The Kamalamba Navavarna Kritis by Shri Muthuswami Dikshitar (1776-1836) are some of the most famous pieces of music in the Carnatic system of Indian classical music. They are treasures which embody not only the technical brilliance of the composer but also offer a peep into the advaitic school of Hindu philosophy and elements of Tantric rituals. They are very elaborate compositions which may be well compared with major symphonies in the Western system.
Kamalamba Navavarna Krithis is a group of compositions on Goddess Kamalamba enshrined in the Thyagarajeshwarar Temple, at Thiruvarur. She is enshrined in a separate shrine inside the temple. She holds an esteemed position as She is seen seated in a different posture altogether. She is seen in deep meditation, placing Her legs one above the other, in a Yogic state.
This song is the invocatory song for the whole set of krithis. This song is composed in Thodi ragam and set to Rupaka thalam.
kamalambike Ashrita kalpalatikE chanDikekamaniyArunAm Sukekaravidhruta Suke mAmava
kamalAsanAdi pujita kamalapade bahuvaradekamalAlaya tirTha vaiBhave karunArnave
sakala loka nAyikE sangIta rasikEsuKhavitva pradAyikE sundari gata mAyikEvikaLEbarA mukti dAna nipuNe aGhaharanEviyadAdi Bhuta kiraNE vinOda caraNE aruNE
sakaLE guruguha karaNE sadASivanthah karaNEakacatathapadi varNE aKhanda Ika rasa purNE