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SPRING NECTAR'S SPECIAL EDITION - 2
(Abhyasa Ganam Series)

Author: Dr. Rose Muralikrishnan

A complete premier learning guide for learning fundamental rudiments of  Carnatic
2. THE SECOND SET - GEETHAMS

INTERMEDIATE - LESSON PLAN - 2

Voice Culture & Vocal Exercises for Carnatic Vocal Students Introduction To Carnatic Vocal

GEETHAM

Geetham
is one of the simple musical forms and permits a student to learn a composition without the complexities of Pallavai, Anupallavi, Charanam etc. It is a stepping stone for the next higher musical form, varnam and the Kriti. Usually Geetham is sung from start to finish without a break. Geethams themselves come in various forms such as Sadharana or ordinary Geetham; Sanchari Geetham and Lakshana Geetham etc.

GEETHA LAKSHANAM

The music of the geetha is simple melodic extension of the raga in which it is composed. Its tempo is uniform. It is a continuous composition without the sections pallavi, anupallavi and charanam. The geetha is sung without repetition from the beginning to end. Some geethas have two sections (Khandikas) and some have three. Some geethas are concluded by repeating portion of the opening part.

Sanchari Geethas: are usually in praise of God, Musical luminaries and Acharyas.

Purandara Dasa's introductory geethas in praise of Vigneswara, Maheswara and Vishnu are sometimes referred to as Pillari Geethas. The significant introduction of vowels in the very first geetha is noteworthy and justifies the genius of the composer.  After him no noteworthy composer has attempted to compose Sanchari Geethas. These types of geethas are sung from the beginning to the end without repeating the avarthas. If a geetha consists of two sections (Kandikas)  the second section is sung after the first.

There are different categories of Sadharana Geetha
1.Pillari Geetha: Geethas written in praise of God like Vigneswara, Mahesara, Mahavishnu etc are called Pillari Geetha. Ex: Sri Gananadha in Malahari Ragam, Rupaka Thalam.

2.Gana Raga Geetha: Geethas written in Gana Ragas like Nata, Gowla, Arabi, Sri Ragam, Varaali are called Gana Raga Geethas. Ex: Re Re Sri Rama in Arabi Ragam, Triputa Thalam

3.Rakthi Raga Geetha: Geethas set to Rakthi ragas like Mohana and Kalyani are called Rakthi Raga Geethas. Ex: Vara Veena in Mohana Ragam. Rupaka Thalam.

4. Raga Malika Geetha: In a same geetha, if more than one raga is used, it's called Raga Malika Geetha. This type of Geethas are not in use today.

 LAKSHANA GEETHAM

In a Lakshana Geetha, Sahityam will describe the lakshna of the Raga in which the Geetha is set to. There will be a small Deiva Stuthi too. Lakshna Geethas describe the following lakshanas of the ragas: Melam/Janyam: Is the Ragam a Mela Kartha ragam or a derivative ragam (Janya Ragam) based on a Melam. Bashanga or Ubhanga Ragam
Whether the raga is Audava, Shadava or Sampoorna Raga. Arohana and Avarohana of the RagamVakram/Varjam
If there's any vakram or varjam in Arohana/Avarohana of the Ragam Jiva, Nyasa (Ending Note) and Graha (Starting) swaras of the raga. Notable composers who wrote Geethas: Purandara Dasa, Paidala Gurumurthy Sastry, Govindhacharya, Venkata Makhi, Rama Mathya.

A complete premier learning guide for learning fundamental rudiments of South Indian Carnatic Music

1. GEETHAM - SRI GANANATHA - RAGAM: MALAHARI - TALAM: ROOPAKAM

2. GEETHAM - KUNDHA GOURA - RAGAM: MALAHARI - TALAM: ROOPAKAM

3. GEETHAM - KEREYA NEERANU - RAGAM: MALAHARI - TALAM: TISRA TRIPUTA

4. GEETHAM - PADHUMANABHA- RAGAM: MALAHARI - TALAM: TISRA TRIPUTA

5. GEETHAM - VARA VEENA - RAGAM: MOHANAM - TALAM: ROOPAKAM

6. GEETHAM - KAMALA JADHALA - RAGAM: KALYANI - TALAM: TISRA TRIPUTA

7. GEETHAM - ANALEKARA - RAGAM: SUDHA SAVERI - TALAM: TISRA TRIPUTA

8. GEETHAM - JANAKA SUTHA - RAGAM: SAVERI - TALAM: ROOPAKAM

9. GEETHAM - MANDHARA DHARARE - RAGAM: KAMBHOJI - TALAM: ADI

10. GEETHAM - RE RE SHIRAMA CHANDRA - RAGAM: AARABHI - TALAM: TISRA TRIPUTA

Easy Learning Edition 3