Pannisai - Academy Of Fine Arts (London)

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (LONDON) 

PUBLIC EXAMINATION 

in 

Thirumurai Pannisai 

The Academy’s Music Diploma is recognised by The University of Madras 

for further studies 

Grade 1 to 7 

Syllabus 

Effective from 2009 

Web page: http://www.aofaonline.com/forum 

Email: Academyof.finearts@btinternet.com 

179 Norval Road 

North Wembley 

Middlesex 

HA0 3SX 

Tel: 0208-904 3937 

Tele-fax: 0208-904 5939 

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No part of this syllabus may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, or stored in a database 

or retrieval system, without prior permission of the Academy.



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Syllabus for First Grade 

(Minimum age to sit for exam - 7 years) 

Practical examination only – For Sruti candidates can either use Thambura or 

Sruti Box 

Basic Carnatic Music 

All lessons to be practised in Mayamalavagowla raagam. 

1. Swara Varisai 12 

2. Jantai Varisai 2 

3. Upper Staayi Varisai 3 

4. Thaaddu Varisai 1 

5. Alankaram in Ekam & Rupakam 1 

1-5 to be practised in 3 Kaalams i.e. in 3 degrees of speed 

Thirumurai Payitchi 

Thevaram or 

Composer Thiru Katt Pann Associated Talam 

Thirupadal 

murai alai 

Ragam 

1. Thodudaiya Seviyan Sampanthar One 1 Nattapadai Gambeera 

Nattai 

Rupakam 

2. Pidiyathan Uruvumai Sampanthar Viyazhkurinji Sourashtram Adi 

or Nattapadai or Gambeera 

Nattai 

3. Angamum Vedhamum Sampanthar One 1 Nattapadai Gambeera 

Nattai 

Adi 

4. Maaniner Vizhi Sampanthar Three 3 Kolli Navaroj Misra Chapu 

5. Sottrunai Vedhiyan Appar Four 1 Gandhara Kedhara Adi 

Panjamam Gowla 

6. Pithaa Pirai Soodi Suntharar Seven 1 Inthalam Mayamalava 

Gowla 

Rupakam 

7. Ulagellam Shekizhaar Twelve - Chenthuruthi 

8. Vedha Neri Shekizhaar Twelve - Chenthuruthi 

Thirupugazh – Arunagirinathar 

Erumayil Eri – Ragam: Mohanam or other ragam Talam: Kanda Chapu 

Isaindha Erum - Ragam: Harikambhoji or other ragam Talam: Adi 

NOTE: 

At the practical exam students should submit a list of musical pieces learnt or covered for the grade.



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Syllabus for Second Grade 


Practical: 


1. Saptha Taala Alankarams 7 (to be practised in 3 Kaalams) 

2. Jathiswaram or Swara Pallavi 1 (to be practised in Bilahari or a raga of choice) 

3. Geetam (Tamil) 3 (one of which should be a Lakshana Geetam) 


Thevaram or Composer Thiru Katt Pann Associated Ragam Talam 

Thirupadal 

murai alai 

1. Mandhiramavadhu 

Neeru 

Sampanthar Two 2 Gaantharam Navaroj Rupakam 

2. Mannil Nalla Sampanthar Three 1 Kolli Navaroj Misra 

Chapu 

3. Panninaar Sampanthar Two 2 Pazhanthakka 

Ragam 

Arabhi Adi 

4. Nallaanai Naan Sampanthar Two Ya 2 Inthalam Mayamalavagowlai Rupakam 

5. Geethathai miha 

paadum 

Sampanthar Two Seekamaram Nadhanamakriya Thiripudai 

6. Kootrayinavaaru Appar Four 1 Kolli Navaroj Adi 

7. Naththaar Padai Suntharar Seven 1 Nattapaadai Gambeera Nattai Rupakam 

8. Thiru Nindra Suntharar Seven 1 Kolli 

Kowvanam 

Navaroj Chapu 

9. Pooveru Konum Manikkavasagar Eight - Mohanam - 

10. Aadhiyaai 

Naduvumaagi 

Shekizhaar Twelve - Madhyamavathi - 

11. Idarinum Sampanthar Three Gaandhaara Kedara Gowlai Adi 

Thalarinum 

Panchamam 


Bhakthiyaal – Ragam: Navaroj or other ragam Talam: choose any talam 

Edhirillaadha - Ragam: any raga of choice Talam: choose any talam 

Sight Singing: Candidates should be able to sing (without talam) Swara Korvai (or Arohana- 

