Organizing Long Compositions

Using lines, margins, and layouts effectively for readable notation

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

Anything after // on a line is ignored by the parser, so performance notes and reminders can sit next to the notation they describe rather than in a line title:

\cycle("|4|2|2|") \beatDuration(4) // Slow tempo here, let the gamakas breathe \line("Pallavi") Sw: S [~ R G] M P , [~ P D] N S. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Sh: nin nu ko ri , va ra da , , , , , , , , , , , , , , // Repeat the pallavi twice before moving to the anupallavi

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 - Drawn for you from the cycle, one line at the end of each bar and a double line at the end of the avartanam
  • 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) \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