Keerthana

Śhrī Purandharadhāsa was in a way, the founder of Kīrthana form which it its melody is based on technical compositions like Gītha whose purpose is to elucidate Rāga forms and Thāḷa patterns. The emphasis in the Kīrthanas is on its aesthetic excellence and that is why it is considered as the most important part of Karnātic classical music. It was the genius of Śhrī Purandharadhāsa that created Kīrthanas on the basis of which Kruthi form was evolved.

The great master composers who came after Śhrī Purandharadhāsa faithfully followed the tradition and form which he established. The Rāga and Thāḷa aspects are followed by composers like Dīkṣhitar and Śhāma Śhāsthri and purely Rāga aspects by composers like Kśhethragna. But it was Thyāgarāja who brought out the fullest measure all the three aspects – Rāga, Bhāva and Thāḷa of the tradition, founded by Śhrī Purandharadhāsa.

Rāga: Nāṭṭai

Thāḷa: Adhi
Composer: Ūtthukkāḍu Vénkaṭasubbaiyyar
Language: Sanskrit

Transliteration: Lakṣhmaṇ Ragḍe.

Meanings - Word by word: Rajani – Rasikas. Org

Meanings - Overall: Team Ambalam

Alignment, Diacriticals & consequent spelling changes, Language & grammar editing, if any and necessary, of existing meaning: Team Ambalam

Pallavi

Ānandha Narthana Gaṇapathim Bhāvaye

Chidhākāra Mūlādhhāra Omkāra Gajavadhanam Paramam Param

Charaṇam

Sānandha Munīndhra Gaṇanutha Śhiva Śhankara Mānasa vilīna mānam

Thanthrīlaya Samanvitha Gandhharva Chāraṇa Varānugiya Mānam

Dhina Jana Mandhāram Anupama Dhivya Kalebhara Śhobhāya Mānam

Bhāsamānam Asamānam Bhajamānam Bhakthajana Sammānam

Pa, ma ga Ma, ga sa Sa sa ri sa - Thaka Thanaku Dhimitha Kita Thanangu Thaka

Dhinutha Dhinutha Tham Thai Ya Tham…….

Tham Thanamdhari Tham Thaka Jhaṇam Thanamthari

 Tham Thanamdhari Jhaṇam Thanamdhari;

Thari Thari Thari ; Dhimi Dhimi Dhimi;Kita Kita Kita; Jhaṇa Jhaṇa Jhaṇa;

Dhivipathinutham Pādha Sarasijam;

Ma ga pa ma ni pa; Marakathanibham; Madhakarimukham; Praṇavaninādham(pranava lalitham);

Ajitham Anagham Śhubhadham Paramam Kanakāmbara Dhhara Eka Radhanam

Thaddhith-Thaka Jhaṇamtha Nakathari dhitthaka janamtha Nakathari Thaka

Jhaṇamtha Naka thari Tha…..||

Thaddhith-Thaka Jhaṇamtha Nakathari dhitthaka janamtha Nakathari Thaka

Jhaṇamtha Naka thari Thei….||

Thaddhith-Thaka Jhaṇamtha Nakathari dhitthaka janamtha Nakathari Thaka

Jhaṇamtha Naka Param || anandha……..

Pallavi

Ānandha Narthana Gaṇapathim Bhāvaye

Chidhākāra Mūlādhhāra Omkāra Gajavadhanam Paramam Param

Ānandha narthana gaṇapathim bhāvaye  - I meditate on the joyous dancing Gaṇapathi
sadhā - always
( paramānandha- great bliss)
Chidhākāra  - whose form is pure consciousness
Mūlādhhāra omkāra - who lives in the Mūlādhhāra chakra and who is the form of Om
Gajavadhanam - the elephant faced one
Paramam - the great

