| Musical forms are the different types of compositions meant for singing/playing on the various instuments. All compositions have texts which indicate that compositions were originally created for vocal music only. But the compositions are played on instruments also.
Musical forms are of two types:
Those that are intended for practice or the technical group
Those that are intended for performance before an audience in a concert.
Musical Forms - Ashtapathi
In 12th century A.D, Jayadeva wrote a musical play in Sanskrit called Geetha Govindam- a work highly acclaimed by Sanskrit scholars and musicians alike. The play is divided into 12 sections containing 24 songs. Each song contain 8 (Ashta) charanams and are hence called Ashtapathi-s. The Ashtapathis were created before the bifurcation of Indian music into Carnatic and Hindusthani systems. The theme of the play revolves around the union of the individual soul with God. To illustrate this, the relationship of Lord Krishna and Radha as the "lover and the beloved" is used.
Musical Forms - Gita or Gitam
Literally meaning "song", Gitam belongs to the first category i.e composition intended for practice. It is the first composition with lyrics that a beginner learns after completing exercises based on notes. Gitam is a very simple musical paragraph that has no divisions. It is sung in a uniform tempo from the beginning to the end without variations. The melody is simple and outlines the Raga it is based on. The lyrics are in praise of gods and goddesses. It is set to a particular rhythm and for every swara there is a corresponding syllable or a vowel extension in the text.
For eg:
Ma Pa Da Sa Sa Ri
Sri ii Ga na na tha
Musical Forms - Group Kritis
As the name suggests group Kritis are a group of compositions dedicated to a particular deity/deities or composed for a particular occasion etc. The composer has a theme in his mind and the entire group of compositions reflect that theme.
Thyagaraja is a prominent composer of Group Kritis.
1. The Ghana Raga Pancharatnam is considered to be the most scholarly contribution of Thyagaraja to South Indian Music. The five compositions are equated with five gems (Pancha-five, ratnam-gems) owing to their beauty. It was Thyagaraja's practice to sing and beg for food from street to street and Thyagaraja used to sing the Pancharatnam while doing so. All the five compositions are in praise of Lord Rama - the favourite deity of Thyagaraja. Every year scores of musicians and music lover assemble at Thiruvaiyaru- (the place where Thyagaraja passed away) to sing the Pancharatnam in chorus as a homage to the composer.
No. Name of the song Ragam Talam
1. Jagadananda Karaka Nattai Adi
2. Dudukku Gala Gaula Adi
3. Sadinchane Arabhi Adi
4. Kana Kana Ruchira Varali Adi
5. Entaro Mahanu Bhavulu Sri Ragam Adi
Crowds still throng to visit the shrine erected for Thyagaraja at Thiruvaiyaru
2. The Sriranga Pancharatnam by Thyagaraja was composed in praise of Lord Ranganatha (an aspect of Lord Visnu-the preserver of the Universe) presiding at Srirangam.
No. Name of the song Ragam Talam
1. Rajuvedale Todi Roopakam
2. O Ranga Sayi Kambhoji Adi
3. >Jutamu rare Arabhi Roopakam
4. Vinarada na manavi Devagandhari Adi
5. Karuna judavayya Saranga Adi
3. The Sataragaratnamalikai ( Sata -100, raga-musical scale, ratna- gem, Malikai- garland) consists of 100 devotional songs offered by Thyagaraja as a garland to Lord Rama.
Muthuswamy Dikshitar composed the Navagraha Kritis - a group of 9 compositions on nine planets. Out of the nine compositions 7 are dedicated to the 7 principal planets. They are also called Vara Keertanais (Varam-Week) after the 7 days of the week. The remaining two compositions are in praise of the planets Rahu and Ketu.
No. Name of the Planet/Day Name of the song Ragam / Talam
1. Sun/Sunday Suryamurthe Saurashtram / Dhruvam
2. Moon/Monday Chandram Bhaja Asaveri / Matyam
3. Mars/ Tuesday Angarakam Suruti / Roopakam
4. Mercury/ Wednesday Budham asrayami Natakurinji / Jhampai
5. Jupiter/ Thursday Brihaspathe Atana / Triputai
6. Venus/ Friday Sri Sukra Bhagavantam Pharaju / Ata
7. Saturn/Saturday Divakaratanujam Yadukula Kamboji / Ekam
8. Rahu Smaramyaham Ramamanohari / Roopakam
9. Ketu Mahasuram Chamaram / Roopakam
Swathi Thirunal has composed two group Kritis.
The first one is Navaratnamalika. A group of nine Kritis which expound the nine fold path of devotion.
The second one is Navaratri Keertanais. A group of nine compositions meant to be sung during the Navaratri festival- i.e a festival celebrated for nine nights in honour of the three goddesses of wealth, of power and learning. This group of nine compositions has six songs on goddess of learning and three on the goddess of power. | 
