Nottuswaram | Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim Lyrics

Have you heard of Nottuswaras in Carnatic music? If your answer is No, think again of Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim, which you learnt as a child. This song falls under Nottuswaram, a unique style combining notes and swaras designed by Muthuswamy Dikshadhar set in Shaknarabharanam, Adi talam.

Dikshadar- the visionary of Carnatic music who made it to the Trinity, has had many
inspirations, one of which is Nottuswaram. Let’s dive deep into the Nottuswaram of Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim lyrics, which is etched in the hearts of Carnatic musicians because it is one of the first few songs you learn as a child and more. In this blog you will learn Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim lyrics along with significance and nottuswaram.

Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim Composer – Dikshidar

Born in the 18th century Muthuswami Dikshitar,has composed more than 500 songs in Sanskrit, praising gods and many life situations that he has lived through. He is mainly recognised by his Vanika (Veena in today’s terms), emphasising the nuances of gamakas. Muthuswamy Dikshadhar is derived from Muthu (Pearl in Tamil language) and Muthuswamy denotes the deity Selvamuthukumaraswam, of Vaitheeshwaran temple. Though he was born near a small town in Tanjore, he had travelled the lengths and breadths of India.

According to history, he started singing when Lord Muruga of Tiruttani, placed a piece of sugarcane in his mouth and asked to sing, his first composition being Shrinaathaadi Guruguho Jayati Jayati set in Mayamalavagowla, Adi thala (4/4 time signature in western notation). This is also the reason why most of his songs are praising this Tamil Kadavul (Muruga is referred as the Tamil God). When he came to Chennai, Muddaya (another name for Dikshadar), was inspired by Fort St. George bands who made around 39 compositions under the category, and called it Nottuswaram.

Nottuswaram

Is derived from the combination of notes and swaras. He adapted Baroque and Celtic styles showcasing western folk songs composed in Sanskrit. Most of these songs are based of Shankarabharam, the white keys of the keyboard ascending from C scale.

Most of these songs have Irish and Scottish origins where it seems like a bridge between Indian and western music in a chant style like slokas, having a distinct approach to praise the deities of varied temples. The distinct character of these songs is the lack of elaborate gamakas that ornament other krithis of Carnatic music with a striking talam structure that you can ballet to, Try it!

Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim Significance

One of the renowned Nottuswaram is Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim describing Lord Ganesha, who is prayed before you start anything. Being the destroyer of obstacles for a smoother path, this song is first taught in many Carnatic music, especially for children, the reason being it being simple yet fun. The rhythm keeps kids on their toes and hence it is one of the first songs you learn to dance Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance form, as well.

Shankarabharanam Raaga

This 29th sampoorna raga of the 72-raga Melekartha system of Carnatic music, containing all 7 notes is also called Dheerasankarabaharam. Its Hindustani music equivalent is Yaman Kalyan, incidentally the first raga taught in that style unlike Carnatic music teachers imparting Mayamalavagowla raaga.

The notes or the swaras are as follows:

Aarohanam: s r2 g3 m1 p d2 n3 S
Avarohanam: S n3 d2 p m1 g3 r2 S

The notes of Shankarabharanam raga are the lowest key, shadjam(s), chatusruti
rishabam(r2), anthara gandharam(g3), shuddha madyamam(m1), panchamam(p),
chatushruthi daivatam(d2) and kakali nishadam(n3) completed by the highest shadjam represented by S above.

This raga is versatile and can be performed in many permutations and combinations which gives birth to innumerable Janya ragas, like children, including Arabhi, Hamsadhwani, Shuddha Saveri Kurinji and Bilahari. The Shuddha Madhyamam or Ma note used in Kalyani scale is the same as Shankarabharam.

Apart from Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim, he also composed Dakshina-moorthe, Sadasivam Upaasamahe, Akṣhaya-liṃga-vibho and Shri Kamalamba. Many other compositions like Chalamela varnam by Maharaja Swathi Thiruna, Manasu Svādhīnamaina by Saint Tyagaraja, Devi Meena-naytri by Syama Sastri and Rajeevaksha Baro by Swati Thirunal, to name a few.

In films, we would have definitely head bobbed to Paadadha Pattellam from the movie Veerathirumagan or to the ‘Adho, Andha Paravai Pola’ from Ayirathil Oruvan. Both these songs were remixed later. Other famous songs that made to the charts include Love Birds (Anbe Vaa), Nilaave Vaa (Mouna Ragam), Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan (Guna), Netru illatha matram (Pudhiya Mugam), Pennalla Pennalla (Uzhavan), Vetri Nichayam (Annamalai), Sara Sara Saara Kaathu (Vaagai Sooda Vaa) and Rakita Rakita Rakita (Jagame Thandhiram).

