Dear Pāṭṭu Vādyār,
I understand that a composer usually uses a word or a phrase in his composition as a sign of his authorship. Traditionally is there a particular place where a composer places his Mudra in a Varṇam?
Yes, composers of Varṇams traditionally include their Mudra in the second line of the Anupallavi. Here are some examples:
1. Evari bōdhana – Ābhogi – Ādi – Patnam Subramania Iyer (mudra: Veṅkaṭēśa/Veṅkaṭēśvara)
(Śēṣā)calēndru śrī veṅkaṭēśvara
2. Inta calamu – Begaḍa – Ādi – Veenai Kuppaiyer (mudra: Veṇugopāla)
Pantamēlarā śrī vēṇugōpāla dāsa paripāla
Modern compositions:
3. Ōṃkāra praṇava: Ṣaṇmukhapriyā – Adi – M Balamuralikrishna (mudra: Muraḷi)
(Tribhuvana)śakti muraḷi gāna svarūpi
4. Ē nādamulō: Nāṭṭai – Ādi – M Balamuralikrishna (mudra: Muraḷi)
Ā nādamē muraḷi
