SRI RAAGAM

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sam
Posts: 1281
Joined: 04 Mar 2020, 20:25

SRI RAAGAM

Post by sam »

SRI RAAGAM

From an erudite rasika

Sri ragam :- A raga that is auspicious in name and bhava is Sri.
Sri is aghana raga, a heavy and noteworthy one that is melodic as well as regal.
Sri is a janya of Kharaharapriya raga and is characterised by jagged traversals in the scale, the avarohana having interesting diversions from the usual linear path.
The Arohana-Avarohana pattern of this raga is SRMPNS/SNPDNPMRGRS.

In Tyagaraja’s works in this raga, the dhaivata prayoga (“PDNPM”) is not used, while in Dikshitar’s kritis, there is a sudden twist in the structure, with the prayoga featuring the dhaivata.

This raga houses sadja, chatusruti rishabha, suddha madhyama, pancama, kaisiki nishada, chatusruti dhaivata and sadharana gandhara.
.....
Wiki
Shree is an asymmetric rāgam that does not contain gāndhāram or dhaivatam in the ascending scale. It is a audava-vakra-sampurna rāgam (or owdava, meaning pentatonic in ascending scale),[1] where vakra indicates the zig-zag nature of jumping notes in descending scale. Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure (ascending and descending scale) is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms
):
..

ārohaṇa: S R₂ M₁ P N₂ Ṡ[a]
avarohaṇa: Ṡ N₂ P M₁ R₂ G₂ R₂ S (or) Ṡ N₂ P D₂ N₂ P M₁ R₂ G₂ R₂ S
This scale uses the notes chatushruti rishabham, sadharana gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, panchamam, chatushruti dhaivatam and kaisiki nishadam

The raga’s highlight is the exaggerated gamaka at the gandhara.
Because it is a ghana raga, it is suitable for tanam.
A skilled vainika (veenaartiste) can demonstrate the stately gait of the tanam in Sri.
The classical pieces in Sri include Tyagaraja’s fervour-filled ‘Endaro Mahanubhavulu’, the fifth and famed pancharatna, which features torrential janta swaras and ‘Namakusumamula’.

Dikshitar’s ‘Sri Kamalambike’ (the concluding Kamalamba navavarana), ‘
Sri Varalakshmi’ (sung during the Varalakshmi vratha) and ‘Sri Abhayamba’ (the final kriti of the Abhayamba vibhakti kritis on the presid
ing goddess at Mayavaram) are most notable.

Sri Varalakshmi
Muthuswami Dikshitar

M. S. Subbulakshmi
.

https://youtu.be/TxEPFoFtkwM?si=-U3lvhGGh0xpkfmA.
........
The Abhayamba Sri Ragam krithi is the final song in the Abhayamba Vibhakti series, a set of nine (or ten, including the dhyana) compositions by the legendary composer Muthuswami Dikshitar. It is a Mangala Krithi (auspicious concluding song) dedicated to Goddess Abhayambika of the Mayuranathaswamy Temple in Mayiladuthurai.
Notable for its unique linguistic structure, it is a Manipravalam krithi, meaning it seamlessly blends three languages: Sanskrit, Telugu, and Tamil.

shrI abhayAmbA ninnu -
Muthuswami Dikshitar
DK Jayaraman

https://youtu.be/yvivomczFB0?si=vYryosGvWKznOv62

Music lovers may recall M.S. Subbulakshmi’s rendition of Annamacharya’s ‘Vande Vasudevam’ in the raga.

