Module II Pillari Gita and Sanchari Gita

Carnatic Classical Music

Notes
4
Pillari Gita and Sanchari Gita

G
ita are simple compositions, a beginner come across with a literical part
for the first time in learning carnatic music. Through these compositions,
learners will get a clear idea about the raga, its sancharas — way of
progression of the Swarasthanas’ — variety of notes. Etc. Words do not have much
importance in these type of compositions. Generally these are in praise of Gods
or Goddesses. And those Gitam, which are in praise of Lord Ganesha is popularly
known as Pillari Gitas and the rest are known as Sanchari Gitas.
Gitas are usually practiced in three degrees of speed; without much Gamakas and
Sangatis. Illustrated here as a Pillari Gita in the raga Malahari and two Sanchari
Gitas in the ragas Suddha Saveri and Mohanam.

OBJECTIVES
After practising this lesson, the learner will be able to:
z state the basic structure of raga;
z sing a composition with swaras as well as lyrics;
z produce the composition in different speeds;
z develop the voice quality.
4.1 PILLARI GITAM
Raga Malahari Tala Rupakam (chaturasrajati)
Janya of 15th Mela
Arohanam — S R1 M1 P D1 S
Avarohanam — S1 D1 P M1 G2 R1 S
It is a Audava — Shadava raga i.e.
Takes only five notes S R M P D in the arohanam and six notes S D P M G R in
the avarohanam.
Vadi — R Samvadi — D
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Pillari Gita and Sanchari Gita Module II
Carnatic Classical Music
Gitam
1) Sri Gananatha — Sinduravarna
Karunasagara — kari vadana
Lambodhara Lakumikara
Ambasuta amaravinuta (Lambodhara) Notes

2) Siddha charana ganasevita

Siddhi Vinayaka te namonamah (Lambodhara)
3) Sakala Vidyaadi poojita
Sarvottama te namo namah (Lambodhara)
. . . . .
1. M P D S S R R S D P M P
Sree Gananatha Sindhu ra - var na
R M P D M P D P M G R S
Karu na Sa gara Kari Va da - na
S R M, G R S R G R S ,
Lam bo-dara la ku mi ka ra
R M P D M P D P M G R S
Am — ba - su ta a ma ra vi nu ta
S R M, G R S R G R S,
Lam bo-dara la ku mi ka ra
. . . . .
2. M P D S S R R S D P M P
siddha cha – ra na ga na se - vi ta
R M P D M P D P M G R S
siddhi vina yaka te namo namo
(Lambodara)
. . . . .
3. M P D S S R R S D P M P
saka la vi dya - — di pu – ji ta
R M P D M P D P M G R S
sar — vo – tama te – namonamo
(Lambodara)
4.2 SANCHARI — GITAM
Raga — Sudha saveri Tala — Tisrajati Triputa
Janya of 29th mela
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 Module II Pillari Gita and Sanchari Gita

Carnatic Classical Music

4.3 RAGAM – SUDHA DHANYASI JANYA OF 28th MELA
.
Arohanam — S R2 M1 P D2 S
.
Avarohanam — S D2 P M1 R2 S

Notes It is an Audava scale which means five notes in the arohana and five notes in the
avarohana.
Vadi Ri Samvadi — D, G

Gitam
Analekara unni poladi
Sakala shastra purana dhinam
Thala dhinam Thala parigatu —
Re re sethu vaha,
Parigatham nam jata juta
. . . . . . .
R M R R S D S S , S D P M P
A — na le - ka ra Un - ni Po — la di
.
D D S D , D P P M R D D D P
Sa ka la sh — sthrapu ra — na di — nam -
P , P D D D P P , P M P D P
tha — la di — nam — tha — la pa ri ga tu
P M R S R S R P M P SR SR
re — re a — — — a — — a — — —
P P D P P M R R S R M , M ,
a — — a — — — Se — thu va — ha,
D P D S , S , R R S D P M P
pa ri ga tham — nam — ja ta — Ju — ta
D D S D , D P P M R D D D P
sa ka la sha — sthrapu ra — na — di — nam —
P — P D D D P P — P M P D P
tha — la di — nam — tha — la pa vi gat tu
P M R S R S R P M P S R S R
re — re a — — — a — — a — — —
P P D P P M R R S R M, , M ,
a — — a — — — se — thu va — ha —
D P D S, , S,
pa ri ga tham — nam —
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Pillari Gita and Sanchari Gita Module II
Carnatic Classical Music
Raga — Mohanam
Janya of 28th mela Hari Kambhoji :
Arohana & Avarohana — S R2 G2 P D2 S
— S D2 P G2 R2 S
Notes
Vadi: — G
Samvadi : — D
Sanchara — gpgrs, — rdsrg, — grgpd, — gdp, — gpdsrgr, — grgpgrs, — dsdp,
— dpgpgr, — srgpgrs,
Gita Ragam — Mohanam,
Talam — Roopakam.
Vara Veena Mridupani Vanaruhalochana Rani;
Suru Chirabambara Veni Suranu ta kalyani
Nirupama subhaguna lola Nirada jayaprada seela
Varada priya ranganayaki vanchita phala dayaki
Saraseejasanajanani Jaya jaya jaya jaya vani
Ragam : Mohanam Talam : Roopakam
x x v x x. v.
gg P P dp S S
va ra vee na mrudu pani
x x v x x v
rs dd P dp gg R
vana ruha lo chana ra ni
x x v x x v
gp ds D dp gg R
suru chira bam bhara ve — ni
x x v x x v
gg dp G pg gr S
suranuta kal ya — — — ni
x x v x x v
gg gg rg pg P P
niru pama shubha guna lo la
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 Module II Pillari Gita and Sanchari Gita

Carnatic Classical Music

x x v x x. v.
gg dp D pd S, S,
nira taja ya prada sheele
x x v x x v
dg
. ..
rr
.ss. ds
. dd dp
Notes
vara da — priya ranga na — yaki
x x v x x v
.
gp ds dp dp gg rs
va — n chita phala da - - - yaki
x x v x x v
sr G G gr pg R
sara si ja sana jana ni
x x v x x v
sr sg rs rd. S S
ja ya jaya jaya jaya va ni

INTEXT QUESTIONS
1. Mention the name of an Audava — Shadava raga.
2. What is the name of those Gitas which are in praise of lord Ganesha.
3. From which mela, Sudha Saveri raga has derived?
4. Name a tala which has got seven Aksharakala duration.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY
1. Try to sing the learnt Gitams in three speeds.
2. Sing vowel exercises for the swaras of Gitam you have learnt.

56 PRACTICAL