Charaṇam

Sānandha Munīndhra Gaṇanutha Śhiva Śhankara Mānasa vilīna mānam

Thanthrilaya Samanvitha Gandhharva Chāraṇa Varānugiya Mānam

Dhīna Jana Mandhāram Anupama Dhivya Kalebhara Śhobhaya Mānam

Bhāsamānam Asamānam Bhajamānam Bhakthajana Sammānam

Sānandha  - with joy;

Munīndhra – lord of sages;

Gaṇanutha - Praised;
Śhiva Śhankara – Lord Shiva;

Mānasa –mind of; heart of;

Vilīnamanam - residing in the;

Tanthrilaya Samanvitha - along with strings (of Vīṇā) and percussion

Gandhharva - semi-divine beings;

Charaṇa –semi-divine beings;

Varānugīya Manam  - sung by the best of Gandhharvas and Chāraṇas,

Dhīna Jana- the needy;

Mandhāram- who is the wish-fulfilling tree to; Anupama –unmatched;

Dhivya-divine;

Kaḷebhara- an incomparable divine body ;

Śhobhāya Manam - who shines with;
Bhāsamānam- the resplendent;
Asamānam – peerless;
Bhajamānam - who sing (his praises);
Bhakthajana- devotees;

Sammānam - one who honours;

Dhivipathinutham Pādha Sarasijam Ma ga pa ma ni pa

Marakathanibham Madhakarimukham Praṇavaninādham

Ajitham Anagham Śhubhadham Paramam

Kanakāmbara Dharaṇam Eka Radhanam

Dhivipathinutham  - praised by Indhra (lord of skies)
 Pādha Sarasijam- one having lotus-like feet;
Marakathanibham  - shining like emerald;
Madhakari mukham - having the face of a proud elephant;
Praṇavaninādham - sounding of Om;
Ajitham - the unvanquished;
Anagham - the sinless;
Śhubhadham - giver of benefits

Paramam – supreme;
Kanakāmbara - golden garments;

Dhhara- wearing;

 Eka Radhanam - having one tusk

I meditate on Gaṇapathi, who is:

Joyously dancing; always in bliss; whose form is pure consciousness who lives in the Mūlādhhāra chakra and who is the form of Om, the elephant faced one; the great; praised by the joyful hordes of kings of sages; residing always in the heart of Śhiva; sung by the best of Gandharvas and Chāraṇas ;along with strings (of vīṇā) and percussion; who is the wish-fulfilling tree to the needy; who shines with an incomparable divine body; the resplendent one; who is peerless; one who honours devotees who sing (his praises);praised by Indhra (lord of skies); one having lotus-like feet; shining like emerald; having the face of a proud elephant; sounding of Om; the unvanquished; the sinless giver of benefit; the great one; wearing golden garments; and having one tusk.

Rāga: Pūrvi Kalyāṇi

Thāḷa: Rūpaka
Composer: Nīlakanṭha Sivan
Language: Thamizh (Tamil)

Meaning – Word by word & Overall: Team Ambalam

Alignment, Diacriticals & consequent spelling changes, Language & grammar editing, if any and necessary, of existing meaning: Team Ambalam

Pallavi

Ānandha NaṭamĀḍuvar Thillai

Ambalam Thannil Aḍi Paṇibavark-apajayam Illai

Anupallavi

Thānandham Illādha Rūpan

Thajjam Thakajham Thakajhaṇu Thalāṅgu Thaka Thathingiṇathom

Thalāṅgu Thaka Thathingiṇathom Thaka Dhimi Thaka Thathingiṇathomen
(Ānandha)

Charanam 1

Vanchakam Illādha Aḍiyār Kuvikka Vānavar Munivar ānavar Thuḍikka Chanchala Vizhi
Madhumaiyāl Maḍikkat-Thakkiṭa Tharikiṭa Thongiṭa Dhitthimi Dhimi Taka Thathingiṇa Thakathom
Thakathom Thakathom Thaka Dhimi Thaka Thatingiṇathomen
(Ānandha)