Vande Vasudevam
annamacharya
MS Subbulakshmi.

https://youtu.be/exEFmVFNVSA?si=-iDmGr5wMtFlCo7f


.AI

Sriragam :- A raga that is auspicious in name and bhava is Sri. Sri is aghana raga, a heavy and noteworthy one that is melodic as well as regal. Sri is a janya of Kharaharapriya raga and is characterised by jagged traversals in the scale, the avarohana having interesting diversions from the usual linear path. The Arohana-Avarohana pattern of this raga is SRMPNS/SNPDNPMRGRS. In Tyagaraja’s works in this raga, the dhaivata prayoga (“PDNPM”) is not used, while in Dikshitar’s kritis, there is a sudden twist in the structure, with the prayoga featuring the dhaivata. This raga houses sadja, chatusruti rishabha, suddha madhyama, pancama, kaisiki nishada, chatusruti dhaivata and sadharana gandhara.
The raga’s highlight is the exaggerated gamaka at the gandhara. Because it is a ghana raga, it is suitable for tanam. Askilled vainika (veenaartiste) can demonstrate the stately gait of the tanam in Sri.
The classical pieces in Sri include Tyagaraja’s fervour-filled ‘Endaro Mahanubhavulu’, the fifth and famed pancharatna, which features torrential janta swaras and ‘Namakusumamula’.

Dikshitar’s ‘Sri Kamalambike’ (the concluding Kamalamba navavarana),
‘Sri Varalakshmi’ (sung during the Varalakshmi vratha) and
‘Sri Abhayamba’ (the final kriti of the Abhayamba vibhakti kritis on the presiding goddess at Mayavaram) are most notable.
Music lovers may recall M.S. Subbulakshmi’s rendition of Annamacharya’s ‘Vande Vasudevam’ in the raga.
kruti composed by Muthuswami Dikshitar in the Raga Sri (Sriragam) is "Sri Kamalambike".ube
Raga: Sri (also known as Sri Raga)
This is the Mangala Kriti (concluding composition) of the famous Kamalamba Navavaranam set.[/code]
Sri Kamalambike
Smt T Muktha
Raga Sri .
https://youtu.be/OnO7fLZa3wU?si=-a58TgvejnmzG2os
.
........
Sri.Muthuswami Dikshitar has given us another special kriputhi in thjs raagam. Thiruvarurur kshetra kruthi.
Tyagaraja Mahaa dhvaja aaroha

AI
Tyagaraja Mahaa dhvaja aaroha is a monumental Carnatic composition by Muthuswami Dikshitar.
Composed in the auspicious Shree Raga, it is celebrated as a "musical documentary" of the annual Panguni Utsavam festival at the Thyagaraja Temple in Thiruvarur.
Unlike most devotional songs that focus on emotional surrender, this kriti provides a meticulous, chronological description of temple rituals, from the hoisting of the flag (Mahadhvajaaroha) to the grand chariot procession..
.
The song is unique because it serves as a lyrical map of a 25-day festival. It captures specific details often omitted in standard kritis:
.
Mentions the Ashlesha star chariot festival and the Vasantotsavam.
Instruments:
References traditional music like the Nagaswaram and Maddalam.
Vahanas:
Describes the various temple mounts (bull, kailasa, elephant) used during processions
.
While descriptive, the song also explores high philosophy, describing the Lord as Nama Rupa Ateetam (beyond name and form) and Anadyam (without beginning). It bridges the gap between physical temple worship and abstract spiritual realization...

tyagaraja mahadhvajaroha
Amritha Murali -

-
https://youtu.be/O5sqsIc7Ykw?si=P6EY6JntXkRsXOCS

pallavi

tyAgarAja mahadhvajArOha
tAraka brahmarUpamAshrayE
gaNEsha guruguha bhakta bhairava
sOmamayam shrI

anupallavi

Agama siddhAnta pratipAdyam
Ananda candrashEkhara vEdyam
nAgasvara maddaLAdi vAdyam
nAmarUpAtItam-anAdyam
yAgashAlAdyutsava cOdyam
yamAdyaStANga yOgamAdyam
bhOga rAga bhEda
rOgavaidyambOdhAmrta mahAnaivEdyam

caraNam

srSTi svarUpa vasanta vaibhavam
aSTadhvajEndra vimAna bhUta
samaSTi gaja vrSabha kailAsa vAham
AshlESamahAratha
sthitam vishiSTaharam
krSNa gandhadharaNam
shiSTa sEvitAjapAnarttanam
aSTa pAshahara tIrtthaprabhAvam
anugrahAtmaka pAda darshanam
iSTa phalaprada
kalyANasundarEsha nAmam
AcArya prabhAvam
aSTasiddhi dAyakAmbikOtsavam
ArUDha caNDEshvaram shivam

