Each Pancharatna kirtana can be said to be equal to 100 songs. One who has practised properly these kirtanas gains laya mastery over singing other kirtanas, swaras neraval and also raga alapana. This can be realised from personal experience. Mahavidwans of an earlier era would not fail to include one of the Pancharatnas either after the varna or as the very first song Even to-day the practice continues. Those who know all the five Pancharatnas command great respect among musicians and rasikas.

Srimathi Sithadevi Chellammaiyar has given beautiful word forward meaning and the gist of the songs, in Tamil and translated in english by Sri G. Badri Narayanan. The summary of the songs. My heartful thanks due to them. I humbly request musicians and the listening public to extend the same patronage as they had done for my earlier books.

**Contents and Sample Pages**