Kunda Gaura - Malahari

This is one of the first geetams taught in most Carnatic music classes. It is set in Malahari raga and is in praise of Ganesha. As one of the lines in the song itself suggests Ganesha is worshiped before the start of any new activities or learning. So this song becomes an apt choice for music lessons too. It is said to be composed by Purandara Dasa.

Pallavi:

kunda goura gouree vara

mandiraya mana makuta

mandara kusumakara

makarandam vasithuva

Charanam 1:

hemakuta simhasana

virupaksha karunakara (mandara)

Charanam 2:

chandamama mandagini

mandiraya manamakuta (mandara)

Please note that the charanams follow the same swara pattern as the first two lines of the pallavi making it easy for the student to remember the sequence.

Malahari is a janya raga of 15th Melakarta raga Mayamalavagowla. The scale is as follows:

Arohana: S R₁ M₁ P D₁ Ṡ

Avarohana: Ṡ D₁ P M₁ G₃ R₁ S

For details:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malahari

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malahari