Geetham is a simple and beginner-level musical composition, combining melody, Tala, and lyrics. They were created by Purandara Daasa. Composed in the first or second speed and usually with common Talas, there are two main types of Geetham: samanya and lakshana. Start by singing the swaras, then add the lyrics. Pay close attention to pronouncing the lyrics properly while you sing. When you are comfortable with these, you can add Tala.
Geethams often include syllables or mnemonic phrases that help students remember the melodic patterns and rhythm. These syllables are known as "sahitya", and they are important for vocal and rhythmic practice.
Composer: Purandara Dasa
Ragam - Malahari (derived from 15th Melakartha ragam, which is Mayamalavagowla)
Thalam - Rupaka, Chathurashra Jathi (O I4)
Aarohanam: S R1 M1 P D1 Ś || (Western Notes: C C# F G G# C)
Avarohanam: Ś D1 P M1 G2 R1 S || (Western Notes: C G# G F E C# C)
Swram with Sahithyam:
Practice - G# Scale (Female voice) - Swaram - C Scale (Male voice) - Sahithyam - C Scale (Male voice) - Video
M1 P | D1 Ṡ Ṡ Ṙ1 || Ṙ1 Ṡ | D1 P M1 P ||
Sree - | ga na na tha || sin dhu | - ra var na ||
R1 M1 | P D1 M1 P || D1 P | M1 G2 R1 S ||
Ka ru | na sa ga ra || ka ri | va dha - na ||
S R1 | M1 , G2 R1 || S R1 | G2 R1 S , ||
Lam - | bo - dha ra || La ku | mi ka ra - ||
R1 M1 | P D1 M1 P || D1 P | M1 G2 R1 S ||
Am - | ba - su tha || a ma | ra vi nu tha ||
S R1 | M1 , G2 R1 || S R1 | G2 R1 S , ||
Lam - | bo - dha ra || La ku | mi ka ra - ||
[2]
M1 P | D1 Ṡ Ṡ Ṙ1 || Ṙ1 Ṡ | D1 P M1 P ||
Sid dha | cha - ra na || ga na | se - vi tha ||
R1 M1 | P D1 M1 P || D1 P | M1 G2 R1 S ||
Si dhi | vi na ya ka || the - | na mo na mo ||
S R1 | M1 , G2 R1 || S R1 | G2 R1 S , ||
Lam - | bo - dha ra || La ku | mi ka ra - ||
[3]
M1 P | D1 Ṡ Ṡ Ṙ1 || Ṙ1 Ṡ | D1 P M1 P ||
Sa ka | la vid ya - || A di | poo - ji tha ||
R1 M1 | P D1 M1 P || D1 P | M1 G2 R1 S ||
Sa - | rvo - tha ma || the - | na mo na mo ||
S R1 | M1 , G2 R1 || S R1 | G2 R1 S , ||
Lam - | bo - dha ra || La ku | mi ka ra - ||
R1 M1 | P D1 M1 P || D1 P | M1 G2 R1 S ||
Am - | ba - su tha || a ma | ra vi nu tha ||
S R1 | M1 , G2 R1 || S R1 | G2 R1 S , ||
Lam - | bo - dha ra || La ku | mi ka ra - ||
Composer: Purandara Dasa
Ragam - Malahari (derived from 15th Melakartha ragam, which is Mayamalavagowla)
Thalam - Rupaka, Chathurashra Jathi (O I4)
Aarohanam: S R1 M1 P D1 Ś || (Western Notes: C C# F G G# C)
Avarohanam: Ś D1 P M1 G2 R1 S || (Western Notes: C G# G F E C# C)
Swram with Sahithyam:
Practice - G# Scale (Female voice) - Swaram - C Scale (Male voice) - Sahithyam - C Scale (Male voice) - Video
D P | M G R S || R M | P D M P ||
