Amritavarshini ushers showers rain when sung. It is a janya raga as it does not have all the seven swaras. It is said that the Carnatic composer Muthuswami Dikshitar brought rain at Ettayapuram by singing his composition Aanandaamrutakarshini Amrutavarshini. It has many compositions in both classical and film music.
IN CLASSICAL MUSIC
Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar’s Sudhamayi rendered by G N Balasubramaniam is popular. Other popular krithis include Sarasiruhanayane by Thyagaraja, Sarasijaasani by Muthuswami Dikshitar, Aanandaamrutakarshini Amritavarshini by Muthuswami Dikshitar, Anni Mantramuli Inde Avahinchenu by Annamacharya and Sudhamayee Sudhanidi by Muthiah Bhagavatar
IN FILMS
In Ganga Gowri, veteran composer M S Viswanathan came up with a Amritavarshini piece Azhagiya megangal, sung by S Janaki. MSV once again come up with Sivakami Ada Vandhal in Paattum Bharatamum, sung by P. Susheela and T M Soundararajan.
Ilayaraja’s song Mazhaikkoru Devane from Sri Raghavendra saw Yesudas give his best in Amritavarshini. In Oruvar Vazhum Alayam, the song Vanin Devi Varuga by Ilayaraja, sung by S P Balasubramaniam and S Janaki, is very traditional and classical.
Thoongatha Vizhigal Rendu from Agni Nakshatram and Kaathirunda Malli Malli by Ilayaraja in Mallu Veti Minor, sung by P Susheela, are equally popular,