Kriti
A composed Carnatic song that brings raga, tala and lyrics together.
A kriti is a principal form of Carnatic concert music. Its melodic setting and lyrics provide a foundation for expressive rendering, with sangatis—successive melodic variations—often enriching repeated lines.
Common sections
| Section | What to follow |
|---|---|
| Pallavi | The opening idea and recurring point of return |
| Anupallavi | A following section that develops the music and words |
| Charanam | A later, often longer section, sometimes repeated with different lyrics |
Some kritis omit a separate anupallavi; others include multiple charanams or a faster passage of lyrics called madhyama-kala sahityam.
Examples
Kirtana is a related term with overlapping usage. The section plan of the individual song is more useful than assuming every label guarantees the same form.