Kamala Sulochana

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Set to the soulful sounds of Ananda Bhairavi ragam, Kamala sulochana geetham is simple in structure, yet profound in spirit. This geetham whispers the timeless language of Bakti.

Among Carnatic music’s foundational compositions, Geethams offer an introduction to the blend of raga and tala. This composition stands out not just for its pedagogical value but for its musical richness and authenticity.


Introduction to Kamala Sulochana Geetham

Raagam : Ananda Bhairavi

Thalam :Aadhi Thalam

Arohanam : S G1 R2 G1 M1 P D2 P Ṡ

Avarohanam : Ṡ N1 D2 P M1 G1 R2 S

Characteristics of Kamala Sulochana Geetham’ Raga: Ananda Bhairavi

Ananda Bhairavi Raga branches out of 20th melakarta Mother raga, Natabhairavi. It is best known for its ‘rakti’ (emotional appeal), ‘Karuna rasa’ and Bhakti(devotion).

Geetham Kamala sulochana’s raga Ananda Bhairavi uses the following swaras:

S – Shadjamam
G2 – Sadharana Gandharam
R2 – Chatusruti Rishabam
M1 – Shuddha Madhyamam
P – Pachamamam
D2 – Chatusruti Daivatam
N2 – Kaisiki Nishadam

These are the expansions of Kamala Sulochana geetham swaras. The characteristic phrases like G R G and D P S gives Ananda bhairavi ragam geetham its distinct sound.


What are the Lyrics of Kamala Sulochana Geetham?

Here are the Kamala Sulochana Geetham Lyrics in English.

kamala sulochana vimala lata tagini
marala gamini kari hara madhye
bimbanana vidu mandalarē
chandana kunkuma sankalita
parimala kasturi tilakatare re
jāji saiya kacha kucha ghana jaga-
nāmbhoja marala gamini
karihara madhye bimbanana
vidu maṇḍalare