The kriti refers to many ceremonies that are part of the 60-day Vasantotsava (spring festival) at the festival of Tiruvarur such as
The flag hoisting
The festivals for the subsidiary deities - Ganesha, Subrahmanya, the devotees (Nayanmars) and Bhairava
The Yagashala ceremony
The various mounts on which the lord is taken in procession
The grand, special Ther (chariot) festival on Aslesha (Ayilyam) asterism
The black paste made of sandalwood applied to the lord during the vesper worship
The enactment of the Ajapa dance by those carrying the lord in procession
The Tirtha-vari or ceremonial bathing in the tank
The glimpse of the feet of Tyagaraja on Panguni Uthiram day (one of the only two days in the year when this happens , the other being Margazhi Tiruvadirai)
The processions of Kalyana-Sundareshvara, festival for the goddess, and for Chandikeshvara

kshEtra - tiruvArUr
Ref.
http://guru-guha.blogspot.com/2007/11/d ... araja.html
.
Last edited by sam on 12 Apr 2026, 20:57, edited 7 times in total.

sam
Posts: 1281
Joined: 04 Mar 2020, 20:25

Re: SRI RAAGAM

Post by sam »

3
THYAGARAJA SWAMI has given us three gems.
Entharo mahaanubaavulu
and
Nama kusuma.
........
Endaro Mahanubhavulu

MS Subbulakshmi - ..

https://youtu.be/6x9Sqt2Ksy4?si=ZmxQZLWlEeptymcK
.
[b]nAma kusumamulacE pUjincE[/b]
shrI

Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer -
-
https://youtu.be/1WL_6y7YL9k?si=RMmg2dwsxDg25dVE
...
Upload by sangeetha rasika.
.
...
Thyagaraja Kriti-
Nama Kusuma
-Shri-
Adi-
Alathur Brothers.

https://youtu.be/Xjh6lsFJn4M?si=ZdNnZYNZyNL7s0bF

.
The greatness is in every aspect.
Great lyrics, great raagam, great rendering.
Still subtly different from entharo mahaanu..
:
nAma kusumamulacE pUjincE nara janmamE janmamu manasA
shrIman mAnasa kanaka pIThamuna celaga jEsikoni vara shivarAma
nAdasvaramanu vara navaratmapu vEDikapai sakala lIla vinOduni
paramAtmuni shrI rAmuni pAdamulanu tyAgarAja hrd bhUSaNuni
Last edited by sam on 12 Apr 2026, 11:36, edited 3 times in total.

sam
Posts: 1281
Joined: 04 Mar 2020, 20:25

Re: SRI RAAGAM

Post by sam »

nAma kusumamulacE pUjincE
shrI
Thyaagaraaja swami

Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer -
-
https://youtu.be/1WL_6y7YL9k?si=RMmg2dwsxDg25dVE
...
Upload by sangeetha rasika.

An erudite comment from s viewer

@mysuruvasudevacharya
7 years ago
Lovely Rendition ! Nama kusumamulach Sri Ragam Adi Tallam Thyagarajar Krithi
In this kruti Tyagaraja implores his own mind to worship the God, uttering his innumerable names which are like beautiful flowers.

P nAma kusumamulachE poojinchE
nara janmamE janmamu manasA ||

Birth as a human being is worthy ,if a person recites the countless number of names of the God which are like beautiful flowers

AP Sriman mAnasa kanaka peeThamuna
chalaga jEsigoni vara Siva rAma ||

Absorb yourself in retaining the names of Siva and Rama on the golden throne of your heart.


