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==Overview== ==Overview==
'''Karnatak music''' (Sanskrit ''karnataka sangeetham'' ) also known as ''Carnatic music'' is the ] of South ] (as opposed to the classical music of North India called ]) performed by a small ensemble of musicians. The troupe usually has a vocalist, a primary instrument performer, a drone instrument performer and a rhythm instrument performer. '''Karnatak music''' (Sanskrit ''karnataka sangeetham'' ) also known as ''Carnatic music'' is the ] of South ] (as opposed to the classical music of North India called ]) It is similar to Hindustani in that it is mostly improvised, but it is much more theoretical, with stringent rules.<sup>1</sup> It also emphasizes the expertise of the voice rather than of the instruments.


As with all ], the main two components of Karnatak music are ], a melodic pattern and ], a rhythmic pattern.
Primary instruments are string instruments like ] and ]. Drone instruments are accompanying instruments which just set an environment for the underlying melody (e.g., ] and ] ]). Rhythm instruments are percussion instruments (e.g, ], ], etc.). See also: ].


==Karnatak concerts==
Karnatak music is similar to Hindustani in that it is mostly improvised. However, it is much more theoretical with stringent rules. It also emphasizes the expertise of the voice rather than of the instruments.


Karnatak music performed by a small ensemble of musicians. The troupe usually has a vocalist, a primary instrument performer, a drone instrument performer and a rhythm instrument performer.
As with all ], the main two components of Karnatak music are ], a melodic pattern and ], a rhythmic pattern.

Primary instruments are string instruments like ] and ]. Drone instruments are accompanying instruments which just set an environment for the underlying melody (e.g., ] and ] ]). Rhythm instruments are percussion instruments (e.g, ], ], etc.). See also: ].


A ''raga'' is a specific scale, that is a sequence of notes. Specific ragas are associated with specific times of the day and are supposed to invoke different moods. A ''raga'' is a specific scale, that is a sequence of notes. Specific ragas are associated with specific times of the day and are supposed to invoke different moods.
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and links. and links.
* A Karnatak Primer is here: http://www.sambavi.com/Carnatic/a_karnatic_music_primer.htm * A Karnatak Primer is here: http://www.sambavi.com/Carnatic/a_karnatic_music_primer.htm

==Footnotes==

#This, some argue, makes Karnatak music more creative!

Revision as of 19:15, 30 August 2003

Overview

Karnatak music (Sanskrit karnataka sangeetham ) also known as Carnatic music is the classical music of South India (as opposed to the classical music of North India called Hindustani) It is similar to Hindustani in that it is mostly improvised, but it is much more theoretical, with stringent rules. It also emphasizes the expertise of the voice rather than of the instruments.

As with all Indian music, the main two components of Karnatak music are raga, a melodic pattern and tala, a rhythmic pattern.

Karnatak concerts

Karnatak music performed by a small ensemble of musicians. The troupe usually has a vocalist, a primary instrument performer, a drone instrument performer and a rhythm instrument performer.

Primary instruments are string instruments like veena and violin. Drone instruments are accompanying instruments which just set an environment for the underlying melody (e.g., tambura and sruti box). Rhythm instruments are percussion instruments (e.g, mridangam, gadam, etc.). See also: Indian musical instruments.

A raga is a specific scale, that is a sequence of notes. Specific ragas are associated with specific times of the day and are supposed to invoke different moods.

A tala is a cyclical pattern, to help the rhythm of the performance, to synchronize voice with drone and other instruments. The vocalist either creates taala by patting his thighs or by conceiving the rhythmic patterns in his mind. As you can see, Karnatak concert vocalists have knee-slapping fun!

Karnatak songs

Structure and variety

Karnatak songs are varied in structure and style, but generally consist of three verses:

  1. Pallavi (पल्लवि). This is the equivalent of a refrain in Western music. Two lines.
  2. Anupallavi (अनुपल्लवि). The second verse. Also two lines.
  3. Charanam (चरणं). The final (and longest) verse that wraps up the song. The Charanam usually borrows patterns from the Anupallavi. Usually three lines.

This kind of song is called a keerthanam (कीर्तनं). But this is only one possible structure for a keerthanam. Some keerthanams have a verse between the Anupallavi and the Charanam, called the Chittaswaram (चिट्टस्वरं). This verse consists only of notes, and has no words.

A Varnam is a special kind of song which tells you everything about a ragam; not just the scale, but also which notes to stress, how to approach a certain note, classical and characteristic phrases, etc. It's like reading the Bible in a foreign language.

How to sing them

The subtleties of Karnatak music were once not known to many people. As a lot of treatises were developed and Bhakti (absolute devotion in Hinduism) flourished in India, more and more people got attracted towards it and it has earned international acclaim..

External links

  • http://www.sangeetham.com is a premier portal site on Karnatak Music. It is a huge storehouse of information on the musical system and its personalities. Highlights include a searcheable database of compositions with lyrics and meanings, detailed information of carnatic music personalities and a very active discussion forum.
  • http://www.carnatic.com/ has an introduction, lyrics, audio, information on instruments, musicians

and links.

Footnotes

  1. This, some argue, makes Karnatak music more creative!