Kun dha | Gou – – ra || Gou – | Ri – va ra ||
D Ṙ | Ṙ Ṡ D P || D P | M G R S ||
Man - | dhi ra - ya || ma – | na ma ku ta ||
S , | R , R , || D P | M G R S ||
Man – | dha – ra – || ku su | ma – ka ra ||
S R | M , G R || S R | G R S , ||
Ma ka | ran – dham – || va – | si thu va – ||
[2]
D P | M G R S || R M | P D M P ||
He ma | ku – – ta || sim – | ha – sa na ||
D Ṙ | Ṙ Ṡ D P || D P | M G R S ||
Vi ru | pa – – ksha|| ka ru | na – ka ra || (Mandhara)
[3]
D P | M G R S || R M | P D M P ||
Chan dha| ma – – ma || man – | dha – ki ni ||
D Ṙ | Ṙ Ṡ D P || D P | M G R S ||
Man – | dhi ra - ya || ma – | na ma ku ta || (Mandhara)
Composer: Purandara Dasa
Ragam - Malahari (derived from 15th Melakartha ragam, which is Mayamalavagowla)
Thalam - Triputa, Thisra Jathi (I3 O O)
Aarohanam: S R1 M1 P D1 Ś || (Western Notes: C C# F G G# C)
Avarohanam: Ś D1 P M1 G2 R1 S || (Western Notes: C G# G F E C# C)
Swram with Sahithyam:
Practice - G# Scale (Female voice) - Swaram - C Scale (Male voice) - Sahithyam - C Scale (Male voice) - Video
R1 S Ḍ1 | S , | S , || M1 G2 R1 | M1 M1 | P , ||
Pa dhu ma | na – | bha – || pa ra ma | pu ru | sha – ||
S D1 , | D1 P | M1 P || D1 D1 P | M1 G2 | R1 S ||
Pa ram – | jyo – | – thi || swa ru – | pa – | – – ||
R1 S Ḍ1 | S , | S , || M1 G2 R1 | M1 M1 | P , ||
vi dhu ra | van – | dhya – || vi ma la | cha ri | tha – ||
S D1 , | D1 P | M1 P || D1 D1 P | M1 G2 | R1 S ||
vi hang - | ga – | – dhi || ro – ha | na – | – – ||
P M1 P | D1 Ṡ | D1 Ṡ || Ṙ Ṡ D1 | D1 Ṡ | D1 P ||
U dha dhi | ni va | – sa || u ra ga | sha ya | – na ||
D1 D1 P | P , | P M1 || R1 M1 M1 | P , | P , ||
u – nna | tho – | nna tha || ma hi – | ma – | – – ||
D1 D1 P | P , | P M1 || R1 , M1 | M1 G2 | R1 S ||
Ya dhu ku | lo – | ttha ma || ye – gna | ra – | ksha ka ||
S , S | D1 D1 | D1 P || P , P | M1 G2 | R1 S ||
A – gna | si – | ksha ka || Ra – ma | na – | – ma ||
[2]
D1 Ṡ , | D1 P | M1 P || D1 D1 P | M1 G2 | R1 S ||
Vi bhee – | sha na | pa – || la ka – | na mo | na mo ||
D1 Ṡ , | D1 P | M1 P || D1 D1 P | M1 G2 | R1 S ||
I bha – | va ra | dha – || ya ka – | na mo | na mo ||
P M1 P | D1 Ṡ | D1 Ṡ || Ṙ Ṡ D1 | D1 Ṡ | D1 P ||
Su bha – | pra dha | su ma || no – ra | tha – | – su ||
D1 D1 P | P , | P M1 || R1 M1 M1 | P , | P , ||
re - ndhra | ma – | no – || ran – ja | na – | – – ||
D1 D1 P | P , | P M1 || R1 , M1 | M1 G2 | R1 S ||
A bhi – | na – | va pu || ran – dha | ra – | – vi ||
S , S | D1 D1 | D1 P || P , P | M1 G2 | R1 S ||
tal – la | bhal – | la re || Ra – ma | na – | – ma ||
Composer: Purandara Dasa
Ragam - Malahari (derived from 15th Melakartha ragam, which is Mayamalavagowla)
Thalam - Triputa, Thisra Jathi (I3 O O)