C nAdaswara manE nava ratnapu
vEdikapai sakala leelA vi
nOduni paramAtmuni Sri rAmuni
pAdamulanu tyAgarAja hrudbhooshaNuni. ||

Oh my heart,worship the feet of the supreme soul Sri Rama the jewel of Tyagaraja's heart. He engrosses in divine leelas gracing on musical notes as stage, dazzling with nine superior gems. He is the ornament of Tyagaraja's heart.
Last edited by sam on 12 Apr 2026, 12:12, edited 1 time in total.

sam
Posts: 1281
Joined: 04 Mar 2020, 20:25

Re: SRI RAAGAM

Post by sam »

yuktamu-gAdu-
Thyaagaraaja swaami
-SrI--Triputa-
1
BV Raman & BV laxman.

https://youtu.be/AWIP-Tp06Zs?si=QHt4aNvjWWVkzyB1

2
D.K.Pattammamal & Nithyashree Mahadevan"

https://youtu.be/p4f8KH1UIfs?si=0CZa1yuUz8rd6qob

3
Amritha Murali
https://youtu.be/mQB3Ks7Qp9o?si=C6e6UqwcRLFA7JqW

.amrita murali does a great rendition here, though with some frills. Guided by her guru sriramkumar.
The best however is by BVR/BVL.
just 3 mins.
The lyrics are a class by themselves.
Thanks to Govindan Sir.
https://www.gaanapriya.in/vgovindan/Tya ... rAgaM.html
.
O Lord SrI rAma! O Lord who is kind towards devotees! O Redeemer of those fallen!
It is not appropriate for You to remain without protecting me.
You being the Lord having the three powers (of projection, sustenance and in-folding), it is not appropriate for You to remain without protecting me.
Has Your attribute, of subduing one’s previous wrong-doings, become ineffective in this World?,
did Your fame, that ‘Having said, He will not falter’, say that ‘I am not good enough’?,did Your grace say that ‘I will not come to protect Your devotees who are not familiar'?,have all Your powers been expended towards devotees who appeared earlier?
did sItA, who is always by Your side, tell ‘do not speak (to him)'?
did lakshmaNa tell very angrily, ‘what concern is it to You’?
did bharata charmingly fill his eyes with tears of joy (looking at which You forgot about me)?
did AnjanEya hold Your holy feet swearing that ‘don’t do it’?
did brahmA utter a lie that ‘His devotion is not good enough’?
did sarasvati utter many a words that ‘it is not possible for me (to vouch for him)’?
did this tyAgarAja forget to seat You in his heart? or,
did Your sister, (Mother) dharma samvardhani, tell ‘don’t go to join him’?
Please let me know...

sam
Posts: 1281
Joined: 04 Mar 2020, 20:25

Re: SRI RAAGAM

Post by sam »

Karuna Judu Ninnu Nammina-
Shri- Adi-
Shyama Shastri-

Nedunuri Krishnamurthy.
https://youtu.be/isKRdM3-TSU?si=3mNWEIZ12RvMHxDh

https://syamakrishnavaibhavam.blogspot. ... a-sri.html

sam
Posts: 1281
Joined: 04 Mar 2020, 20:25

Re: SRI RAAGAM

Post by sam »

Scale similarities

Madhyamavati is a rāgam which has a symmetric ascending and descending scale, which matches the ascending scale of Shree.

Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R2 M1 P N2 S : S N2 P M1 R2 S

...
Manirangu is a rāgam which has gāndhāram in the descending scale, while all other notes in both the ascending and descending scale are same as Madhyamavati.
Its ārohaṇa-avarohaṇa structure is S R2 M1 P N2 S : S N2 P M1 G2 R2 S

sam
Posts: 1281
Joined: 04 Mar 2020, 20:25

Re: SRI RAAGAM

Post by sam »

Sri Muladha Chakra Vinayaka.

Muthuswami Dikshitar
..
M.S.Subbulakshmi
.
https://youtu.be/FRJbobuTK3Y?si=xC6QzK-VbTZ7sqrY

Sreeni Rajarao
Posts: 1291
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 08:19

Re: SRI RAAGAM

Post by Sreeni Rajarao »

Sam,

Thank you for opening the thread!

You have motivated me to upload one that's close to my heart!

https://youtu.be/5oGMCZ5IsuM

sam
Posts: 1281
Joined: 04 Mar 2020, 20:25

Re: SRI RAAGAM

Post by sam »

Sreeni Rajarao Sir,
Thank you very much.
As I had not heard the song earlier, i used AI..

