Here is the entire first stanza written linearly. Practice each line slowly with a metronome at 60 BPM.
Text: Aigiri nandini nanditha medini, Vishwa vinandini nanda nuthe
| Syllable | Swara | Finger/Position | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Ai | Sa | Open D | | gi | Sa | Open D (slide to Re) | | ri | Re | 1st finger A string (touching 2nd finger) | | Nan | Ga | Low 1st finger D string (Eb) | | di | Pa | 3rd finger D string (G) | | ni | Ga | Low 1st finger D | | Nan | Re | 1st finger A (D) | | di | Sa | Open D | | tha | Re | 1st finger A | | Me | Ga | Low 1st D | | di | Pa | 3rd finger D | | ni | Sa (high) | Open E | | Rest | Sa | (Bow lift) | | Vish | Pa | 3rd finger D | | wa | Pa | 3rd finger D (Karvai - held note) | | Vi | Ga | Low 1st D | | nan | Re | 1st finger A | | di | Sa | Open D | | ni | Re | 1st finger A | | Nan | Ga | Low 1st D | | da | Pa | 3rd finger D | | Nu | Ga | Low 1st D (fast) | | the | Sa | Open D (long bow) | aigiri nandini violin notes
The original chant is usually set in Raga Sindhu Bhairavi (Carnatic equivalent: Raga Mohanakalyani or Bhairavi with a sadhu feel). For simplicity, most tutorials use C Major / A minor scale.
Recommended scale for beginners: C Major (no sharps/flats)
Tune violin: Sa = C (G-D-A-E standard, but with fingers shifting scale accordingly) Here is the entire first stanza written linearly
| Note | Carnatic | Western | Violin finger (1st position, G string) | |------|----------|---------|------------------------------------------| | Sa | C | C | 3rd finger on G string | | Re | D | D | 4th finger on G string or open D | | Ga | E | E | 1st finger on D string | | Ma | F | F | 2nd finger on D string | | Pa | G | G | 3rd finger on D string | | Dha | A | A | open A string | | Ni | B | B | 1st finger on A string | | Sa’ | C | C | 2nd finger on A string |
If using A minor (easier for lower range):
Tune: Sa = A (but most melody fits in C major). The original chant is usually set in Raga
While text notes are helpful, a visual fingering chart is essential. You can create your own by drawing a violin fingerboard and marking the positions for:
Transposition for Other Keys: If you are accompanying a singer who needs a higher pitch (e.g., D minor), shift everything up by one whole step:
Recommended Video Reference: Search YouTube for "Smita Rao Bellur - Aigiri Nandini Violin Cover." Slow the playback speed to 0.5x to match the notes above.