Aarohanam: S R1 M1 P D1 Ś || (Western Notes: C C# F G G# C)
Avarohanam: Ś D1 P M1 G2 R1 S || (Western Notes: C G# G F E C# C)
Swram with Sahithyam:
Practice - G# Scale (Female voice) - Swaram - C Scale (Male voice) - Sahithyam - C Scale (Male voice) - Video
D Ṡ Ṡ | D P | M P || D D P | M M | P , ||
Ke re ya | nee – | ra nu || ke re ge | chal – | li – ||
D D Ṡ | D P | M P || D D P | M G | R S ||
Va ra va | pa de | da va || ran – te | ka – | ni ro ||
S R R | S R | S R || D D P | M G | R S ||
Ha ri ya | ka ru | na do || la – da | bha – | gya va ||
D P D | Ṡ , | D P || D D P | M G | R S ||
Ha ri sa | ma – | rpa ne || ma – di | ba du | ki ro ||
S R R | S R | S R || D D P | M G | R S ||
Ha ri ya | ka ru | na do || la – do | bha – | gya a ||
[2]
D Ṡ Ṡ | D P | M P || D D P | M M | P , ||
Sree – pu | ran – | da ra || vi ta la | ra – | ya – ||
D D Ṡ | D P | M P || D D P | M G | R S ||
Cha ra na | ka ma | la va || no – di | ba du | ki ro ||
S R R | S R | S R || D D P | M G | R S ||
Ha ri ya | ka ru | na do || la – da | bha – | gya va ||
D P D | Ṡ , | D P || D D P | M G | R S ||
Ha ri sa | ma – | rpa na || ma – di | ba du | ki ro ||
S R R | S R | S R || D D P | M G | R S ||
Ha ri ya | ka ru | na do || la – da | bha – | gya va ||
Composer: Guru Appayya Dikshita
Ragam - Mohanam (derived from 28th Melakartha ragam, which is Harikambhoji)
Thalam - Rupakam, Chaturasra Jathi (O I4)
Aarohanam: S R2 G2 P D2 Ṡ || (Western Notes: C D E G A C)
Avarohanam: Ṡ D2 P G2 R2 S || (Western Notes: C A G E D C)
Swram with Sahithyam:
Practice - G# Scale (Female voice) - Swaram - C Scale (Male voice) - Sahithyam - C Scale (Male voice) - Video
G2 G2 | P , P , | D2 P || Ṡ , Ṡ , ||
Va ra | vee - na - | Mru du || Pa - ni - ||
Ṙ2 Ṡ | D2 D2 P , | D2 P || G2 G2 R2 , ||
Va na | ru ha Lo - | cha na || Raa - ni - ||
G2 P | D2 Ṡ D2 , | D2 P || G2 G2 R2 , ||
Su ru | chi ra Bam - | bha ra || Ve - ni - ||
G2 G2 | D2 P G2 , | P G2 || G2 R2 S , ||
Su ra | nu tha Kal - | ya - || - - ni - ||
G2 G2 | G2 G2 R2 G2 | P G2 || P , P , ||
Ni ru | pa ma Shu bha | Gu na || Lo - la - ||
G2 G2 | D2 P D2 , | D2 P || Ṡ , Ṡ , ||
Ni ra | tha Ja ya - | Pra da || See - la - ||
D2 Ǵ2 | Ṙ2 Ṙ2 Ṡ Ṡ | D2 Ṡ || D2 D2 D2 P ||
Va ra | da - Pri ya | Ran ga || naa - ya ki ||
G2 P | D2 Ṡ D2 P | D2 P || G2 G2 R2 S ||
Vaa - | nchi tha Pha la | Daa - || - - ya ki ||
S R2 | G2 , G2 , | G2 R2 || P G2 R2 , ||
Sa ra | si - ja - | sa na || Ja na ni - ||
S R2 | S G2 R2 S || G2 R2 || S , S , ||
Ja ya | ja ya ja ya || Ja ya || va - nee - ||
Composer: Purandara Dasa
Ragam - Kalyani (derived from 65th Melakartha ragam, which is Mechakalyāni). Companion Ragam in Hindusthani is Yaman.
