Learn Pancharatna Kritis on Veena

After completing the foundation level, this course helps you move into real Carnatic repertoire through the five Pancharatna Kritis of Tyagaraja. You will begin by refreshing essential basics - shruti, tala, and veena fingering, so the kritis can be learned comfortably without strain or confusion.

Revising the Fundamentals

Before entering the kritis, the teacher first helps you to settle into the basics so you can learn comfortably without struggling later. 

This includes playing along with the tanpura to make sure shruti is steady, revisiting tala keeping with simple patterns, and refreshing key veena techniques needed for this level. 

The focus here is on gamakas, fingering, and right-hand clarity, with an additional emphasis on phrasing in a way that feels musical and connected. This short preparatory stage ensures the learner enters the actual compositions with confidence.

Introduction to the Panchakarma Kritis

Once the basics feel stable, the teacher introduces the world behind the Pancharatna Kritis - who Tyagaraja was, why these compositions hold such an important place in the Carnatic tradition, and why they are still performed with such devotion and respect at the Tyagaraja Aradhana festival. 

Students learn the names of the five kritis, the ragas, the talas, and also the typical learning order. This gives students context and makes them feel connected to what they are about to learn, rather than just memorizing notes.

Raga and Tala

Before teaching each composition line-by-line, the teacher takes time to familiarize the student with the raga and tala of that kriti. 

The learner practices characteristic phrases of the raga, listens to recordings, and gets used to how the raga moves. 

They also become comfortable with the tala cycle so that when they begin learning the kriti, the rhythm does not become a distraction. 

This stage sets a strong musical foundation and improves the learner’s ability to appreciate the kriti as a whole.

Learn the Pancharatna Kritis

Each kriti is then taught in parts - starting with the pallavi, then the anupallavi, and finally the charanams. 

The teacher introduces the musical lines slowly and clearly, allowing the student to first grasp the sahitya and melody together. 

As the student becomes more comfortable, the teacher introduces sangatis and gradual variations, helping the learner understand how the music develops instead of just copying notes. 

Throughout this stage, the teacher guides phrasing, gamakas, tala alignment, and the musical flow that gives these compositions their distinctive beauty.

After all the sections are learned, the focus shifts to putting the entire kriti together smoothly. Students practice playing from start to finish without interruptions, maintaining the tala cycle throughout and keeping the phrasing intact. 

About the Teacher

Subhashini Neelamegam is a distinguished Carnatic Veena artist, educator, and researcher with over 15 years of experience in performance and teaching. She holds an M.Phil. and M.Music in Veena from Annamalai University, where she successfully presented a thesis on the legendary Veena Vidwan Pitchumani Iyer and his contributions to the art form.

She has trained under some of the most renowned Vainikas and senior Gurus, including Dr. Suma Sudhindra, Vidhushi Pushpa Kashinath, and Vidhwan V.G. Subramanian. Additionally, she received Carnatic vocal training from esteemed disciples of Alathoor Srinivasa Iyer and Vidhushi Neela Ramgopal. Her passion for the arts also led her to pursue Bharatanatyam training.

Subhashini has showcased her artistry at some of the most prestigious venues in India, including:

• Sree Ramaseva Mandali (as part of the 75 Veena Ensemble led by her Guru Dr. Suma Sudhindra)

• Chowdaiah Memorial Hall (25 Veena Ensemble with Dr. Suma Sudhindra)

• Bangalore Gayana Samaj (both as a soloist and ensemble artist)

• Bangalore Palace (performance with Vidhushi Pushpa Kashinath)

• Raja Annamalai Puram Ayyappa Temple, Chennai (solo concert)

Her active participation in both individual and group concerts has enriched her musical journey, allowing her to mentor students and lead ensembles.

Subhashini is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. She offers online Carnatic Veena and Vocal lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced-level students. Her teaching approach blends traditional methodology with structured learning, ensuring that students develop technical proficiency, theoretical understanding, and expressive artistry.