Kriti: Jalandhara Supeetasthite

Written by my sister Padmini who is continuing her music lessons under the tutelage of Mrs. K.N Vani in Bangalore:

I had just completed learning an interesting krithi in raga Valaji by Harikeshanallur Mutthaiah Bhagavathar called "Jalandhara Supeetasthe". The words in this krithi kept haunting me for quite some time which prompted me to research further on this. The opening word Jalandhara was so strikingly similar to the place in Punjab – Jalandhar. Did this krithi have any connection with this city? Well, may be. My search showed some interesting connections.

Jalandhar is a district in Punjab known for its sports goods industry also has some ancient temples. Legend says that this place was ruled by a daitya raja by name Jalandhar after whom, the city derives its name. There is an ancient temple dedicated to goddess kaali. Apparently, Jalandhar is one of the Shakthi peethas – Sati's right breast is said to have fallen in this place. The goddess in this temple is worshipped as Tripura Malini. May be Mutthaiah Bhagavathar is referring to Goddess Tripura Malini in his krithi on the goddess, though there is no specific mention of Tripura Malini in this krithi.

Another possible connection emerged in my mind with the thought of one of the posture in Hatha yoga called Jalandhara Bhandha. In this yogic posture, the air is blocked in the upper torso. This yogic posture corresponds to the Vishuddha chakra (ref Kundalini yoga). Each chakra in the body is governed by a Devi. Vishuddha chakra is ruled by Shaakini Devi. So, is Mutthaiah Bhagavathar referring to this goddess in his Krithi?

What ever the connection, the Krithi is a very beautiful one and raga Valaji has been expounded very well.