ŚRĪ VAṬUKANĀTHA: A UNIQUE DĪKṢITAR KRTI EXHIBITING THE CONCEPT OF KṢETRAPĀLA

Śrī Vaṭukanātha is a unique composition by Muttuswāmi Dīkṣitar in the rāga Dēvakriya. This composition is set in the Tāl̥a Miśra Cāpu. This kr̥ti is on Śri Vaṭuka Bhairava or Baṭuka Bhairava, one among the fierce form of Lord Śiva. Sanskrit is the medium of language used in this composition. Understanding and analysing the Sangīta and Sāhitya of this distinctive composition is the main goal of this paper. Concept of Vaṭuka Bhairava and Kṣetrapāla, various art traditions related with this theme will also be understood through this work.