Glossary · glossary · 1 min read
Kriti
कृति; Carnatic composition
A kriti is the main composed song form of Carnatic (South Indian classical) music. It has words, a fixed raga (melodic framework), a fixed tala (rhythmic cycle) and named sections.
By SJN, Founder, BeatRootRaga · Reviewed by BRR · Last reviewed 27 Sept 2026
What does kriti mean?
A kriti is the main composed song form of Carnatic (South Indian classical) music. It has words, a fixed raga (melodic framework) and a fixed tala (rhythmic cycle). Its named sections give the song its shape.
- Pallavi: the opening section, which returns as a refrain.
- Anupallavi: the second section, which develops the opening.
- Charanam: a concluding section, usually the longest. A kriti has one or more charanams.
Some kritis add a chittaswaram, a passage of sung notes. The composer's signature word, called the mudra, usually appears in the charanam.
This is a short definition. For the full explanation, visit BeatRootRaga's learning page, Pallavi, anupallavi and charanam.
An example of kriti and where to read more
Vatapi Ganapatim by Muthuswami Dikshitar is an example of a kriti, the main composed song form of Carnatic (South Indian classical) music.
To move from this example to the full explanation, follow the guide to these song sections. That BeatRootRaga learning page explains the pallavi, anupallavi and charanam beyond this short definition and example.
Keep going
- Pallavi, anupallavi and charanam: the three parts of a Carnatic song · In a typical kriti, the main composed song form of Carnatic (South Indian classical) music, the pallavi is the opening section that returns. The anupallavi is the second section, developing the opening, while the charanam is the concluding section and usually the longest.