Hi there! So glad to have you at today's concert.
If you are new to Carnatic Music, feel free to use this page as a simple 101 that explains what you are / will be hearing.
What is Carnatic Music, and where are its origins?
Carnatic Music is a form of Indian classical music predominantly seen in the South of the country. It's origins are believed to be found in the Sama Veda, making the historic significance of this artform traverses our limited knowledge of time. However, origins of the form & shape that the art assumes today, can be traced back to the 15th Century.
How can I understand Carnatic music as a first-time listener?
The beauty of this artform lies in a trifecta of - Raga, Laya and Bhava. Raga denotes the melodic aspect of the music (simply put - the tune) ; Laya is the underlying rhythm and Bhava is an inexplicable emotion that arises with the music (imagine entering a temple, there is something more that one feels beyond the sensory perception of the grand architecture, warmth of the lamps and smell of the flowers - right?)
What is strikingly different between popular music and Indian classical arts is it's form. There are two components of music we learn and present - Kampita and Kalpana. Kampita simply refers to any compositions that have been pre-set to a tune and rhythm by great composers. Most of the compositions we present are anywhere between 200 to 700 years old. The beauty of the Kampita aspect is that thousands of songs have lived on for centuries almost only through oral teaching / learning traditions. The second aspect, is unique to Indian classical music - the Kalpana - or the imagination. Musicians are trained to "create" music on stage by using the breadth of their imagination and depth of knowledge.
What is the essence of the songs / music I am hearing?
It is important to note that the songs being presented were composed not as a theoretical exercise with a pen and paper by experts of this music, but rather were outpourings of emotion by Vaggeyakaras (composers who we consider saints). They were touched deeply by situations that made them feel great sense of Bhakti (devotion) towards their Lord - and so they just sang. It is believed that those around them followed the composer around and notated the music to pass on to more people.
That got a bit heavy! So to sum up, what you're hearing, in essence, is an attempt to invoke the same devotion with which the composer may have created the piece as well as a sincere indulgence in one's own creativity within the large scope that this artform provides.
What can I look for specifically in a concert?
Here are a couple of things you can try and notice in my concert:
- Before presenting any composition, you'll mostly hear me do a small bit dominated by the syllable "aa" - this is an alapana (creative exploration of the raga)
- The violist and mridangist are exceptionally trained to follow what I sing in a way that requires tremendous intuition : notice how the violinist repeats a segment of a phrase I sing in the alapana almost instantly!
- Watch for an extempore exchange between me and the violinist when we present Kalpana Svaras (using the seven notes to create patterns on stage and ending it such that it lands back in the rhythmic cycle of the song)
- The Tani Avartanam is a solo bit for the Mridangist who will create amazing mathematical patterns and logical flows on stage within the larger rhythm set for the song
How do I know what is to be appreciated and how to show my appreciation?
Just look around - you will see the audience indulge in "head-nodding" to show their approval for what they've heard! Apart from a standard set of claps, you will also hear folks go "tch tch" and that's a big deal!! The pinnacle of appreciation is however, when you hear words like "Sabhash!", "Bhale!", "Besh!", or "Aha!" from some folks :)
Hope you have a great concert experience, and I look forward to seeing you again 🙏