Thalam - Triputa, Thisra Jathi (I3 O O)
Aarohanam: S R2 G2 M2 P D2 N2 Ṡ || (Western Notes: C D E G A B C)
Avarohanam: Ṡ N2 D2 P M2 G2 R2 S || (Western Notes: C B A G E D C)
Swram with Sahithyam:
Practice - G# Scale (Female voice) - Swaram - C Scale (Male voice) - Sahithyam - C Scale (Male voice) - Video
Ṡ Ṡ Ṡ | N D | N Ṡ || N D P | D P | M P ||
Ka ma la | ja - | da la || Vi ma la | Su na | ya na ||
G M P | P D | D N || D P M | P G | R S ||
Ka ri Va | ra da | Ka ru || naa - mbu | dhe - | - - ||
Ḍ Ḍ Ḍ | G G | G , || M P , | M G | R S ||
Ka ru na | Sha ra | dhe - || Ka ma - | laa - | - - ||
R , , | S , | , , || G M P | M P | D P ||
Ka - - | ntha - | - - || ke - si | na ra | ka - ||
N D P | D P | M P || G M P | P D | D N ||
su ra vi | bhe - | dha na || va ra dha | ve - | - la ||
D P M | P G | R S || Ḍ Ḍ Ḍ | G G | G , ||
su ra pu | ro - | tha ma || ka ru na | sha ra | dhe - ||
M P , | M G | R S || R , , | S , | , , ||
ka ma - | la - | - - || ka - - | ntha - | - - ||
Composer: Purandara Dasa
Ragam - Suddha Saveri (derived from 29th Melakartha ragam, which is Sankarabharanam)
Thalam - Triputa, Thisra Jathi (I3 O O)
Aarohanam: S R2 M1 P D2 Ṡ || (Western Notes: C D F G A C)
Avarohanam: Ṡ D2 P M1 R2 S || (Western Notes: C A G F D C)
Swram with Sahithyam:
Practice - G# Scale (Female voice) - Swaram - C Scale (Male voice) - Sahithyam - C Scale (Male voice) - Video
Ŕ Ḿ Ŕ | Ŕ Ṡ | D Ṡ || Ṡ , Ṡ | D P | M P ||
A - na | le - | ka ra || vun - ni | po - | la thi ||
D D Ṡ | D , | D P || P M R | D D | D P ||
sa ka la | sha - | sthra pu || ra - na | dhin - | nam - ||
P , P | D D | D P || P , P | M P | D P ||
tha - la | di - | nam - || tha - la | pa ri | ga thu ||
P M R | S R | S R || P M P | S R | S R ||
re - re | a - | - - || a - - | a - | - - ||
P P D | P P | M R || R S R | M , | M , ||
a - - | a - | - - || se - thu | va - | ha - ||
D P D | Ṡ , | Ṡ , || Ŕ Ŕ Ṡ | D P | M P ||
pa ri ga | tham - | nam - || ja ta - | ju - | - ta ||
D D Ṡ | D , | D P || P M R | D D | D P ||
sa ka la | sha - | sthra pu || ra - na | di - | nam - ||
P , P | D D | D P || P , P | M P | D P ||
Tha - la | di - | nam - || tha - la | pa ri | ga thu ||
P M R | S R | S R || P M P | S R | S R ||
re - re | a - | - - || a - - | a - | a - ||
P P D | P P | M R || R S R | M , | M , ||
a - - | a - | - - || se - thu | va - | ha - ||
D P D | Ṡ , | Ṡ , ||
pa ri ga | tham - | nam - ||
Composer: PaiDala Gurumoorti Shaastri
Ragam - Arabhi (derived from 29th Melakartha ragam, which is Dhīraśankarābharaṇam)
Thalam - Triputa, Tishra Jathi (I3 O O)
Aarohanam: S R2 M1 P D2 Ṡ || (Western Notes: C D F G A C)
Avarohanam: Ṡ N3 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S || (Western Notes: C B A G F E D C)
Swram with Sahithyam:
Practice G# Scale (Female voice) -
Practice C Scale (Male voice) -
Swaram -
Sahithyam -
(Sample video:)
Practice - G# Scale (Female voice) - Swaram - C Scale (Male voice) - Sahithyam - C Scale (Male voice) - Video
P , P | M M | P , || M G R | S R | M G ||
Re - re | Shree - | ra - || - - ma | chan - | - - ||
R R S | S D | R S || R , , | R , | S R ||
- - - | - - | - - || ndra - - | - - | Ra ghu ||