Avarohanam) in the ragas: Shankarabharanam, Mohanam and Mayamalavagowla 

Theory: 

1. Names of the seven swaras (saptha swaras). 

2. Names of the twelve swara-staanams. 

3. Names of the Sapta-Taalams with their respective Angams and Symbols and the scheme of 35 

talams.

4. Swarastanams and Arohana Avarohanams for the following Raagas: Mohanam, Boopalam, 

Madhyamavathi, Mayamalavagowla, Shankarabharanam, Nadhanamakriya. 

5. Definitions of Musical terms – i. Sruti ii. Swaram iii. Talam iv. Naaladi mel vaippu 

6. Names with examples of Twelve Thirumurai and Pancha Puranam 

7. Moovar and their respective Thevara Panns 

NOTES: 1. There will be a written theory examination for this grade for one hour. 

2. All students sitting for the practical exams should submit a list of all musical pieces learnt or 

covered for the grade and for the previous grades. 

3. Previous Grades’ syllabuses should be covered when sitting for this grade.



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Syllabus for Third Grade 


Practical: 


1. Swarajati (Tamil) -1 (eg. Pannaga sayananay by Sri TV LakshmiNarasimha, Khamboji - Adi) 

or 

2. Varnam (Tamil) - 1 (to be practised in Arabhi or Kalyani – in 2 kaalams or degree of speed) 

3. Madhyama Kala Kirtana (Tamil) 1 (any raga or tala) 


Thevaram or 

Composer Thiru Katt Pann Associated Talam 

Thirupadal 

murai alai 

Ragam 

1. Parinthu nan 

manathaal 

Sampanthar Three Puraneermai Bhoopalam Adi 

2. Poga Maarththa Sampanthar One 3 Pazhanthakka 

Ragam 

Sudhasaveri Thirupudai 

3. Katraang Kari Sampanthar One 3 Kurinji Harikambhoji Thirupudai 

4. Empiraan Sampanthar Two 1 Seekamaram Nadanamakiriyai Rupakam 

5. Maasil veenai – 

Thirukurundh 

Thokai 

Appar Five - Inthalam Mayamalvagowlai Adi 

6. Mannunda Appar Four Ya 1 Kolli Navaroj Kanda 

chapu 

7. Indai Malar Suntharar Seven Ya 4 Thakkesi Kambhoji Kanda 

Chapu 

8. Aadugindrilai Manikkavasagar Eight - Mohanam - 

9. Kangalirandu Manikkavasagar Eight - Mohanam Adi 

10. Mindu 

Senthanar Nine - Any raga of 

- 

Manaththavar 

choice 

11. Yaavarkkumaam Thirumoolar Ten - Any raga of 

choice 

- 

12 Sendra kaalathin Sekkilazhar twelve - Madhyamavathi - 


siraththanaththit paniyaadhe - Ragam: any raga of choice Talam: choose any talam 

Sight Singing: At the Practical exam, candidates should be able to sing (after 5 minutes practice) Swara 

Sancharangal of panns or ragas found in Grades 1 to 3. 

The Swara Sancharangal will be of 2 swaras for 1 count, Kuril and Nedil Swaras, with Signs and symbols, 

in Adi or Rupaka Talams. (For Sruti: Tampura or Electronic Sruti Box should be used) 

Theory: 

1. Life History of Arulaalargal: i. Thirugnana Sampanthar ii. Thirunavukarasar (Appar) 

iii. Suntharamoorthy Nayanar iv. Mangayatkarasiyaar

2. Pann Lakshanam for the following Panns with Examples: Nattapadai, Inthalam, Kolli, Pazham 

Panjuram, Gaantharam, Pazhanthakka ragam, Gandharaara panchamam. Chenthuruthi, Thakkesi 

