Carnatic Music: An Overview for UPSC Art & Culture

An Overview of Carnatic Music

Carnatic music, a classical music form prevalent in southern India, has a rich and varied history.

• Bharata’s Natyashastra, one of the earliest references to Indian music, provides a detailed account of this captivating music style.
• Noteworthy contributions to music literature include Sangeet Ratnakara by Sarangadeva, a 13th-century masterpiece.
• Chaturdandi Prakasika, penned by Venkatamakhin in the 17th century, provides valuable insights into Carnatic music.
• Indian Classical music is broadly classified into two schools - Hindustani music and Carnatic music.
• Both Hindustani and Carnatic music systems are rooted in two essential elements known as raga and tala.
• Carnatic music, predominantly associated with South India, lays significant emphasis on vocal music.
• The compositions are mainly in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Sanskrit and Malayalam.
• Key components of Carnatic music include Pallavi, Anu Pallavi and Charana/Charanam.
  • Pallavi is the opening line of a composition, recurring in every stanza.
  • Anu Pallavi typically follows the Pallavi, and is performed at the beginning and conclusion of a composition.
  • Charana is the concluding line that wraps up the song.
• The instruments commonly used in Carnatic music include Veena, Mridangam, Ghatam, flute, violin, Mandolin, etc.
• Carnatic music is typically accompanied by the percussion instrument Mridangam.
• Flute and Violin are widely used in both Hindustani and Carnatic music.

Learn about the distinctions between the Carnatic and Hindustani music systems in the linked article.

Eminent Personalities of Carnatic Music

• Sri Purandara Dasa (1484-1564), a fervent devotee of Lord Krishna, is venerated as the pita maha or the father of Carnatic Music.
• Annamacharya (1408-1503) is recognized as the first composer of Carnatic music.
• Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri are collectively referred to as the Trinity of Carnatic music.
• Saint Thyagaraja's five acclaimed compositions are known as Pancharatna Kritis. Saint Thyagaraja has also introduced several new ragas.
• The majority of Saint Tyagaraja's compositions are in Telugu, in praise of Lord Rama, with a few in Sanskrit.
• Other renowned composers of Carnatic music include Swati Thirunal, Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi, Sadasiva Brahmendra, Muthiah Bhagavatar, Papanasam Sivan, M Balamuralikrishna, among others.

Access more art and culture notes for UPSC in the link.