Charanam 2

Bhāgya Muyalagan Mīdhoru Kal Takkip Bhakthar Thozha Matra Otraikkālum Thūkki
Akki Alipporai Melakarar Akki Ambara Nātha Chidhambara Śhambhu Sadhāśhiva Sundhara
Arai Maṇi Sala Salavena Ani Pani Khala Khala Vena
(Ānandha)

Charanam 3

Paḍi Maḍi Jyothi Phalir Phalir Enna Pada Silamboli Ghalīr Ghalīr Enna
Adhi Karai Unḍa Nīlakanṭham Minna

Arapura Hara Śhiva Sundhara Aruḷ Gurupara Śhiva Śhankara
Anḍamum Pinḍamum Āḍida Eṇdhisaiyum Pugazh Pāḍa
(Ānandha)

Meaning:

Pallavi

Ānandha Naṭanam Āḍuvar Thillai

Ambalam Thannil AḍiPaṇibavark-apajayam Illai

Ānandha – Bliss;

Naṭanam – Dance;

Āḍuvar – Doing;

Thillai - Temple

Ambalam - temple; stage of performance;

Thannil – in;

Aḍipaṇibavar – those who salute the feet;

Apajayam – defeat;

Illai – is not there;

There is no defeat for the person who salutes the feet of Lord Naṭarājā, who dances in the temple at Thillai.

Anupallavi

Thānandham Illādha Rūpan Thajjam Thakajham Thakajhaṇu Thalāṅgu Thaka Thathingiṇathom Thalāṅgu Thaka Thathingiṇathom Thaka Dhimi Thaka Thathingiṇathomen

Thānandham – without life & death;

Illādha – not having;

Rūpan – form;

Thajjam …….: dance syllables;

He, who has a form without life and death dances for the syllables thajham thakajham……..

Charaṇam 1

Vanchakam Illādha Aḍiyār Kuvikka Vānavar Munivar ānavar Thuḍikka Chanchala Vizhi
Madhumaiyāl Maḍikkat-Thakkiṭa Tharikiṭa Thongiṭa Dhitthimi Dhimi Taka Thathingiṇa Thakathom
Thakathom Thakathom Thaka Dhimi Thaka Thatingiṇathomen

Vanchakam – treachery;

Illādha – not having; 

Aḍiyār – devotees;

Kuvikka – heap upon

Vānavar – celestial beings;

Munivar – sages;

ānavar – those who have become;

Thuḍikka – in anticipation;

Chanchala – roving;  Vizhi-eye;
Madhumaiyāl – in;

Maḍikka – fold;-

Thakkiṭa etc – the beats for dance.

As the devotees, the celestial beings and sages wait in anticipation- all with their roving eyes folded in , He dances to the syllables thakkiṭa etc.,

Charaṇam 2

Bhāgya Muyalagan Mīdhoru Kal Takkip Bhakthar Thozha Matra Otraikkālum Thūkki
Akki Alipporai Melakarar Akki Ambara Nātha Chidhambara Śhambhu Sadhāśhiva Sundhara
Arai Maṇi Sala Salavena Ani Pani Khala Khala Vena

Bhāgya – Lucky;

Muyalagan – Another name of Śhiva

Mīdhoru – on;

Bhakthar – devotees;

Thozha – worship;

Matra – the other;

Otrai – one;

kālum – the leg; 

Thūkki – having lifted;
Akki  - Alipporai

Ambara – sky;

Nātha – Lord of;

Chidhambara – the place named Chidhambaram;

Śhambhu Sadāśhiva - both words mean auspiciousness;

Sundhara – the handsome one;
Arai – hip;

Maṇi – bell;

Sala Salavena – the sound of the hip ornament.

Anipani – jewels;

Khala Khala Vena – the sound of the jewels.

In that place called Chidhambaram, of which he is the Lord, the auspicious, handsome and giver of luck, Śhiva dances lifting one leg high up to the sky, as the bells in his waistband and other jewels tinkle; the devotees continue to worship him.

