Carnatic Music

The Carnatic music is a music tradition associated with South India and is said to be of divine origin. In this article, you will learn Carnatic music origin, history, characteristics, Carnatic musical instruments, difference between Hindustani music and Carnatic music of Carnatic music, providing key insights for GS Paper-I Art and Culture section of UPSC IAS Exam.

Table of Content

• What is Carnatic music?
• History of Carnatic music
• Characteristics of Carnatic music
• Sections of Carnatic composition
• Early proponents of Carnatic Music
• Trinity of Carnatic music
• Difference between Hindustani and Carnatic Music
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is Carnatic music?

• The Carnatic music is a music tradition that is primarily originated in South India including states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• It is also known as Karnāṭaka saṃgīta or Karnāṭaka saṅgītam.
• Famous Carnatic music: Nottuswara, Navagraha Kritis, Pancharatna Kritis, Swarajati etc.
• Carnatic music artists: Tallapaka Annamacharya, Narayana Tirtha, Kshetranja, and Bhadra-chalam, Ramdasa etc.
• Instruments used in Carnatic music: Mridangam, Veena, Ghatam, Kanjira, Violin, Uddukai etc.

History of Carnatic music:

• There is no specific founder of Carnatic music as Carnatic Music is believed to have divine origin.
• The Karnāṭaka saṃgīta was mentioned in Natya Shastra like all other Indian classical music.
• In Natya Shastra, Bharatamuni has defined the fundamentals of music as an art form including Swara, Tala, and Pada.
• The Karnāṭaka saṃgīta was famous in Deogiri (Maharashtra) of Yadavas and in the Empire of Vijayanagar.
• The term ‘Carnatic’ first appeared in 14th century CE in Sangeeta Sudhakara written by Haripala.

Characteristics of Carnatic music:

• The Carnatic classical music specializes in producing music that adheres to the traditional octave.
• The Karnāṭaka saṃgīta centres around kritis, a refined musical composition set to a specific raga and rhythmic cycle or tala.
• It focuses on the saahitya or the lyrical aspect of the musical composition.
• Its other components are Swara-Kalpana, an improvised section performed alongside the drummer at moderate and fast tempos.
• Carnatic music instruments includes: the mridangam.
  • Compositions consisting of free rhythm performed using the mridangam is known as “Tanam.”
  • Compositions are sung without mridangam are called “Ragam.”
• Talas in Carnatic Music are the measure of time or the rhythm cycle, which is generally produced by clappinghands to produce music.
  • There are total 7 talas in Carnatic music known as sapta Talas.
• Alankaras in Carnatic music is the decorative swara passage sung along with the sapta talas.
• Carnatic music ragas: Sampurna Ragas, Melakarta Ragas, Janya Ragas, Audava Ragas, Shadava Ragas, Vakra Ragas etc.
• Swaras in Carnatic music: Shadjama, Rishabha, Gandhara, Madhyama, Panchama, Dhaivata, Nishada.
• Varnam Carnatic music: varnam consists of lyrics and swaram passages with its type- tana varnam and padha varnam. 
• Purandara Dasa (1484-1564) is known as the Pitamaha or the father of Carnatic music.

Purandara Dasa:

Sections of Carnatic composition:

Pallavi:

• The initial or second thematic lines of the composition are known as the “Pallavi.”
• This segment is often repeated in each stanza.
• Pallavi is considered as the ‘Piece de Resistance’ of the Carnatic composition.
• Artists have opportunities for improvisation in compositions called “Ragam Thanam Pallavi”.
  • It is considered as the best part of the Carnatic composition.

Anu Pallavi:

• Following the Pallavi, two lines are referred to as Anu Pallavi.
• Anu Pallavi is sung at the beginning and sometimes at the end of the song.
• Anu Pallavi is not mandatory to be repeated after each stanza or Charanam.

Charana:

• Charana is the final and lengthiest verse of the composition.
• Charana is sung to conclude the song.

Early proponents of Carnatic Music:

Annamacharya (1408-1503):

• Annamacharyawas the first known composer of Carnatic Music.
• The compositions of Annamacharyaconsisted of sankirtanas that praised Lord Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu.
• Most of Annamacharya’s compositions were in Telugu.
• Annamacharyais widely acknowledged as the “Grandfather of Telugu Songwriting.”

Purandara Dasa (1484-1564):

• Purandara Dasawas one of the key proponents of Carnatic music.
• Purandara Dasawas devoted to Lord Krishna.
• Purandara Dasawasalsoknownas grandfather of Carnatic Music.
• Purandara Dasawas believed to be an incarnation of sage Narada.
• The famous compositions of Purandara Dasa include Dasa Sahithya.

Kshetrayya (1600-1680):

• Kshetrayyawas a prominent Telugu poet and composer in Carnatic music.
• Kshetrayyawas known for his numerous Padams and Keertanas.
• Kshetrayya’s compositions predominantly revolved around Lord Krishna.
• Kshetrayyahadtravelled extensively from one place to another.
• Padams of Kshetrayyaare still sung during Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi performances.

Bhadrachala Ramadasu (1620-1680):

• Bhadrachala Ramadasu’scompositions had mainly praised Lord Rama.
• The compositions of Bhadrachala Ramadasu were predominantly in Telugu.
• Bhadrachala Ramadasuwas one of the notable Vaggeyakaras, meaning he composed both the lyrics and the music.
  • Other Telugu Vaggeyakaras include Annamacharya, Tyagaraja, Syama Sastri, and others.

Trinity of Carnatic music:

Difference between Hindustani and Carnatic Music:

Conclusion

With its unique melodic and rhythmic structure, Karnāṭaka saṃgīta continues to captivate audiences and serve as an integral part of the rich cultural heritage of the region. Government should take appropriate measures to preserve this tradition of the region and promote it as a soft diplomacy among other countries such as Sri Lanka, where they are still sung and famous. The Carnatic and Hindustani music are the pillars of Indian classical music.

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