Carnatic Music

Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

                                                            

It is one of two main sub-genres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions; the other sub-genre being Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form because of Persian and Islamic influences in North India.

In contrast to Hindustani music, the main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gāyaki (singing) style.

Temple music in different forms of Kerala as early as 7th CE, well structured 12 CE Vachana form of music of Karnataka which is currently adopted for both Carnatic and Hindustani music styles, preliminary kiirtana style compositions by Annamacharya of Andhra and ancient music of Tamilnadu including folk-music served as a background for today’s Karnataka music founded by Purandaradasa in late 14th CE.

Although there are stylistic differences, the basic elements of śruti (the relative musical pitch), swara (the musical sound of a single note), rāga (the mode or melodic formulæ), and tala (the rhythmic cycles) form the foundation of improvisation and composition in both Carnatic and Hindustani music.

Although improvisation plays an important role, Carnatic music is mainly sung through compositions, especially the kriti (or kirtanam), a form developed between the 14th and 20th centuries by composers such as Purandara Dasa and the Trinity of Carnatic music.

Carnatic music is usually performed by a small ensemble of musicians, consisting of a principal performer (usually a vocalist), a melodic accompaniment (usually a violin), a rhythm accompaniment (usually a mridangam), and a tambura, which acts as a drone throughout the performance.

The Carnatic music festival season during the month of December–January in Chennai is a world famous cultural event, and over the years it is also taking place in many other south Indian cities such as Bengaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram.

                                                  

The Carnatic music in its present form survived through a considerable amount of changes, influences over the years right from ancient times and alongside it is significant enough to highlight that Carnatic music existence has a major contribution from the ancient form of classical Tamil music.

Among all Indian languages Sanskrit has played the major role in the development of South Indian Classical music since vedic times. The first known sanskrit language Karnataka Music composition in today's format was by the founder Purandara Daasa.