Kamala Sulochana Geetham’ Notation

1 N D N Ṡ │ Ṡ , │ N Ṡ ‖
  Ka ma la su │ lō – │ cha na ‖
                       
  Ġ Ṙ Ṡ N │ N D │ P M ‖
  vi ma la tha │ tā – │ gi ni ‖
                       
  P P P D │ N D │ P M ‖
  ma rā – la │ gā – │ mi ni ‖
                       
  M P M P │ G R │ S , ‖
  ka ri ha ra │ ma – │ dhyē – ‖
                       
  S , Ṇ , │ S G │ G M ‖
  bim – bā – │ – – │ na na ‖
                       
  G M P M │ G R │ S , ‖
  vi du man – │ da la │ rē – ‖
                       
  P , M G │ M , │ G R ‖
  chan – da na │ kum – │ ku ma ‖
                       
  G , R N │ S , │ S , ‖
  sam – dā li │ thā – │ – – ‖
                       
  P P M G │ M M │ G R ‖
  Pa ri ma la │ ka – │ sthū ri ‖
                       
  G G R N │ S , │ S , ‖
  Thi la ka tha │ rē – │ rē – ‖
                       
  S G R G │ M G │ M , ‖
  Jā – – ji │ s’ai – │ yā – ‖
                       
  P N D N │ P D │ N Ṡ ‖
  Ka cha ku cha │ gha na │ ja ga ‖
                       
  Ġ Ṙ Ṡ N │ N D │ P M ‖
  nam – – – │ bō – │ – ja ‖
                       
  P P P D │ N D │ P M ‖
  Ma ra – la │ gā – │ mi ni ‖
                       
  M P M P │ G R │ S , ‖
  Ka ri ha ra │ ma – │ dhyē – ‖
                       
  S , N , │ S G │ G M ‖
  Bim – bā – │ – – │ na na ‖
                       
  G M P M │ G R │ S , ‖
  vi du man – │ da la │ rē – ‖
                       


1 N D N Ṡ │ Ṡ , │ N Ṡ ‖
  Ka ma la su │ lō – │ cha na ‖
                       
  Ġ Ṙ Ṡ N │ N D │ P M ‖
  vi ma la tha │ tā – │ gi ni ‖
                       
  P P P D │ N D │ P M ‖
  ma rā – la │ gā – │ mi ni ‖
                       
  M P M P │ G R │ S , ‖
  ka ri ha ra │ ma – │ dhyē – ‖
                       
  S , Ṇ , │ S G │ G M ‖
  bim – bā – │ – – │ na na ‖
                       
  G M P M │ G R │ S , ‖
  vi du man – │ da la │ rē – ‖
                       
  P , M G │ M , │ G R ‖
  chan – da na │ kum – │ ku ma ‖
                       
  G , R N │ S , │ S , ‖
  sam – dā li │ thā – │ – – ‖
                       
  P P M G │ M M │ G R ‖
  Pa ri ma la │ ka – │ sthū ri ‖
                       
  G G R N │ S , │ S , ‖
  Thi la ka tha │ rē – │ rē – ‖
                       
  S G R G │ M G │ M , ‖
  Jā – – ji │ s’ai – │ yā – ‖
                       
  P N D N │ P D │ N Ṡ ‖
  Ka cha ku cha │ gha na │ ja ga ‖
                       
  Ġ Ṙ Ṡ N │ N D │ P M ‖
  nam – – – │ bō – │ – ja ‖
                       
  P P P D │ N D │ P M ‖
  Ma ra – la │ gā – │ mi ni ‖
                       
  M P M P │ G R │ S , ‖
  Ka ri ha ra │ ma – │ dhyē – ‖
                       
  S , N , │ S G │ G M ‖
  Bim – bā – │ – – │ na na ‖
                       
  G M P M │ G R │ S , ‖
  vi du man – │ da la │ rē – ‖
                       


What is the Meaning of Kamala Sulochana Geetham?

Here is the Kamala Sulochana Geetham meaning

Eyes like lotus, so pure and graceful like a tender vine creeper that flows like a river. She walks like a swan, adorned with the symbols of majesty, Lion and elephant. This Goddess’ face is radiant like the shining moon. She is also decorated with gifts of sandalwoods and vermillion.

Goddess Lakshmi wears a beautiful fragrant musk tilaka in her forehead and hair embellished with jasmine flowers. She is the greatest of all women, a lotus-like. She is the most beloved Goddess of the world, most radiant and regal. This is the most followed spiritual meaning of Kamala Sulochana Geetham.

 


Vocal Techniques Used in Kamala Sulochana Geetham

The teaching methodology for this Geetham, is apt for early voice development and to develop ear training skills. This methodology is one of the more proven ways to learn raga structures through melody than theoretically.

Technique used Description Application
Swarasthana Pitch accuracy of each swara Ananda bhairavi uses vakra patterns of swaras
Clear pronunciation Proper pronunciation of the language Lyrics needs to be pronounced with clarity and correct sanskrit diction
Gamaka Slight ornamentation to enhance the performance Little oscillations in the swaras G, R, D
Breath control Perfect phrasing with good breath control Helps in maintaining fluidity in longer phrases
Tala alignment Synchronisation of tala with raga Rhythm structure of the swaras needs to aligned with the tala


Comparing Kamala Sulochana Geetham With Other Popular Geethams

Feature Kamala Sulochana Geetham Vara Veena Geetham Sri Gananatham Geetham Analekara Geetham
Raga Ananda Bhairavi Mohanam Malahari Sutha Saveri
Melakarta Raga Natabhairavi 20th Harikamboji 28th Mayamalavagowla 15th Shankarabharanam
Tala Adi Rupakam Rupakam Triputa
Lyrical Theme Goddess Lakshmi Lord Krishna Lord Ganesha Lord Vishnu
Technical Benefits Balance of simplicity and depth More ornate patterns Very basic structure Basic structure
Learning Stage Early intermediate Mid-intermediate Absolute beginner Advanced beginner
Progression Value Foundation for advanced mohanam Explores
mohanam raga		 First composition for many Introduces simple raga
Structure Pallavi, Anupallavi, Charanam Pallavi, Anupallavi Pallavi, Anupallavi Pallavi, Anupallavi
Mood / Rasa Devotional, gentle Bright, auspicious Simple, devotional Joyful, uplifting


FAQs

Watching tutorials online or listening to professionals sing is the best way to get the pronunciation right.

It is not very difficult to learn this geetham for beginners.

Ananda Bhairavi is the raga of Kamala Sulochana Geetham.

Puranthara Dasa Kamala Sulochana Geetham.

Yes, learning ananda bhairavi geetham is good for beginners.

Adi Tala is the tala of Kamala Sulochana Geetham.

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