If you look at the above list, you would understand how music directors have gone out of the way to explore a myriad of emotions while C Major, the equivalent of Shakarabharam scale, is mostly considered as a generic happy scale that is used to portray children rhymes and marching bands is used in a song like the old classic, Paadatha Pattellam and a funky Rakita Rakita Rakita.

Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim Notations

Song: Shakti sahita

Raga: Dheera shankarabaranam

Tala: Thisra eka.

Composer: Muthuswamy Dikshitar

Aro: S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S

Ava: S N3 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S

G –  G	G  M G	R   S    R	S – –	N – S	R – N	S – R	G –  S
Sha kti	sa hi ta	ga na pa	tim	shanka	ra di	se vi	tamvi
G – G	G  M G	R   S  R	S   R   G	M – G	R   G S	P  S N	S – –
rak ta	sa ka la	mu ni va	ra su ra	ra  ja	vi nu ta	gu ru gu	ham
R – –	N – P	S – G	R – –	R   G  R	N – P	S – G	R – –
bha	kta ni	po sha	kam	bhavasu	tam vi	na ya	kam
P  D  P	M   P  M	G  M  G	R – –	S   R   S	N   S   N	P   D  N	S – –
bhaktimu	ktipradm	bhushita	ngam	rak ta pa	dambujam	bhavaya	mi

Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim | Nottuswaram

Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim is set in Tisra Eka Thalam where a unit of rhythm is divided into three equal parts. Hence, if you look at the above figure, all the swaras and notes are divided into three notes. It might sound like Adi Thalam (4/4 time signature) and can be sung in the same way but the composition structure and tune is designed in such a manner by Swamy Dikshadhar, that it is split into three notes instead of four.

Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim Lyrics

Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim
Shankaradhi Sevitham
Viraktha Sakala-munivara sudha
Raja vinutha Guruguham

Bhakthaali Poshagam
Bhavasutham Vinayakam
Bhukthi Mukthi Pradham Bhooshithaagam
Raktha Padaamujam Bhavayaami, Bhavayaami, Bhavayaami.

Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim Lyrics Meaning

The song is introducing Lord Ganesha (Ganapathim) to the world, who is always seen along with (sahitha) his mother, Goddess Parvathi (Shakthi). He is showered with praises from Lord Shiva (Shankraadhi), admired by the Lord of Indra, all sages (munivara)  who have renounced their materialistic lifestyle (viraktha) and the poet, Muthuswamy Dikshadhar (Guruguham). 

The next verse of Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim Lyrics is from the point of view of Dikshadhar who prays (bhavayaami) to Lord Ganesha (Vinayakkam), who is known to be protector (poshakam) of his devotees (Bhakthali), the son (sutham) of Lord Shiva (Bhava), the benefactor (pradham) of happiness (Bhukthi) and salvation (moksham), who is predominantly decked in vibrant clothes (bhooshitaangam) having red (raktha, the colour of blood) feet like the lotus flower (paddambhujam).

Other Devotional Tracks of Lord Ganesha

Apart from the lovable Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim, there are a million songs that you can choose from, to praise and tell tales of Lord Ganesha. Maha Ganapathim set in Hamsadhwani, is one of the crowd favourites to start a concert which was later inspired to suit the light music of Chennai Senthamizh in the movie, M. Kurmaran S/O Mahalakshmi. Other songs include Ganapathiye Varuvai, Vinayakane Vinai Theerpavane (Seergazhi Govindarajan), Ekadanthaya, Gajavadhana (Unni Krishnan version), and Vinayaka Nenuvina Brochudavu. 

Some of the popular film songs about Lord Vinayaka are Saamy Varudhu (Udan Pirappu), Maha Ganapathi (Amarkalam) and Gajanana (Bajirao Mastani). Listen to them on popular digital platforms like Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music and SoundCloud.

Final Thoughts

Few days back, Vinayaka Chaturthi went by and we were able to hear so many songs on the road while crossing streets with temples, kids competitions and a zillion Instagram covers. Vinayaka is the favourite god for many because of his friendly and amicable nature who grants your wish in a jiffy unlike his family comprising Shiva, Parvathi and Murugan. Conditions apply! 

The song, Shakthi Sahitha Ganapathim is very close to my heart, not only because it is a song that I learnt as a child, but is also the first song I sang in my debut katcheri. Set it Shankarabharanam, this short devotional number is sure to make your lips go wide with a smile feeling nostalgic moments like mine and enjoy its simplicity in this feel-good Nottuswaram, Dikshidar-style!

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