What’s your favourite kolu song?

It’s that time of the year when colourful kolu dolls adorn homes, an array of sundals is prepared and women bring out their finest silks. But what are festivities without music? As you make your kolu rounds, visit friends and family, and welcome guests into your home this Navaratri, you would want songs and chants to fill the air.

From Muthuswami Dikshitar’s timeless Navavarana kritis, a set of nine compositions in praise of goddess Kamalamba, to Syama Sastri’s evocative Swarajatis dedicated to goddess Kamakshi, there is no dearth of music associated with the festival. Beyond these celebrated works, several Carnatic kritis, Tamil devotional songs and Sanskrit shlokas have become Navaratri staples over the years. Here’s a devotional playlist to accompany your celebrations.

Bhagyada lakshmi baaramma (Purandaradasar, Madhyamavati)

Mahalakshmi jagan matha (Papanasam Sivan, Sankarabharanam)

Sri chakra raja simhasaneswari (Ragamalika)

Naanoru vilaiyattu bommaiya (Papanasam Sivan, Navarasa Kanada)

Saraswathi namostuthe (GNB, Saraswathi & Muthuswami Dikshitar, Arabhi)

Mamavathu Sri Saraswati (Mysore Vasudevachar, Hindolam)

Janani ninnuvina (Subbaraya Sastri, Ritigowla)

Sarojadala netri (Syama Sastri, Sankarabharanam)

Himadri suthe pahimam (Syama Sastri, Kalyani).

As the nine days are dedicated to different forms of Shakti — Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi — apart from these kritis, there are also Sanskrit shlokas are also recited on respective days to venerate them: Mahishasura Mardini Stotram (Durga); Kanakadhara Stotram, and Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (Lakshmi) and Saraswathi Namasthubyam and Yakundhedhu (Saraswathi). Not to miss the Tamil hymn ‘Sakala Kala Valli Malai’, composed in praise of Saraswathi by saint Kumaraguruparar and ‘Mangala Roopini Madhiani Soolini’ dedicated to Kamakshi.

There are also a few Tamil devotional songs including ‘Jaya jaya devi durga devi saranam’ and ‘Chinna chiru penn pole’ that are popular choices. The resonant chants of Lalitha Sahasranamam add to the festive spirit.