In Carnatic music, a Pancharatna Kriti is a masterpiece composition that embodies the essence of the art form. The term "Pancharatna" translates to "five gems," signifying the exceptional beauty and value of these compositions. Typically, a Pancharatna Kriti is a set of five compositions, each written in a different raga, and is considered a benchmark of excellence in music composition.
Balamuralikrishna’s Pancharatna Kritis are not a mere imitation of Tyagaraja’s model. Structurally, they are distinct. While Tyagaraja’s set is thematically unified in its supplication to Rama, Balamuralikrishna’s gems offer a more cosmic and abstract devotion. The five kritis are composed in five different melakarta (parent) ragas, showcasing the spectrum of his melodic innovation: pancharatna kritis by dr m balamuralikrishna
Balamuralikrishna’s answer was poetic: "Tyagaraja is my grandfather. A grandfather is happy when his grandson plays; not when he mimics, but when he innovates. I have not changed a single word; I have changed the atmosphere around the words." In Carnatic music, a Pancharatna Kriti is a