3. Definitions of following terms – i. Varnam ii. Thiruviruththam iii. Thirupugazh iv.Thirupuraanam 

v. Keerthanai vi. Swarajati 

NOTES: 

1. There will be a written theory examination for this grade for 90 minutes. 






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Syllabus for Fourth Grade 


Practical: 


1. Madhyama Kala Kirtanam (Tamil) 2 (any raga or tala) 

2. Chouka kala kiratanam (Tamil) 1 


Thevaram or Composer Thiru Katt Pann Associated Talam 

Thirupadal 

murai alai 

Ragam 

1. Maim maru Sampanthar One 3 Nattapadai Gambeera Nattai Adi (tisra 

poongkulal 

gathi) 

2. Needalar sothi Sampanthar One 2 Kurinji Harikambhoji Thiripudai 

3. Ventha venneeru 

aninthu 

Sampanthar One 4 Viyazhakurinji Sowrashtram Adi 

4. Pandu 

naalvarukku 

Sampanthar Two Natta ragam Panthuvarali Aadi 

5. Aravinodahmai Sampanthar Two 3 Gantharam Navaroj Rupakam 

6. Pannin Ner molli Sampanthar Two 2 Seekamaram Nadanamakiriya Misra 

Chapu 

7. Sathi miha 

vantha 

Sampanthar Three 9 Pazhampanchuram Sankarabharanam Adi 

8. Kaathalaahi Sampanthar Three 1 Kowsikam Bhairavi Adi 

(choukam) 

9. Kottame Sampanthar Three - Gaandhaara Kedara Gowlai Misra 

kamzhum 

Panchamam 

chapu 

10. Theerthanai Appar Four - Any raga of Any talam 

Thirukurunthokai 

choice 

of choice 

11. Pathanaai – Appar Four - Kolli Navaroj Chapu 

Thirunerisai 

orwithout 

thalam 

12. Arunthavar - 

Thiruthandakam 

Appar Six - Kurinji Harikambhoji - 

13. Than enai mun 

padaiththaan 

Suntharar Seven - Panchamam Ahiri Rupakam 

14. Thirumaalum Manickavasakar Eight - - Mohanam - 

15. Naiyaatha Karuvurthevar Nine - - Any raga of 

- 

manathinanai 

choice 

16. Siva siva enkilar Thirumoolar Ten - - Any raga of Any tala 

choice 

of choice 

17. Kallaap 

pizhaiyum 

Pattinathar Eleven - - Any ragam - 

18. Thooya venn Sekkilazhar Twelve - - Madhyamavathi -

Kandapuranam 

Moovirumuhangal potri – Ragam: Madhyamavathi 

Thirupaadalkal 

Thanam tharum – Abhiramapattar - Ragam: Any raga of choice 

Kandhar alankaram 

naaL en seyyum – Arunagirinathar - Ragam: any raga of choice 


Madarvasamai - Ragam: any raga of choice Talam: choose any talam 

Iravaamal - Ragam: any raga of choice Talam: choose any talam 




in Adi or Rupaka Talams or chapu talam. 

For Sruti: Tampura or Electronic Sruti Box should be used. 

NOTE: a written Theory examination will be held for Two hours. 

Theory: 

1. Life History of Arulaalargal: i. Thirumoolar ii.Karuvurththevar iii.Arunagirinathar iv. 

Pattinathaar v. Manickavaasagar vi. Sekizhar 

2. Pann Lakshanam for the following Panns with Examples: Natta ragam, Viyazhakurinji, 

Seekamaram, puraneermai, kurinji, Kowsikam. 

3. Definitions of following terms – i. Eeradi melvaipu, ii. Yamakam, iii. Thiruthaandakam 

iv.Thirunerisai, v. Thiruvisaippa, vi. Thirumalaimatru, vii. Panchapuraanam viii. i.Thevaram, 

x.Thiruthandakam, xi. Thiruvirutham, xii. Thirunerisai, 

4. Name the navasanthikal and give the examples of panns that are used for these times. 

5. Describe the parts of the following instrument and how to tune it and its use in pannisai: Mulavam 

(Miruthangam), and thambura. 

