Ragam VijayanAgari is said to evoke feelings of pathos, like Shivaranjani and Neelamani; hence usually grouped along the same ragas. But, while Shivaranjani (especially its another modification, Misra Shivaranjani) finds application widely in light and film songs, the other two are seldom used; though the carnatic compositions in all these ragas are only few. Also, while the others are of Suddha madhyama origin, Vijayanagari contains prathimadhyamam. The raga can be defines as Nishada-varja Dharmavathi, as:
S R2 G2 M2 P D2 S // S D2 P M2 G2 R2 S
The ragam Vijayanagari is said to be created by Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr.Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar. He is also credited with the creations of several other ragams like Karnaranjani, Niroshta, Vijayasaraswathi, Saranga Mallar etc. While listening to this ragam, you will get a feel of Shivaranjani also, though they are derived from two different ragams.
Though this is a Janya ragam of Dharmavathi, there are others who claim that it is a derivative of Hemavathi. It is not a big surprise to see such counter claims since Hemavathi and Dharmavathi are the adjoining ragams in the Melakartha system and what differentiates Vijayanagari from these two, is the absence of a Nishadam in the both ascending and descending scales and between Dharmavathi and Hemavathi, and is the kind of Nishadam present.
Ragapravaham also places it under mela (59) Dharmavathi, confirming the above scale, with slight modifications also.
S R G M P D S - S D P M G R S
S R G M P D S - S D P P M G R S
Compositions:
anEkAtmanE – Dr. Muthaiah Bhagavathar
evaritO nE – Tiruvottiyur Thyagaiah
sharaNanu koNTinayyA – Walajpet Venkataramana Bhagavathar
vijayAmbikE - Dr. Muthaiah Bhagavathar
Enakennadi Thaye - B.Sasikumar (Chandrapothar)
Rajamatangi Madhurapureeswari - Sattur karpagam
Lalitambike - T. Chowdaiah
Rara Muralidhara - Lalitha Dasar
Yaake Nirdayanadiyo - Purandaradasar
Kamalambike - ?
karuvin uruvAghi - Arunagirinathar
Mahanubhava thyagaraja - Tiruvottiyur Thyagayya
Many of these are heard sung; like: enakkennadi thaye (by Chandrapothar), sung by Kavalam Srikumar; Rara muralidhara by Chembai; mahanubhava Thyagaraja by Maharajapuram Santhanam etc.