Pancharathna Kritis

The Pancharatna kritis are a set of five kritis in Carnatic classical music, composed by the 18th-century Indian composer Tyagaraja. Inspired by this music form of Pancharatnam, Dr Rukmini Ramani composed Kapaaleeswara Pancharatnam, Thiruvarur Pancharatnam and Maha Periyava Pancharatnam of 5 kritis each

Kapaaleeswara Pancharatnam: The group of kritis composed by Dr. Rukmini Ramani on specific themes and temples deserves special mention. Being a resident of Mylapore, she shared her father’s deep affinity for Lord Kapaleeswara. In the year 2000, she felt a sudden calling to compose on this deity, and within three days, she created the Kapaleeswara Pancharatnam with Swara and Sahitya. It marked her first major group composition. Inspired by Saint Tyagaraja’s Pancharathnams, the Kapaleeswara Pancharatnam is a set of five compositions in the traditional Ghana raga panchakam. Dr. Rukmini Ramani has skillfully used the language to express the lyrical content. These Pancharathnams have gained considerable popularity, and as an annual ritual, they are sung by musicians in Narada Gana Sabha on September 26th, which marks the birth anniversary of Sri Papanasam Sivan. This serves as a tribute to Sri Sivan, as these compositions are dedicated to Lord Kapaleeswara, the revered deity of Sri Sivan, even though they were composed by his own daughter. DD Podhigai continues to telecast these Pancharathnams.

Kapaaleeswara Pancharatna Kritis:

1. Nayakan Vinayakan – Ragam: Naatai, Talam: Adi
2. Karpaga Nathanin – Ragam: Gowla, Talam: Adi
3. Kapaaleesane – Ragam: Arabhi, Talam: Adi
4. Kaavadhu Kaividudhal – Ragam: Varali, Talam: Adi
5. Sri Kapaaleesane – Ragam: Sri, Talam: Adi

Thiruvarur Pancharatnam: Dr. Rukmini Ramani composed the Thiruvarur Pancharatnam upon a request from a Rasika from Thiruvarur. Before composing the five kritis, she diligently studied the temple, its history, and mythology. For the choice of ragas, she followed the same pattern as Tyagaraja’s Kovur Pancharatnam, which includes Panthuvarali, Sahana, Karaharapriya, Shankarabharanam, and Kalyani. These kritis glorify the unique aspects of Thiruvarur, such as the chariot festival, the sacred pond Kamalalayam, and being the birthplace of the musical trinity.

Thiruvarur Pancharatna Kritis:

1. Ulaguyya – Ragam: Panthuvarali, Talam: Adi
2. Kamalambikai – Ragam: Sahana, Talam: Adi
3. Manamillayo – Ragam: Karaharapriya, Talam: Misra Chapu
4. Thiruvarur Thirukoil – Ragam: Shankarabharanam, Talam: Adi
5. Aarur Nagar urai Azhagane – Ragam: Kalyani, Talam: Adi

Maha Periyava Pancharatnam “Prathyaksha Deivame”: Dr. Rukmini Ramani expresses great satisfaction in her composition of the Maha Periyava Pancharatnam. The first kriti in Thodi is dedicated to Adi Shankarar, encompassing his birth, Sanyasam, entire life, and his significant contributions. The next four kritis are dedicated to Paramacharya Sri Chandrasekara Saraswathi Swamigal. They are set in the ragas Simhendramadhyamam, Chakravakam, Dharmavathi, and finally, Sarasangi. These four kritis vividly depict the life of Jagatguru Paramacharya, highlighting his monumental contributions to the welfare of humanity, and concluding with the continuation of Sri Jayendra Swamigal and the present Sri Vijayendra Swamigal. Many musicians and students of music, who are devotees of Maha Periyava, are learning these kritis directly from the composer, Dr. Rukmini Ramani, online.

Maha Periyava Pancharatnam:

1. Avatharam Nigazhndade – Ragam: Thodi, Talam: Adi
2. Prathyaksha Deivame – Ragam: Simhendra Madhyamam, Talam: Adi
3. Kankanda Deivame – Ragam: Chakravagam, Talam: Adi
4. Karpaga Tharu Pol – Ragam: Dharmavathi, Talam: Adi
5. Dhayai Nidhiye – Ragam: Sarasangi, Talam: Adi