NOTES: 

1. There will be a written theory examination for this grade for two hours. 






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Syllabus for Fifth Grade 


Practical: 

1. Any two different varnams of the following 

Jampai tala varnam 

Ata Tala varnam 

Ragamalika varnam 

2. Souka kala kriti (Tamil) 1 

3. Mathyama kala krithi (Tamil) 1 

6. A short raga Alapana and kalpana swarams for a Madyama kala kriti or keerthana is chosen by the 

student in the following ragas Sankarabharanam, Harikambhoji, Panthuvarali, Arabhi, Kambhoji, 

Bhairavi, Kedaragowlai, Madyamavathy. 

Note: Those who have completed grade 5 of Carnatic music will be exempted from the Carnatic 

practical of Thirumuraipannisai 


Thevaram or Composer Thiru Katt Pann Associated 

Thirupadal 

murai alai 

Ragam 

1. Pirai ani padar Sampanthar One 4 Nattapaadai Gambheera 

sadai 

Naatai 

Talam 

Adi 

(Tisram – 

2 speeds) 

2. Panthaththaal Sampanthar One 2 Viyazhakurinji Saurashtram Adi 

3. Naanamudai Sampanthar One 2 Pazhanthakkaragam Sudhasaaveri Thiripudai 

4. Needalar sothi Sampanthar One 2 Kurinji Harikambhoji Thirupudai 

5. Maravam 

pozhilsoola 

Sampanthar Two Gandharam Navaroj - 

6. Aadinai narru Sampanthar Three Ya 2 Gandarapanjamam Kedaaragaula Adi 

7. Sankamaru Sampanthar Three Ya 2 Saadaari Pantuvaraali Rupakam 

8. Paayumaal Sampanthar Three Ya 5 Pazhampanchuram Sankarabharanam Adi 

9. Tharumanal Sampanthar Three 1 Anthaalakurinji Saama Adi 

10. Arunthunai - 



11. Thiruvum 

vanmaiyum 

Suntharar Seven 1 Thakkesi Kambhoji Adi 

12. Engenum 

pohinum 

Suntharar Seven Kurinji Harikambhoji Thiripudai 

13. Meela Adimai Suntharar Seven 1 Senthuruthi Madhyamaavathi Thirupudai 

14. Thaanennai 

mun 

Suntharar Seven Panchamam Aahiri Rupakam 

15. Unarndha Manickavasakar Eight - - Mohanam - 

16. Vellanthazh Manickavasakar Eight - - Mohanam - 

17. Olivalar Thirumaligai Nine - - Any ragam - 

vilakke- 

Thiruvisaippa 

Thevar

18. Mindu Manathavar - 

Thirupallandu 

Senthanaar Nine - Any ragam - 

19. Aindu perrarivu Sekkilazhar twelve - Madhyamavathi - 

20. Endrum Inbam Sekkilazhar twelve - Madhyamavathi - 

Thirupaadalkal – Any three of the following compositions of your choice to be considered for 

submission: 

Kaarittu - Thayumanavar – Ragam: any raga of choice 

Kalaiyatha kalvi – Abhiramapattar – Ragam: any raga of choice 

Thodukkum - Kumarakuruparar – Ragam: any raga of choice 

Thaditha vor - Raamalingha swami – Ragam: any raga of choice 

Aasaikor - Thayumanavar – Ragam: any raga of choice 


Aharamum mahi- Ragam: any raga of choice Talam: choose any talam 

Athalaseda - Ragam: any raga of choice Talam: choose any talam 

Santhatham Pandath – Ragam: any raga of choice Talam: choose any talam 

Panchapuraanam – one set of 5 songs to be sung at the examination. 


Sancharangal of � ans or ragas found in Grades 1 to 5. 


in Adi or Rupaka Talams. (For Sruti: Tampura or Electronic Sruti Box should be used) 

NOTE: a written Theory examination will be held for one and half hour. 

For Sruti: Tampura or Electronic Sruti Box should be used. 

Theory 

1. Life History of Arulaalargal: i. Abhiraamapattar ii. Thaayumaanavar iii. Kumarakuruparar iv. 

Raamalingha swaamigal v. Kaaraikaalammaiyaar. 

