Dr.S.Seetha M..Litt  Ph.D
Prof. & Head of the Dept.                                                                  Madras-600 005.
Of Indian Music
University Of Madras. 

       All are aware of Shrimathi D.Pattammal’s  contribution to Carnatic Music. She is an expert and a knowledged professional in the goals and intricacies of Music.  She has learnt music in the conventional manner. She is a blessed artist. It is particularly interesting to note that her compositions and Keerthanas are in various 72 'melaragas', 'PanchamaVarjadhwimaddhyama Ragas' and in rare ragas like, Sallaabham, Rukmaambari, Sukhapaavani etc. Renowned Artists appreciate and sing these songs.

       In her creation,in the book 'RAGAPRAVAHAM',she has compiled the details of “Aroha,avaroha” for 5000 ragas in carnatic music and their equivalent ragas in Hindusthani music. This is useful as a treasure to the artists and research scholars of the ragas.

Shrimati D Pattammal has composed 50 songs in tamil meant exclusively for children, along with notations denoting the swaras and talas in an excellent form. The 'NAVAGRAHA KEERTHANAS' in this book, are composed in the raga 'Keeravani' to enable the children to sing with ease. The aspects to be appreciated in each of these keerthanas are that not only each of the seven swaras in Keeravani i.e Sa,Ri,Ga,Ma,Pa,Da,Ni are the "Graha swaras", but also various tala combinations resulting in the 35 talas are taken into consideration.
For example, in the song praising Sooriyan, the Sun God on Sunday, set to "Tisra Eka talam", having 3 aksharams,
the note 'sa'is the "GRAHASWARA".

Likewise in the song on Chandran on Monday, set to 'Chatusra Eka talam having 4 aksharams,
"Ri" is the "GRAHASWARA";

for Chevvai on Tuesday, set to Tisra Rupakam, having 5 aksharams,"Ga" is the "GRAHASWARA";

for Budhan on Wednesday, set to Tisra Jampa, having 6 aksharams,"Ma" is the "GRAHASWARA";

For Vyaazhan on Thursday, set to Tisra Triputa, having 7 aksharams,"Pa" is the "GRAHASWARA";

For Velli on Friday, set to Tisra Matya, having 8 aksharams,"Da" is the "GRAHASWARA";

For Sani on Saturday, set to Sankeerna Eka, having 9 aksharams,"Ni" is the "GRAHASWARA" set to Sankeerna Eka,

For Rahu set to Tisra Ata talam, having 10 aksharams, Tarasthayi "Sa" is the "GRAHASWARA " and 

For Ketu set to Tisra Druva tala, having 11 aksharams, Tarasthayi "Ri" is the "GRAHASWARA",

It is to be noted that this is a new approach and is highly commendable.

     By teaching these songs to the children, they not only get the benefits of praying to the Navagrahas but also in clarity understand the saptha thalas of Music and the intricacies of distinction in them. Added, they get the knowledge of singing the (Seven Swaras) in the style of “ArohaNa graha” in Keervani raga. These songs deserve appreciation as appealing to the teachers, simple and lucid in style and understandable to all.  Songs  on all the deities of Hinduism can be seen in this book .Good thoughts such as, avoidance of untruth ,speaking pleasant, loving all of  the different religions ,feeling of confidence have found place in these songs .On account of the songs being in attractive rhythms, thisra, chathusra; children on  hearing even once, feel happy and at once sing. It is good for group-singing. 

      Music is the acme of our culture. It is doubtless that this to a large extent contributes to the present-day children community to live with brevity, discipline and togetherness. These songs in lucid style are capable of imbibing our culture in our children. Out of the various songs published ; by the several superior aspects of these songs,  Pattammal  has added to the glory of the entire woman community. I pray to the almighty that her service to music should further continue.

                                                                                          Su.Seetha.