M G R | R S | S , || P M M | P , | P , ||
Vam - sha | Ti la | ka - || Ra - gha | ven - | dra - ||
P M P | M G | R R || M G R | S R | S S ||
A - - | - - | - - || a - - | - - | - - ||
S D R | S R | S S || D S , | D D | D P ||
A - - | - - | - - || a - - | Sri tha | ja na ||
P M P | D S | S , || R S R | M G | R R ||
Po - sha | ku - | re - || See - - | tha - | - Ma ||
M G R | M M | P M || P , P | P , | P , ||
no - - | ran - | ja nu || Re - re | Dhee - | ra - ||
P M P | D Ś | Ś Ŕ || Ḿ Ǵ Ŕ | Ś Ŕ | Ś Ś ||
Ra - va | na - | su ra || An - tha | ku - | re - ||
S D Ŕ | Ś Ŕ | Ś Ś || D Ś , | D D | D P ||
A - - | yi ya | yi ya || a - - | yi ya | yi ya ||
P M P | D Ś | Ś , || Ś , Ś | D D | D P ||
A - - | yi ya | re - || Dhee - na | Ja na | Man - ||
P M P | M G | R R ||
daa - ru | Maa - | ma va ||
Composer: Purandara Dasa
Ragam - Saveri (derived from 15th Melakartha ragam, which is Mayamalavagowla)
Thalam - Rupakam, Chaturasra Jathi (O I4)
Aarohanam: S R1 M1 P D1 Ṡ || (Western Notes: C C# F G G# C)
Avarohanam: Ṡ N2 D1 P M1 G2 R1 S || (Western Notes: C B G# G F E C# C)
Swram with Sahithyam:
Practice - G# Scale (Female voice) - Swaram - C Scale (Male voice) - Sahithyam - C Scale (Male voice) - Video
Ḍ1 S | R1 M1 M1 , || M1 G2 | G2 , R1 S ||
Ja na | ka su tha – || ku cha | kum – ku ma ||
G2 , | R1 R1 G2 , || R1 R1 | S Ḍ1 S , ||
Pan – | ki tha la – || ncha nu | re – re – ||
D1 D1 | P M1 P , || P M1 | G2 R1 S R1 ||
Ba li | ha ru re – || kha ga | va – ha na ||
P M1 | G2 R1 R1 M1 || G2 R1 | S , S , ||
Ka – | nchi – pu ri || ni la | ya – – – ||
S R1 | S , Ṇ2 Ḍ1 || S R1 | M1 , G2 R1 ||
Ka ri | ra – ksha ka || bhu ja | vi – kra ma ||
M1 , | P D1 P M1 || P D1 | P , P P ||
Ka – | mi tha pha la || da – | – – ya ka ||
R1 R1 | M1 M1 P , || D1 P | D1 P P M1 ||
Ka ri | va ra dha - || kal – | ya – – na ||
P D1 | Ṡ , N2 D1 || N2 D1 | P D1 M1 , ||
Pe run | de – vi ma || no – | ha ru re – ||
D1 P | P M1 G2 R1 || R1 M1 | G2 R1 S , ||
Ka ri | gi ri ni – || va – | – su re – ||
Composer: Paidala Gurumurti Shastri
Ragam - Kamboji (derived from 28th Melakartha ragam, which is Hari Kambhoji)
Thalam - Adi ie. Chathurashra Jathi Triputa (I4 O O)
Aarohanam: S R2 G2 M1 P D2 Ṡ || (Western Notes: C D E F G A C)
Avarohanam: Ṡ N1 D2 P M1 G2 R2 S || (Western Notes: C B A G E D C)
Swram with Sahithyam:
Practice - G# Scale (Female voice) - Swaram - C Scale (Male voice) - Sahithyam - C Scale (Male voice) - Video
Ṡ , N P | D D | Ṡ , ||
Man - da ra | dha ra | re – ||
D Ṡ Ŕ Ǵ | Ḿ Ǵ | Ǵ Ŕ ||
Mo - ksha mu | ra - | - re ||
Ṡ Ŕ Ṡ Ṡ | N N | D P ||
Dhai - thia ku | la - | ntha ka ||
D D P M | G M | P , ||
Pa - va na | moo - | rthe – ||
G P D Ṡ | N N | D P ||
P da shu bha | re - | – ka ||
D D P P | M G | R S ||
Ma ku ta ma | yu - | – ra ||
G P P D | D Ṡ | Ṡ Ŕ ||
A - - - | a - | – - ||
Ŕ Ṕ Ḿ Ǵ | Ŕ Ǵ | Ŕ Ṡ ||
A - - - | a - | – - ||
Ṡ Ŕ Ṡ Ṡ | N N | D P ||
Dhai - thia ku | la - | ntha ka ||
D D P M | G M | P , ||
Pa - va na | moo - | rthe – ||
G P D Ṡ | N N | D P ||
P da shu bha | re - | – ka ||
D D P P | M G | R S ||
Ma ku ta ma | yu - | – ra ||
Ṡ , N P | D D | Ṡ , ||
Man - da ra | dha ra | re – ||