2. Pann Lakshanam for the following Panns with Examples: 1. Saadhaari ii. Anthaalakurinji iii. 

Pazhampanchuram iv: Panchamam 

3. Definitions of following terms: i.Sotporulmadakku, ii. Thiruvirukural, iii. Mozhimatru, iv. Thiru 

Ekapadam, v. Thiru Elukootrirukkai 

4. Short notes about the following temples: i. Thiruketheeswaram ii. Thirukonesvaram iii. 

Muneeswaram iv. Thiruthambaleswaram v. Naguleswaram vi. Kathirgamam vii. Nayinai 

Amman 

5. Describe the parts of the following instrument and how to tune it and its use in pannisai: 

i.Nadaswaram ii. Thavil iii. Udukkai, iv. Chendai v. Panchamukha vaadyam



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Syllabus for Sixth Grade 

(Minimum age to sit for exam – 14 years) 

Practical: 

1. Soukka kaala Krithi with multiple sangathis - 1 

2. Madyama kala krithi - 2 

3. Padavarnam (Tamil) - 1 

4. Raaga Aalapana, Niraval and Kalpana swaram for a Tamil Madyama and Chauka kaala Kriti / 

Keerthana set in any ragam associated with pann. Students should be able to handle these sections on their 

own. 

Note: Those who have completed grade 6 of Carnatic music will be exempted from the Carnatic 

practical examination of Thirumuraipannisai 


Thevaram or 

Thirupadal 

1. Thadanila 

viyamalai 

2. Matharmadap 

pidiyum 

Composer Thiru Katt Pann Associated Ragam Talam 

murai alai 

Sampanthar One Ya 7 Nattapaadai Gambhhera naatai Adi (3 

speeds) 

Sampanthar One 1 Yazhmuri Ataana Rupkam 

3. Vandaranga Sampanthar One 1 Pazhanthakkaragam Sudhasaaveri Thirupudai 

4. Seyvuyarun Sampanthar One - Meharagakurinji Nilaambhari Thirupudai 

5. Thondaranju Sampanthar Two Ya 1 Sevvazhi Yadhukulakambhoji Thirupudai 

6. Veedalaala Sampanthar Three 3 Kowsikam Bhairavi Rupakam 

7. Paingkottu Sampanthar Three 1 Panchamam Ahiri Rupakam 

8. Neela vadivar Sampanthar Two Ya 1 Gantharam Navaroj Rupakam 

9. Kohzhai Sampanthar Three Ya Saadaari Pantuvaraali Kanda 

midaraha 

10. Vinninai – 

Thirunerisai 

10 

chaapu 

Appar Four - Kolli Navaroj Chapu or 

without 

thalam 

Appar Four - Kurinji Harikambhoji - 

11. Vaithaanai – 


12. Ondri yirunthu – 

Thiruvirutham 

Appar Four - - Any ragam - 

13. Maanni paal – Appar Five - Inthalam or any Mayamalavagowlai Adi 

Thirukurunthokai 

ragam 

or any ragam 

14. Mangul mathi – 



15. Ariyaanai Appar Six - Kurinji Harikambhoji - 

16. Enge Pohven Suntharar Seven 1 Gantharapanchamam Kedaaragowla Adi 

17. Matru patrena Suntharar Seven 2 Pazhampanchamam Sankarabharanam Misra 

chapu

18. Veyuruthohzhi Sampanthar Two Piyanthai gandaram Navaroj Thiripudai 

19. Neetraarum Suntharar Seven 2 Nattaragam Panthuvaraali Kanda 

chaapu 

20. Nambinaar Suntharar Seven 2 Seekaamaram Nadanamakiriyai Rupakam 

21. Aathiyan aathirai Suntharar Seven 1 Panchamam Ahiri Rupakam

Thirumurai Payitchi (contd.) 

