When notating long compositions like kritis, varnams, or RTP, proper organization is essential for readability. This guide shows best practices for structuring your notation.
Using Lines to Separate Sections
Use \line() to clearly mark different sections:
\cycle("|4|2|2|")
\beatDuration(4)
\line("Pallavi")
Sw: S R G M , P D N S. , ___ ___ , ___ ___ |
Sh: sa ri ga ma , pa dha ni sa , ___ ___ , ___ ___ ||
\line("Anupallavi")
Sw: S. R. G. M. , P. D. N. S.. , ___ ___ , ___ ___ |
Sh: sa ri ga ma , pa dha ni sa , ___ ___ , ___ ___ ||
\line("Charanam")
Sw: P D S. R. , S. D P M , G M P D , S. ___ |
Sh: pa dha sa ri , sa dha pa ma , ga ma pa dha , sa ___ ||
Separating Swaras and Sahitya
Keep swaras and sahitya clearly aligned and separated:
\cycle("|4|2|2|")
\beatDuration(4)
\line("Pallavi - Swaras")
Sw: S R G M , P M G R , S R G M , P ___ ___ ___ |
\line("Pallavi - Sahitya")
Sh: nin nu ko ri , va ra da nun , nu ko ri , va ___ ___ ___ ||
Multi-Speed Sections
Organize speed variations with clear labels:
\cycle("|4|2|2|")
\beatDuration(4)
\line("Muktayi Swaram - 1st Speed")
S R G M , P D N S. , ___ ___ , ___ ___ |
\line("Muktayi Swaram - 2nd Speed")
SR GM PD NS. , R.S. DP MG RS , ___ ___ ___ ___ , ___ ___ ___ ___ |
\line("Muktayi Swaram - 3rd Speed")
SRG GMP PDN NS.R. , R.S.D DPN PMG GRS , ___ ___ ___ ___ , ___ ___ ___ ___ |
Long Kriti Structure
Example of organizing a complete kriti:
\cycle("|4|2|2|")
\beatDuration(4)
\line("==== PALLAVI ====")
Sw: S R G M , P D N S. , ___ ___ , ___ ___ |
Sh: bro va bha ra ma , moo la ra ma chan , dra ___ , ___ ___ ||
\line("==== ANUPALLAVI ====")
Sw: S. R. G. M. , P. D. N. S.. , ___ ___ , ___ ___ |
Sh: de va de va , ja ya ja ya , ___ ___ , ___ ___ ||
\line("==== CHARANAM 1 ====")
Sw: P D S. R. , S. D P M , G R S ___ , ___ ___ ___ ___ |
Sh: ka ru na ni dhi , ra ma bha dra , nin ne ___ , ___ ___ ___ ___ ||
\line("==== CHARANAM 2 ====")
Sw: S R G M , P M G R , S R G M , P ___ ___ ___ |
Sh: sa da sa dhi ya , tya ga ra ja , vi nu ta , ra ___ ___ ___ ||
Using Comments for Annotations
Add performance notes or reminders:
Organizing Repetitions
Clearly mark repeated sections:
\cycle("|4|2|2|")
\beatDuration(4)
\line("Pallavi [Repeat 2x]")
Sw: S R G M , P D N S. , ___ ___ , ___ ___ ||
\line("Anupallavi")
Sw: S. R. G. M. , P. D. N. S.. , ___ ___ , ___ ___ ||
\line("[Return to Pallavi]")
Breaking Long Phrases
Use multiple lines for very long swara patterns:
\cycle("|4|2|2|")
\beatDuration(4)
\line("Extended Swaram - Part 1")
SR GM PD NS. , R.S. DP MG RS , SR GM PD NS. , R.S. DP MG RS |
\line("Extended Swaram - Part 2")
S.R. G.M. P.D. N.S.. , R..S.. D..N.. P..D.. M..P.. , G..M.. R..G.. S..R.. ___ , ___ ___ ___ ___ |
Organizing by Tala Avartanams
Mark each tala cycle clearly:
\cycle("|4|2|2|")
\beatDuration(4)
\line("Avartanam 1")
S R G M , P D N S. , ___ ___ , ___ ___ |
\line("Avartanam 2")
S. R. G. M. , P. D. N. S.. , ___ ___ , ___ ___ |
\line("Avartanam 3")
S.. D.. N.. S.. , P. M. G. R. , S. ___ ___ , ___ ___ ___ ||
Best Practices
- Consistent naming - Use clear, consistent section names (Pallavi, Anupallavi, Charanam)
- Visual separation - Use
\line() liberally to separate sections
- Alignment - Keep swaras and sahitya aligned on the same beats
- Speed markers - Always label speed changes (1st, 2nd, 3rd speed)
- Tala markers - Use
| and || to mark avartanam boundaries
- Whitespace - Don't be afraid of empty space for readability
- Comments - Add performance notes where helpful
- Logical grouping - Group related phrases together
Template for a Complete Composition
\cycle("|4|2|2|")
\beatDuration(4)
\accidentals() // Add accidentals if needed
\line("==== PALLAVI ====")
Sw: // Add swaras
Sh: // Add sahitya
\line("==== ANUPALLAVI ====")
Sw: // Add swaras
Sh: // Add sahitya
\line("==== CHARANAM 1 ====")
Sw: // Add swaras
Sh: // Add sahitya
\line("==== SWARAM SECTION ====")
\line("1st Speed")
// Add swarams
\line("2nd Speed")
// Add swarams
See Also
