One of the rarest janya of a very rare mela ragam; Supradeepam is janya of mela (17) Suryakantham. There is only one composition heard in this raga – that also very rarely – the composition of Sri. Thyagaraja, “Varashikhi vahana”. Incidentally, this seems to be the only composition by the Saint on Lord Subrahmanya. This is a raga brought to light by the Saint; but none of the other Trinities, nor the composers of the later period have seen to set their hands on this raga, except HH Jayachamaraja Wodeyar of Mysore; but his composition is not heard sung.
Supradeepam is a shadava vakra-sampoorna raga and the ragaswaroopam can be found as:
S R1 M1 P D2 N3 S // S N3 D2 P M1 G3 M1 R1 S
Ragapravaham by D.Pattammal gives two specifications (one same as the above), under mela (17) – almost similar ones:
S R M P D N S // S N D P M G M R S
S R M P D N S // S N D P M G M R S M S
Compositions:
Varashikhi vahana - Thyagaraja
Pahimam sri panchamathangavadana - J.C.Wodeyar
The Thyagaraja krithi, as already mentioned, is on Lord subrahmanya; it is in Sanskrit language. The interesting fact is that the krithi begins with the symbolic phrase of the raga – SRMPD.
Meaning:
“O Lord subrahmaNya whose carrier is the blessed peacock! O Lotus Eyed! O Lord whose (splendour of the) body vanquishes multitudes of cupids!
O Lord whose feet are praised by brahmA and indra and other celestials! O Virtuous Lord kumAra!
O Destroyer of demons tAraka and SUra-padma like cotton (in fire)! O Son of pArvati! O The Brave One! O Sister’s Son of Lord SrI raghuvIra! O Lord who is munificient towards those who are dear! O Merciful Lord! O Lord praised by this tyAgarAja!
Please bestow auspiciousness”.
We shall listen to an excellent rendition of this composition by vid. Sikkil Gurucharan.