22. Potriy Om 



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Syllabus for Sixth Grade 

(Minimum age to sit for exam – 14 years) 

Manickavasakar Eight - - Mohanam - 

23. 

namasivaya 

Thiruvempavai – Manickavasakar Eight - - Mohanam or 

- 

Annamalaiyaan 

Ragamaligai 

24. Katravar 

vizhunngum - 

Thiruvisaippa 

Senthanaar Nine - - Any ragam - 

25. Mannugathillai – 

Thirupallaandu 

Senthanaar Nine - - Any ragam - 

26. Sivanadiye Sekkilazhar Twelve - - Madhyamavathi - 

Thirupaadalkal 

Mattillaatha sell - Pannirusathakam - Ragam: any raga of choice 

Sivanaar manam- Ragam: any raga of choice 

Senthenai - Ragam: any raga of choice 

Divya Prabhandham 

Thirupaavai-Maarkazhi thingal - Ragam: any raga of choice 

Thiruvaimozhi – Pachchamaamali pohl - Ragam: any raga of choice 

Thirupallaandu – Pallaandu pallandu - Ragam: any raga of choice 


Thamarum amarum - Ragam: any raga of choice Talam: choose any talam 

Paathimathi - Ragam: any raga of choice Talam: choose any talam 

Thirumakazh ulavum - Ragam: any raga of choice Talam: choose any talam 

Panchapuranam – 1 set of 5 songs to be sung in the pannisai tradition 



For Sruti: Electronic or manual Tampura should be used. Student should tune it for their pitch for either 

used. 

Theory: 

1. Life History of Arulaalargal: i. Parana Thevar ii.Illamperumaanadigal iii. Athiraavadikal iv. 

Thiruvennkaatadikal, v. Nakeerar 

2. Pann Lakshanam for the following Panns with Examples: i.Yazhmuri, ii.Sevvazhi, iii.Senthuruthi, 

iv.Meharagakurinji v. Pazhanthakkaragam vi.Seekamaram

3. Describe the following terms in detail – i. Natrperumpann ii. Mullai iii. Paalai iv.Kurinji v. 

Marutham and vi.Sevvazhi 

4. Describe the following with examples: a. All the thevara pans, b. Ragams handled in Thiruvisai 

pa, c. Ragams handled in Thirupallandu 

6. Describe on Perunthanam ettu, kiriyaikal ettu and the use of Pann for these functions. 

7. Write the swara notations and the correspondiong thevaram song with details on its tala and raga 

structure. 

8. i.Describe on thevarams, and their pans, kattalai, Bhetham and Yappu vikarpangal 

ii. Essay on thevaram and the 1-7 thirumurai, thiruvasagam, thiruvisaipa and thirupallandu. 

9. Describe on Pannarangam to include the life history of a Thirumurai composer with suitable 

instruments. 

10. Brief history and importance related to the following temples: 

i. Chithamparam temple 

ii. Thanjavur Brahadeeshwarar temple 

iii. Murugan - Arupadi veedu 

iv. Thirupathy Venkateshwara temple 

v. Sri Rangam – Ranganatha Perumaal temple 

vi. Raameshwaram temple 

vii. Pathmanabha temple in Kerala 

viii. Mathurai Meenakshi temple 

ix. Kaanji Kamakshi temple 

x. Kaasi Vishvanthar temple



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Syllabus for Seventh Grade 

(Minimum requirement – School 6 th form Certificate in NZ ) 

Practical: 

1. Grade 1 to 6 Syllabus will be examined. 

2. Be able to sing the first few lines of the following pann in their kattalai. Examiners can request a 

full kattalia variation to be sung in the following panns: 

i. Nattapadai 

ii. Kurinji 

iii. Thakkaragam 

iv. Viyazhakurinji 

v. Inthalam, 

vi. Sadari 

3. Be able to sing the Navasanthi panns and the traditional way of rendering them. 

4. Be able to sing and explain the following from Thirugnana Sampanthars compositions: 

i. Eeradi 

ii. Eeradimelvaippu 

iii. Naladimelvaippu 

iv. Vazhimozhi 

5. Raaga alapana -Taanam-Pallavi : 

• Rendering a Pallavi in the traditional style in the pann ragas. Raaga Aalapana, 

Taanam and Pallavi in Tri kaala with Tisram, Niraval & Kalpana Swarams and 

anulomam. 

• Candidates should be able to sing kalpana swarams to two Pann Raagas given 

by the examiners. 

