top of page

EKA-KRITHI RAGAS: SUPRADEEPAM – JANYA OF MELA (17) RAGAM SURYAKANTHAM

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.


32 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Komentáře


bottom of page