Charaṇam 3

Paḍhi Maḍhi Jyothi Phalir Phalir Enna Pada Silamboli Ghalīr Ghalīr Enna
Adhi Karai Unḍa Nīlakanṭam Minna Arapura Hara Śhiva Sundhara Aruḷ Gurupara Śhiva Śhankara
Anḍamum Pinḍamum Āḍida Eṇdhisaiyum Pugazh Pāḍa

Paḍi Maḍi Jyothi – light;

 Phalir Phalir Enna – the brightness of light;

Pada – the feet;

Silambu - the anklets;

oli - sound of;

Ghalīr Ghalīr Enna – the sound made by the anklets
Adi Karai – poison;

Unḍa – the one who consumed;

Nīlakanṭham – the blue throat;

Minna – shines;

Arapura – the city of demons;

Hara – the destroyer;

Śhiva – the auspicious one;

Sundhara – the handsome one;

Aruḷ  - blessings;

Gurupara – the best of teachers;

Śhiva Śhankara - both words mean auspiciousness;

Anḍamum Pinḍamum- all the worlds;

Āḍidha – shaking;

Eṇ – eight; disaiyum- directions;

Pugazh – praise;

Pāḍa - singing

The light of the Lord was very bright and His anklets made loud noises; the auspicious, handsome, best of teachers, destroyer of the city of demons, Śhiva’s throat, blue because he consumed poison, shone and as the worlds shook and the eight directions sang His praises, He danced.

Rāga: Kedhāram

Thāḷa: Miśhrachāpu

Composer: Muthuswāmi Dhikṣhithar

Language: Sanskrit

Meanings – Word by word & overall: Sahityam.Net

Alignment, Diacriticals & consequent spelling changes, Language & grammar editing, if any and necessary, of existing meaning: Team Ambalam

Pallavi

Ānandha Naṭana Prakāśham Chithsabheśham
Āśhrayāmi Śhiva Kāma Vallīśham

Anupallavi

Bhānu Kōṭi Kōṭi Sankāśham

Bhukthi Mukthi Pradha Dhaharākāśham
Dhīna Jana Samrakṣhaṇa Chaṇam
(Madhyama Kāla Sāhithyam)
Dhivya Pathañjali Vyāghra Pādha-
Darśhitha kuñchithābja Charaṇam

Charanam

Śhīthāṃśu Gaṅgā Dhharam Nīla Kandharam
Śhrī Kēdhārādhi Kṣhēthrādhāram
Bhūthēśham Śhārdhūla Charmāmbaram Chidhambaram
Bhū-Sura Thri-Sahasra Munīśhvaram Viśhvēśhvaram
Navanītha Hṛdhayaṃ Sadhaya guru Guha Thātham
Ādhyaṃ Vēdha Vēdhyaṃ Vītha Rāgiṇaṃ
Apramēyādhvaitha Prathipādhyaṃ
Saṅgītha Vādhya Vinodha Thāṇḍava -
Jātha Bahu-Thāra Bhedha Chodhyam

śītāṃśu gaṅgā dharaṃ nīla kandharaṃ
śrī kēdāra-ādi kṣētra-ādhāram
bhūta-īśaṃ śārdūla carma-ambaraṃ cid-ambaraṃ
bhū-sura tri-sahasra muni-īśvaraṃ viśva-īśvaram
navanīta hṛdayaṃ sadaya guru guha tātaṃ
ādyaṃ vēda vēdyaṃ vīta rāgiṇaṃ
apramēya-advaita pratipādyaṃ
saṅgīta vādya vinōda tāṇḍava -
jāta bahu-tara bhēda cōdyam

Pallavi

Ānandha Naṭana Prakāśham Chithsabheśhamm
Āśhrayāmi Śhiva Kāma Vallīśham

Ānandha - Blissful
Naṭana - Dance
Prakāśham - Displays/Shines Forth
Chithsabheśha - The Lord Of The Stage Of Cit Or Consciousness
Āśhrayāmi - I Worship
Śhiva Kāma Vallīśham - Lord Of Śhiva Kāmavallī, the deity at Chithambaram - delightful-dance-is done shelter me-oh!

