List of compositions by Muthuswami Dikshitar

Updated on Nov 10, 2023

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Muthuswami Dikshitar was a South Indian poet and composer and is one of the Musical Trinity of Carnatic music. His compositions, of which around 500 are commonly known, are noted for their contemplative nature and for capturing the essence of the raga forms through the vainika (veena) style that emphasises gamakas. They are typically in a slower speed (chowka kala). He is also known by his signature name of Guruguha. His compositions are widely sung and played in classical concerts of Carnatic music.

Muthuswami Dikshitar composed many kritis in groups. The following lists describe those groups and compositions that belong to each group.

Maha Gaṇapati Kṛtis

Dīkshitar composed 26 songs in temples of Lord Gaṇeśa in around Tiruvarur.

Kamalamba Navavarna Kritis

Here are the eleven songs in praise of the goddess Kamalamba.

Pancha bhoota sthala linga kritis

These are the 5 songs in praise of Lord Siva as worshiped in the 5 temples dedicated to the manifestation of the 5 elements.

Tiruvarur - Thyagaraja vibhakti Krithis

Muthuswami Dikshitar composed 13 compositions in 8 vibhaktis in praise of Sri Thyagarajeswara at Tiruvayur.

Kanchi - Ekamranatheswra krithis

Deekshitar lived in Kanchi for a few years. During that time, he composed three krithis on EkAmREswara, several krithis on kAmAkshi and a couple on varadarAja swAmi of vishnu kanchi.

Madurai - Madhuramba vibhakti Krithis

Deekshitar visited Madhura for some time and composed two groups of krithis: madhurAmbA vibhakti kritis and mInAkshi dEvi krithis.

Kuzhikkarai - Visweswara / Kala Bhairava Kritis

This set and the following on Annapoorna/Visalakshi are sometimes attributed to Kasi deities erroneously. For example, the Saama kriti 'Annapoorne Visalkshi' refers to her as 'Gartha theertha viharini', a definite attribution to the Gartha theertham at the Kuzhikkarai Viswanatha temple.