• Raaga aalapana of at least three major pann Raagas and three minor pann 

Raagas should be practised. 

• Raagas found in the syllabuses from Grade 2 to Grade 6 should be revised and 

could be used in the practical exam. 

• Thalam, gathibedam, panchanadai and demonstrate how it can be handled with 

the pallavi. 

6. Ragamaligai virutham will need to be sung at the exam for a given composition in the pann 

following ragams. 

7. To be able to sing any three verses of the following padigam’s in their respective panns: 

i. Thiru neetru pathikam 

ii. Namasivaya pathikam – Sampanthar 

iii. Namasivaya pathikam – Appar 

iv. Namasivaya pathikam – Sundarar 

v. Kolleru pathikam 

vi. Idarkallaithat pathigam – Sampanthar (Marai ullaiyai) 

vii. Thiruvasagam –Neethal vinnapathil. 

To be able to sing any one verse of the following padigam’s in their respective panns 

viii. Thiruvempavai-thirupalliyezhuchi, Thiruponnusal 

ix. Thiruppavai and thirupalliyezhuchi by Nachiaar

x. Thiruthaandakam – kshetrakorvai (Appar) 

xi. Divya prabhandham. 

Whole composition of the following: 

xii. Sivapuranam – Manickvaasakar 

8. A song from the candidates choice on any of our Eelathu Sithar, Yogi’s or mahaans. 

A student will be given a Teaching session which will be observed by the examiners for 30 minutes. 

Prior to the examinations three compositions will be requested to be prepared and any one out of three 

composition will be selected by the main examiner to be taught to the student provided. 

Theory 

Part 1: 

1. Grades 1 to 6 syllabus will be examined. 

2. Essays on the following: a. Thirumanthiram, b. Periyapuranam, c.11 th thirumurai, d. Panns and 

kattali beda yappu, e. Arunagirinathar and specialities in his compositions, f. Kumarakurparar and 

specialities in his compositions, g. Thayumanavar and specialities in his compositions, h. 

Abhiramapattar and specialities in his compositions, i. Ramalinga swamigal and specialities in his 

compositions, j. Pillai thamizh prabhandam 

3. Pannisai educational growth. 

4. Importance of Pannisai in Fine arts. 

5. Relationship between Carnatic music and pannisai. 

6. Comparison between Pannisai and Hindustani music. 

7. Comparison between Pannisai and European music 

8. A brief history of Pannisai growth from sanga kalam to date. 

9. A detail essay on the grade 1 to 6 thirumurai pannisai syllabus. 

10. Structure and understaning the structure and architecture of a temple. 

Part 2: 

1. The responsibilities of a teacher in Pannisai. 

2. The importance of rendering the Pannisai songs at the respective places and the benefits of it for a 

society as a whole. 

3. Details on a preparation of a lesson in Pannisai by a teacher for 45 minutes. 

4. The use of audio-visual aids for pannisai. 

5. Teaching methods to improve the sruti, talam problems in students and also the pronunciation. 

6. How does one develop the voice for those who have problems and how does one augment and 

improve it with the use of instruments with pannisai.

References: 

1. Thevara Thirupathihangal – by Prof A S Gnanasambandan, Gangai publishers 

2. Thiruvasagam – by Swami Sidhbhavananthar, Sri Ramakrishna Thapovana publication. 

3. Panniru thirumurai (With explanation) (thirumuRais:1-11, 14 Volumes) - Dharmapuram 

Adhinam 

4. Panniru thirumurai (With explanation) - Vardamanan publishers 

5. Periyapuranam - English translation Vol 1 & 2 - by T N Ramachandran, Thanjavur Tamil 

University 

6. Thirumanthiram (volume 1, 2 and 3) – by Prof G Varatharajan, 

7. 11 th Thriumurai by by Prof A S Gnanasambandan, Gangai publishers 

8. Panniru Thirumurai varalaaru (volume 1 and 2) – by K Vellaivaaranan, Annamalai 

University 

9. Adanganmurai Thevara Thiruppathikangal, Gangai publishers 

10. Yazh nool

Pannisai - Academy Of Fine Arts (London)

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