Raga, Arohana Avarohana-swaras involved, Important phrases of the Raga etc
3. Learn Pallavi and Anupallavi of Arunachalanatham 

Session:4

1. Revision of Pallavi and Anupallavi of Arunachalanatham 
2. Learn Charanam of Arunachalanatham 

Session:5

1. Revision of Arunachalanatham kriti & if time permits Ananda Natana Prakasam kriti.
2. Chintayama Kriti - Brief explanation about the importance of the song, Raga,
3.  Arohana Avarohana-swaras involved, Important phrases of the Raga etc
4. Learn Pallavi and Anupallavi of Chintayama kriti.

Session:6

1. Revision of Pallavi and Anupallavi of Chintayama  kriti.
2. Learn Charanam of Chintayama 
3. Revision of Kritis 1,2 if time permits

Session:7

1. Revision of Previous Chintayama & Arunachalanatham kriti if time permits.
2. Jambupathe Kriti - Brief explanation about the importance of the song, Raga,
3. Arohana Avarohana-swaras involved, Important phrases of the Raga etc
4. Learn Pallavi and Anupallavi of Jambupathe Kriti.

Session:8

1. Revision of Pallavi and Anupallavi of Jambupathe kriti.
2. Learn Charanam of Jambupathe 
3. Revision of Kritis1,2, if time permits

Session:9

1. Revision of Jambupathe &  Chintayama kriti if time permits.
2. Kalahastisha Kriti - Brief explanation about the importance of the song, Raga,
3. Arohana Avarohana-swaras involved, Important phrases of the Raga etc
4. Learn Pallavi and Anupallavi of Kalahastisha 

Session:10

1. Revision of Pallavi and Anupallavi of Kalahastisha 
2. Learn Charanam of the kriti
3. Revision of kriti 3,4 if time permits

Note:

The above list of kritis is subject to modifications depending on the student’s abilities and preferences.