Carnatic music is an important branch of classical Indian music originating from southern India. Along with HIndustani music, it makes up Indian classical music that is known worldwide today. In this article, you can read all about Carnatic music for the IAS exam art & culture segment.
Image source: The Hindu
Noted vocalist and Carnatic singer Neela Ramgopal passed away on 1 March 2023. Neela Ramgopal was a Carnatic music teacher and vocalist who received several awards including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Sangita Kala Acharya Award from the Madras Music Academy.
Carnatic Music
Carnatic music is the style of classical Indian music that originated in southern India.
- Bharata’s Natyashastra is one of the earliest works of Indian music which contains elaborate details about this form of music.
- The other important works on music are Sangeet Ratnakara by Sarangadeva in the 13th century.Â
- Chaturdandi Prakasika written in the 17th century by Venkatamakhin contains important information related to Carnatic music.
- Two different schools of Indian Classical music are Hindustani music and Carnatic music.
- Both Hindustani and Carnatic music systems are based on two elements called raga and tala.
- Carnatic music is generally associated with South India and emphasizes vocal music.
- Major languages used in composition are Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Sanskrit and Malayalam.
- The important components of Carnatic music are Pallavi, Anu Pallavi and Charana/Charanam.
- Pallavi is the first line of each composition and recurs in each stanza.
- Anu Pallavi generally follows the Pallavi and is sung during the start and end of a composition.
- Charana is the long and final line that concludes the song.
- Important instruments used in Carnatic music are Veena, Mridangam, Ghatam, flute, violin, Mandolin, etc.
- Carnatic music is generally performed with the percussion instrument Mridangam.
- Flute and Violin are commonly used in both Hindustani and Carnatic music.
Read about the differences between Carnatic and Hindustani music systems in the linked article.
Important Personalities associated with Carnatic Music
- Sri Purandara Dasa (1484-1564) was a great devotee of Lord Krishna and is considered the pita maha or the father of Carnatic Music.
- Annamacharya (1408-1503) is the first known composer of Carnatic music.
- Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri are called the Trinity of Carnatic music.Â
- Five famous compositions of Saint Thyagaraja are called Pancharatna Kritis. Saint Thyagaraja has also created several new ragas.
- Most of the compositions of Saint Tyagaraja are in praise of Lord Rama in Telugu and a few are in Sanskrit.
- Some other famous composers of Carnatic music are Swati Thirunal, Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi, Sadasiva Brahmendra, Muthiah Bhagavatar, Papanasam Sivan, M Balamuralikrishna, etc.
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