Varnam in Lalitha Ragam

It was about three years ago I think, when I decided to attempt one more varnam after the Bahudari one. My ever enthusiastic mom of course readily agreed again to write the lyrics. This time I asked her to try something different- instead of the usual theistic overtones, I suggested her to write something on the Raga itself, since Lalitha had left an indelible mark on me. It is an epitome of beauty, serenity, tranquil... I can go on and on (Popular songs in this raga : Hiranmayim by Muththuswami Dikshitar; Idhazhil Kadhai Ezhudhum by Ilaiyaraja, Vairamuththu)
For some reason, this song did not see the light of the day all these years- something kept me from recording it. Today, my sister's blog post prompted me to record this!
So its up here now for you to listen and appraise.

(Updated recording with swaram and 2 speeds)



VARNAM
Ragam:Lalitha (SRGMDNS ; SNDMGRS ,janyam of Mayamalavagowla(15))
Talam:Adi
Swaras (tune) :Sindhuja Bhakthavatsalam.
Lyrics: Vijayalakshmi Bhakthavatsalam.

Swaram:

( Notation used: lower case-mandra sthaayi, upper case-madhyama sthaayi, upper case bold-thaara sthaayi )

Pallavi:
Ma,D ,MGM DaMa DNSR | SaSN NDMG | MaGR Ga,, ||
MGRN DMDM GMGR SnSR | Sa,, ,,nd | nS,R ,SRG ||

Anupallavi:
SaSa NNDD MDMG MDGa | GMDa MDNi | SRGM DNSa ||
NDNS ,RSR GMR, ,SNS| N,D, MDM, |SNDM GRS,||

Muktaayi Swaram:
dndS nRSG RMGM DDMa | DMGM NDMD |SNDR SNSa ||
SRNS ,RSR G,,M ,GR, | RNDM | ,DMa MGRR ,SnS ||

Charanam :
Ni,, ,NSR SNDa SNDM | Ga,, ,,MD GaMG RGMD ||

Chittai Swarams:
1. Ma,, ,,Ga ,,Ri ,,Ri | Sa,n ,,da | niSR GMaD ||
2. NSRN SDNS NDMM DMGM | GRnS ndnS | RnSR GMMD ||
3.MDNS NDMa ,,Ga ,MaM | GRnS ndnd | mdnS Rni, ||
SRGM ,GRG RGMD ,MGM GMDN ,DMD MDNS ,SND ||
4.SaRN SNDN ,DMD ,MGG | Ma,, ,,,, | ,,,G MDND ||
SaRN SNDN ,DMD ,MGG | Ma,, ,,GM | Da,M DNSR ||
SRGM DMGM RiNS NDNS | SRNS NDNS | RNDM Da,, ||
MDGM ,MGR SRnS ,Snd | ddnS RnSR | GMDN SRGa ||
GMRG MMGR SRNS RSND | MGRS NDMG | RSND NDMD ||

Lyrics:
Pallavi:
mAthE mALavagowLai peRRa magaLE!
lalithE ena nAmam koNdAi

Anupallavi:
rAginiyE ERRam peRRAi sa ri ga ma da ni sa
thayai koNdu iRanginAi sa ni da ma ga ri sa

Charanam:
nin ezhilil en vasam izhanthEnE!

Transaltion:
Pallavi:
Oh lovely damsel,daughter of Mayamalavagowla,
You got to be named Lalitha.

Anupallavi:
Oh Ragini! you ascend as sa ri ga ma da ni sa
Nevertheless, mercifully descend for us; as sa ni da ma ga ri sa.

Charanam:
I lost myself in your beauty!