Lalitha (raga) explained

Lalitha is a raga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is a janya raga of Mayamalavagowla, the 15th Melakarta raga. It is closely related to Vasantha, as the two share many characteristic prayogas and have similar scales.^[1] Lalitha is often used In Tamil film songs, especially by Ilayaraja who has composed five film songs based on this ragam.

Structure

Lalitha is an asymmetric scale that does not contain panchamam. It is called a shadava raga structure is as follows (see swaras in Carnatic music for details on below notation and terms):

• ārohaṇa :
• avarohaṇa :

This scale uses the notes shadjam, shuddha rishabham, antara gandharam, shuddha madhyamam, shuddha dhaivatham and kakali nishadam.

Popular compositions

Lalitha has ample scope for alapana. This scale has been used by many composers for compositions in classical music. Here are some popular compositions in Lalitha.

• Hiranmayim Lakshmim and Agastiswaram by Muthuswami Dikshitar. Dikshitar also uses it in the ragamalika Sri Vishwanatham Bhaje.
• Nannu brovu Lalitha by Syama Sastri
• Seetamma Mayamma by Thyagaraja (popularly sung in Vasantha, though R Vedavalli and others sing it in Lalitha).
• Natanala Brahmayaku by Annamacharya
• Sri Rajarajeshwareem by Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar

Film Songs

Song	Movie	Composer	Singer
Ithazhil Kathai	Unnal Mudiyum Thambi	Illayaraja	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra
Mathana Mohana	Indru Poi Naalai Vaa		Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
Sengamalam Sirikuthu	Dhavani Kanavugal		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Vanakkuyile Kuyil	Priyanka		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Thirumagal	Vanaja Girija		Arunmozhi

Notes and References

1. Book: Sambamoorthy, Pichu. South Indian Music Series. Indian Music Publishing House. 1938.