Kathanakuthuhalam radiates joy and exuberance. It is an unusual raga in the Carnatic system full of unexpected twists and turns in its gait, its tonal sentences almost conveying the groove and liveliness of a western major scale. Aruna Sairam performs ‘Kathanakuthuhala Raga Priye’ in this video – a hymn in Tamil language composed by Mudikondan Venkatrama Iyer (1897-1975).

The tune of this composition follows another popular kriti by Patnam Subramania Iyer (1845-1942), ‘Raghuvamsa Sudhambudhi.’ It describes the valour and powers of Lord Rama, the Hindu King from the Indian epic Ramayana, who has been deified for his godliness. However, this composition is a tribute to Goddess Meenakshi, an incarnate of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.

Sairam’s sparkling rendition is supported by Jyotsna Srikanth on the violin. She captures and intertwines the niravals with Sairam’s voice in a compatible and subtle flow. Patri Satish Kumar (mridangam) and RN Prakash (ghatam) lend rhythmic support in Adi talam in cruising speed with a soulful groove.

Kathanakuthuhalam is a joyful raga; Its movements are unlike others and come with many unexpected twists and turns, making it all the more exciting a melody and well-suited for instruments. It is a derived or janya raga of the 29th Melakarta, Dheerashankarabharanam, of the Carnatic repertoire. The person originally credited for the creation of this raga is Patnam Subramania Iyer. The arohana and avarohana of Kathanakuthuhalam are as follows:

S R₂ M₁ D₂ N₃ G₃ P Ṡ
Ṡ N₃ D₂ P M₁ G₃ R₂ S

Musicians
Aruna Sairam (vocal)
Jyotsna Srikanth (violin)
Patri Satish Kumar (mridangam)
RN Prakash (ghatam)
Priya Parkash (tanpura)

Kriti in Raga Kathanakuthuhalam in Adi talam