Indian Karnatic Music- Sri Mutthuswamy Dhikshidar's Kirthanas English (Sri Mutthuswamy Dhikshidar Kirthanas and Navagraha, Panchalinga Sthala Krithies With Notations)

Smt. S. Vijayalakshmi.comes from a traditional music family, very closely associated with the great musical genius Sri Ariyakudi Ramanuja lyangar. Her father was a very good Veena Player. She passed the higher grade exams in 1st class in both Vocal and Veena at the age of 12.

Her Guru Smt. R. Jayalakshmi was a student and senior disciple of Sri Ariyakudi in Vocal and learnt Veena from Karakudi Sambasivalyar.

Even at an earlier age she used to sing in the Margazhi Bajans in Mylapore participated by prominent musicians of those days like Sri Papanasam Sivan and Aadhi Varadhachar. She has been teaching Vocal & Veena for the past 54 years in the classical pani of Sri Ariyakudi dynasty. She has coached many students for different levels of exams, who have passed with bright colours.

She has been regularly taking part in the singing of "Pancharathna krithies" at many Sabhas and institutions during the "Aradhana festivals every year." She is highly proficient in rendering the krithies of Sarvasri Thyagarajar. Muthuswamy Dikshidhar, Syamasastri, Swadhi Thirunal, Papanasam Sivan and other famous composers. Apart from teaching Vocal and Veena, she not only finds time to tend her family but also enthralls audiences with her occasional stage performances whenever called for.

In June 2006 she was honoured by the "TAMBRAS with the title SANGEETHA BHOOSHANAM" for her dedicated service in the field of Camatic Music. She has been bestowed with a fine Lakshiya Skill besides a good Lakshana Gnana.

She has published Theory books in Tamil and English for both Lower and Higher grade Government examinations. Besides these, now she has brought out two books, one on 'Abyasa Gana and other on 108 Krities of Sri Thyagaraja Swamigal.

South Indian Karnatic music is one of the most wonderful Art in the world. After the periods of Karnataka Sangitha Pithamaha of Karnatic music Sri Purandharadhasar,Sri Chinnaiya, Sri Thalappakkam Annamaiya, many Vakgeyakaras have appeared and composed lots of devine and wonderful Krithies in Karnatic music.

Among them were the most prominent and popularly called the Thrimurthies, Sri Thyagaraja swamigal, Sri Muththuswami Dhikshidhar and Sri Syama Sasthrigal. Even now, we are constantly hearing and enjoying the Krithies created by them.

I have brought out some of the most frequently heard and popular devine Krithies, Sung by Sri MuththuswamiDhikshidhar,(viz.,) Navagraha Krithies, some Notes, Samashti charana Krithies, some Krithies, Pancha Linga Sthala Krithies in this publication in English with Notations. I have written about 100 Krithies with 2 Ragamalikas and 10 Notes of Sri Muththuswami Dhikshidhar. I trust these Krithies etc., will be very useful to all music lovers, students and those engaged in the field of teaching.

In this connection I would like to mention that I have also written some publications on Karnatic music like Lower, Higher Thoery books both in Tamil and English, 108 Sri Thyagaraja Kirthanas, Sri Purandhara dhasar Kirthanas- 160 and Swaravali, Varnams with Kirthanas book for AbyasaGana, all in English with Notations.

I seek the blessings of the Almighty to make the people to render and hear these devine Krithies of Sri Muththuswami Dhikshidhar in both vocal and Instrumental music and get devine benefits.

I humbly request all the Music rasikas and elders to bless me and condone the errors if any. I express my sincere and humble respects and gratitude to Prof. Sri. R. V. Krishnan, former Vice Principal of T.N. Govt. Music college and Sangitha rasiga Sri. E. Seshadri,who were instrumental in bringing out this publication for their valuable guidance and help.

**Contents and Sample Pages**