There are many ragas either still alive or still remembered only because of Saint Thyagaraja’s compositions; Jingala is one such raga. But for the Thyagaraja krithi, ‘Anathudanu ganu’, the raga would have become extinct long time back, though there are very few other compositions also, which are not heard at all.
Jingala is a janya of mela (20) ragam NaTabhairavi; it is a sampoorna ragam (contains all the notes of the janaka ragam in both directions; with Panchamam and Suddha Dhaivatham appearing again in vakra in the arohanam, that the ragaswaroopa can be written as:
S R2 G2 M1 P D1 N2 D1 P S // S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S
The difference in listening experience is caused by the notes in the uttaranga of arohanam as P D1 N2 D1 P, while purvanga is same as Natabhairavi. It is sung at medium to medium fast tempo only.
SSP by Subbarama Dikshithar does not mention about this raga; but Ragapravaham by D.Pattammal gives three different configurations for the raga, under same mela, NaTabhairavi :
S R2 G2 P D1 N2 P D1 P S // S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S
S M1 R2 M1 P N2 D1 N1 S // S N2 D1 N2 D1 M1 G2 R2 S
S R2 G2 M1 P D1 P S // S N2 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S
Compositions:
Anathudanu ganu - Thyagaraja
Bhargam pashupathim – Dr. Muthaiah Bhagavathar
Palaya anavaratham - Swathithirunal
Now, we come to the discussion section. We take the only available krithi by Sadguru, ‘Anathudanu ganu’.
pallavi
anAthuDanu gAnu; rAma nE!
anupallavi
anAthuDavu nIvani niga majnyula sanAtanula mATa vinnAnu; nE
caraNam
nirAdaravu jUci, yI kali narAdhamulanEru
purANapuruSa! purAripunuta! nAgarATshayana! tyAgarAjanuta!
The meaning: O Rama! I am not an orphan (as you are taking care of me) In a way you are that (since there is none to take care of you and none above you to command you), that is what I have heard from wise men well versed in vedas Silly folks, in their ignorance, call me a destitute because I do not have any human support. O Purana Purusha! One worshipped by Shiva! One who reclines on Adishesha! (where is the need for any support when you have taken me into your fold!)