A gentle introduction to Dīkshitar’s songs
Here are two examples of nōttusvaram songs. This was a collection of 33 songs that Dīkshitar composed, based on the patterns of songs he listened to the British bands play when he was in Manali, near Madras (now Chennai).
This example is connected to the deity called soundara.rāja (the Lord of Beauty or the Beautiful Lord). This is a form of standing Vishnu. In some temples, such as Śrīrangam, Vishnu is depicted as reclining — a form called śāyī, lying down.
This is the final example of a Dīkshitar song, but this is in a brisk tempo. This song is in prayer to the deity called Abhayāmbikā (or Abhayāmbā).
Finally, an example of a song in which Dīkshitar gives both physical geographical references and cultural geographical references.