Kamala Sulochana

Table of Contents

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

English

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