Krtimanimalai : Sri Tyagaraja Svami's Compositions/Padma Varadan. Mumbai,
Vipanci Charitable Trust, 2005, 2 Vols., xiv, 1970 p., (set).
ISBN
81-87723-09-2.
Contents: Vol. I: 1. Preface. 2. Contents at a glance. 3. Diacritical markings. 4. Sri Tyagaraja - life story. 5. The Nada Yogi and mystic. 6. The consummate musician-craftsman. 7. Composition clusters. 8. Notation in Karnataka Sangitam - a perspective. 9. Notation dynamics. 10. Symbols summary and serial index of song titles: i. Symbols summary. ii. Serial index of song titles in volume I. 11. Notation for songs 1 to 337. 12. Reference tables and other indices: i. Melakarta reference table. ii. Ragam - song reference number index for volumes I & II. iii. Alphabetic list of song titles in volumes I & II.
Vol. II: 1. Introduction. 2. Diacritical markings. 3. Notation dynamics - abridged version. 4. Symbols summary and serial index of song titles. 5. Notation for songs 338 - 693. 6. Reference tables and other indices: i. M lakarta reference table. ii. Ragam - song reference number index for volumes I & II. iii. Alphabetic list of song titles in volumes I & II. Appendices: i. Some vignettes of musicology. ii. Katapayadi Sankhya and modal shift of the tonic. iii. Sri RR on Tyagaraja. iv. Saga of a legend - a daughter-disciple's tribute. v. Thus spoke some Sahrdayas. vi. Landmarks in 'Sri RR's publishing career. Glossary.
From the introduction: "Complementing the volume I with its 337 compositions of Saint Tyagaraja in ragas from Melas 1 to 27, is this volume with the balance 356 compositions in ragas from Melas 28 to 72. Both the volumes are adaptations of the original Tamil versions of Sri Krtimanimalai authored by the late Sri Rangaramanuja Ayyangar.
Certain salient aspects of the chapter on notation dynamics, however, seemed relevant as guideposts to decipher equally complex notations here and are presented in an abridged form. Also included is the chapter on diacritical markings to facilitate correct pronunciation of the lyrics and the sahityam.
As in the companion volume, the notation section is preceded by a serial index of songs in this volume. A Melakarta reference chart and the ragawise and alphabetical indices, composite to both volumes, follow later after the notations of compositions.
Notations for the compositions are similarly treated in respect of the headers containing raga laksanam, lyrics in English and Sanskrt, their English translation and detailed notations with rhythm, tempo, built-in value checks, gamaka symbols, svara variants and diacritical markings - the last two in place both in the lyrics and notations.
Included in the appendices section are some Sanskrt verses that highlight the lofty parameters of musicology envisaged by a band of dedicated visionaries. Then follows a brief note on the concept of the modal shift of the tonic and the Katapayadi scheme of raga nomenclature, which yielded the Melakarta bonanza. A couple of 'Sri RR's articles excerpted from the souvenir commemorating his birth centenary throw some more light on the compulsive researcher. The 'Saga of a Legend', again, is a poignant record of the struggles, tribulations and triumphs of an indomitable spirit that steered over nearly seven decades of 'Sri RR's conscious, art-oriented, life. Some objective assessments of the Savant from Sahrdayas (well meaning music aficionados) brings this section to a close along with landmarks in 'Sri RR's publishing career.
A glossary of over a thousand Telugu and Sanskrt words and phrases used in these volumes provides the finale."