Lakshya & Lakshana in carnatic music

First off I realize that there are plenty blogs out there on "Lakshya & Lakshana" in carnatic music. I intend start this conversation with that realization, and I am expecting to share knowledge that I am beginning to read up on this topic. I am focusing at the present time on several books written on this topic, by Sangeetha Rathna & Kalasagara Prof. Mysore Sri V. Ramarathnam.

Prof. Ramarathnam left a vast legacy of knowledge and vidwat and a life time of contribution to carnatic music when he left his mortal remains at the age of nearly 92 years on November 15, 2008. He dedicated his entire life to carnatic music theory and practice with nearly 70 + years of contribution as an artist (vocalist), guru, author, composer and as an administrator. His contributions to all aspects of carnatic are vast and deep, and are well known to true connoisseurs of carnatic music.

I want to start off with a brief tribute by his close friend and fellow vidwan Shri R. K. Srikantan.

I have not literally translated the video from Kannada to English but the following is a summary:

Nearly two weeks after Prof. Mysore V. Ramarathnam left his mortal remains on November 15, 2008, Sangeetha Kalanidhi R. K. Srikantan spoke briefly, expressing his deep sadness over the loss of his friend and fellow musician for more than 60 years.

Shri R K Srikantan reminisced in a short speech, the music of Prof. Ramarathnam, his vidwat and talked about Ramarathnam's concert with all time legends such as Palghat Mani Iyer, and how the concert, and Prof. Ramarathnam's rendering are still echoing in his ears even today. Talking about Prof. Ramarathnam's style of singing Shri Srikantan said "Ramarathnam's rendetion of ragas was short and sweet, full of bhava, lakshya and lakshana. His rendering of swara's & neravals and the bhava laden sangathis, demonstrated Ramarathnam's brilliance, dedication, discipline, and impact of his association with giants such Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Musuri Subramanya Iyer, Semmangudi Srnivasa Iyer, and so on, that enabled him evolve a captivating style of his own. Ramarathnam had a wealth of krithis that he learned by dedication and association with the stalwarts, for a number. He stressed that Prof. Ramarathnam's loss is truly irreplaceable, and that his friend had dedicated his entire life to the achievement of purity and classicism, that is simply hard to find these days." In the end Shri Srikantan expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his all time friend and fellow vidwan, and prayed for the professors soul to rest in piece.

I am beginning to read his book on Lakshya and Lakshana that he authored more than 25 years ago, and it was published by University of Mysore, India. I will start documenting what read and understand from that book in the days and weeks ahead.