Pallavi: "Bandanene Ranga bandanene" – He has come, Ranga has arrived!
Anupallavi: Describes Krishna as the "Butter Thief" (Navaneeta Chora) and the father-like protector of the devotee.
Charanams: These verses create a vivid sensory experience, mentioning:
The tinkling sound (Ghilu Ghilu) of his golden anklets.
His dancing feet and the shining rings on his toes.
The jingling of his waist-bells and bracelets.
The final signature (Ankita) of the composer, Purandara Vittala, as the devotee tries to catch the swift and playful Lord. .



baMdanEne raMga baMdanEne |pa|
enna taMde bAlakRuShNa navanIta cOra |apa|

Gilu Gilu GilureMba ponnoMduge gejje|
hoLe hoLe hoLeyuva pAdava nUruta|
nali nalidADuva uMgura araLele|
thaLa thaLa thaLa thaLa hoLeyuta SrIkRuShNA |1|

kiNi kiNi kiNireMba karada kaMkaNa baLe|
JaNa JaNa JaNareMba naDuvina GaMTe|
DhaNa DhaNa DhaNareMba pAdada toDarina|
miNi miNi miNi kuNidADuta SrIkRuShNA|2|

hiDi hiDi hiDi eMdu puraMdara viThalana
duDu duDu duDu duDunE ODutA|
naDe naDe naDeyeMdu mellane piDiyalu|
biDi biDi biDi biDi dammayya ennuta |3|.
.
..
NITHYASRI MAHADEVAN
but in basanthi raag.
https://youtu.be/YAvSgE_-kBQ?si=un28jkb5BTHsZdZE

..

sam
Posts: 1281
Joined: 04 Mar 2020, 20:25

Re: SRI RAAGAM

Post by sam »

vanajAsana vinuta
Shri

subbarAya shAstri

Amrutha Venkatesh -
-
https://youtu.be/BGnz0qVBZjI?si=yW9qbh3aYICF0tHn
.
KarNatic gives lyrics
https://www.karnatik.com/c8929.shtml

- "

sam
Posts: 1281
Joined: 04 Mar 2020, 20:25

Re: SRI RAAGAM

Post by sam »

Adi varAhana celuva
shrI -

Vignesh Ishwar -
Uploaded by
Subramanyam krishnan
Rare song
https://youtu.be/89f5gVt3GEI?si=mOH0yFnLtzi0EHW6-
-

"
AI
.
The Kannada song "Adi Varahana Cheluva Padava" was composed by the saint Shri Vadirajaru (a prominent Haridasa of the Madhwa tradition) and is a devotional composition dedicated to Lord Varaha (the third incarnation of Vishnu, as a boar).

The song is primarily focused on the Srimushna Varaha deity located in Srimushnam, Tamil Nadu, which is considered one of the eight self-manifested (Swayam Vyakta) Kshetras of Vishnu.

Meaning of "Adi Varahana Cheluva Padava"
The song expresses deep desire and devotion, pleading to see the beautiful form of Lord Varaha.
Adi Varahana Cheluva Padava: "The beautiful feet of the primordial Varaha".
Kanade Kannu Vedaneyu Agi: "My eyes are aching and suffering because they have not seen you".
Balu Badhisuttalide Yenna: "My heart is being greatly troubled/distressed".
Ee Dharayolage Shuklanadige Dakshinadallidda: "Located on the south bank of the Shuklanadi river in this world".
Ashta Swayam Vyakta Srimushna: "In the eight self-manifested Srimushnam Kshetra".

Summary of the Composition:
The song describes the intense yearning of the devotee to see the Srimushna Varaha, the self-manifested form of Vishnu. The composer, Vadirajaru, highlights the beauty of the Lord's feet and the immense sorrow caused by the inability to worship Him. It describes the geographical location of the idol within the temple, acknowledging it as a sacred place of the Swayam Vyakta (self-revealed) form of God.
Common Phrases

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