Swathi Thirunal and Carnatic Music

In the Ramayana, Urmila was Lakshman's wife, while Sita married Ram. Mandavi and Srutikirti were the wives of Bharat and Shatrughna respectively.

This famous verse (Chapter 18, verse 78) is the concluding sloka of the Gita, spoken by Sanjaya. It assures that where there is Krishna (the Lord of Yoga) and Arjuna (the archer), there will be prosperity, victory, and good fortune. It's incorporated into Vishnu Sahasranama.

Irayimman Thampi (1782-1862) was the renowned composer who wrote 'Uttaraswayamvaram' and several other attakathas (Kathakali play texts) in Malayalam. Kalamandalam Keshavan is a dancer, Ramapurathu Warrier wrote 'Vanchipattu', and Unnayi Warrier wrote 'Nalacharitam'.

Swathi Tirunal was called 'Garbha Sreemaan' because it was decided that he would be crowned even while still in his mother's womb. This refers to the decision to make him ruler before birth.

Swathi Tirunal's father was Raja Raja Varma (also known as Kerala Varma), who was the Maharaja of Travancore. Raja Ravi Varma was the famous painter, not the father.

Swathi Tirunal died at the young age of 33 in 1846. Despite his short life, he made significant contributions to music, literature, and administration.

Swathi Tirunal composed 'Kuchelopakhyanam' and 'Ajamilopakhyanam' - both musical works. The other options are works by other composers - Sangita Sampradaya Pradarshini is by Subbarama Dikshitar, Chaturdandi Prakasika is by Venkatamakhin, and Sangita Rasa Manjari is a different work.

Swathi Tirunal used 'Padmanabha', 'Pankhajanabha', and 'Sarasijanabha' as his mudra - all names of Vishnu (his family deity). Maha Vishnu Daasa, Damodara, and Brahmaanda Nayaka were not his mudras.

Swathi Tirunal composed music in approximately 12 languages including Sanskrit, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, and others, showcasing his linguistic versatility.

Swathi Tirunal was versatile and composed in all these musical forms: bhajan, abhang, keerthanam, swarajathi, padam, and javali. His range covered devotional, classical, and lighter forms.

Swathi Tirunal was indeed an expert in Urdu and composed songs in that language. His linguistic prowess extended to Persian and Arabic as well, unusual for South Indian royalty of his time.

During the Navarathri festival at the famed Navarathri Mandapam in Trivandrum, the 'Navarathri Krithis' - a set of nine compositions by Swathi Tirunal - are traditionally sung, one for each day of the festival.

The famous composition 'Vande Sada Padmanabham' is set to the ragam 'Navarasa Kannada', one of the janya ragas derived from the 28th melakarta raga Harikambhoji. The other options are different ragas entirely.