Anupallavi

Bhānu Koṭi Koṭi Sankāśham

Bhukthi Mukthi Pradha Dhaharākāśham
Dhīna Jana Samrakṣhaṇa Chaṇam
(Madhyama Kāla Sāhithyam)
Dhivya Pathañjali Vyāghra Pādha-
Darśhitha kuñchithābja Charaṇam

Bhānu - Sun
Koṭi - Crores
Sankāśham - Brightness
Bhukthi - Enjoyment or material wealth
Mukthi - Liberation
Pradha - Giving
Dhaharākāśham - The space within one's heart
Dhīna Jana - The Helpless
Samrakṣhaṇa - Protect
Chaṇam - Expert
Dhivya Pathañjali - Sage Patanjali
Vyāghra Pādha - Sage Vyāghra Pādha
Darśhitha - Show
Kuñchithābja Charaṇam - Lotus Feet

Like a thousand suns coming together with another thousand (that bright) the bestowed of devotion and salvation, the one who has the sky as his body the protector of humble men the one with the lotus feet-seen by great sages like Pathañjali and Vyāghra Pādha.

Note: Pathañjali and Vyāghra Pādha were two sages that worshipped the god at Chidhambaram and the lord promised them the darśhan of his raised feet. Vyāghra Pādha is named so because of the boon he obtained asking for a tiger's feet so he could climb trees and pluck the freshest of flowers for worship. Pathañjali is considered an incarnation of Ādhiśheṣha and an expert in grammar.

Charaṇam

Jātha Bahu-Thara Bhedha Chodyam

Śhītāṃśu - the cool rayed moon Śhītāṃśu Gaṅgā Dhharam Nīla Kandharam
Śhrī Kēdhārādhi Kṣhēthrādhāram
Bhūthēśham Śhārdhūla Charmāmbaram Chidhambaram
Bhū-Sura Thri-Sahasra Munīśhvaram Viśhvēśhvaram
Navanītha Hṛdhayaṃ Sadhaya guru Guha Thātham
Ādhyaṃ Vēdha Vēdhyaṃ Vītha Rāgiṇaṃ
Aprameyādhvaitha Pratipādhyaṃ
Saṅgītha Vādhya Vinodha Thāṇḍava

Gaṅgā - gaṅges
Dhharam - wearer
Nīla kandharam - blue necked
Śhrī kēdhārādhi kṣhēthrādhāram
Bhūtēśham - the lord of the Bhūtas or the lord of sentient beings
Śhārdhūla - Tiger
Bhū-Sura Thri-Sahasra Munīśhvaram - Lord of the three thousand dikshitas of Chidambaram
Viśhvēśhvaram - Lord of the universe
Navanītha - butter (ie., melting like the butter at the plea of devotees)
Hṛdhayaṃ - heart
Sadhaya guru Guha Thātham - father
Ādhyaṃ Vēdha - The first or the primordial Vēdha
Vēdhyaṃ -knower
Vītha - without
Rāgiṇaṃ - desires
Aprameya - one beyond measure
Ādhvaitha Pratipādhyaṃ- the representation of monism
Saṅgītha Vādhya - music and instruments
Vinodha Thāṇḍava - beautiful (novel) dance
Jātha – knower
Bahu-Thara Bhedha - varieties

Chodyam - answers

The one holding the soothing Gaṅgā, the one with the poison holding blue throat
The very foundation of areas like the auspicious Kēdhārā- Lord of Bhūtās, the one with the skin of tiger on his body-the one whose chittham (consciousness) is vast like space itself. The king of the three thousand gods and sages of the earth, the lord of the world but with the heart like butter, The primordial one and the father of the universe and one who knows the Vēdhas, the one who is away from all sins, incomparable, the cornerstone of Ādhvaitham, the one who knows the answers and the many different kinds of arts like music, instruments and the amusing Thāṇḍava (dance)