Page 6 - Oct-Dec 2017

DID yoU kNow?
Soulful South : Carnatic Music Thyagaraja composed the
Pancharatna kritis, which
In the Medieval Period, due to Islamic influence music in India got bifurcated are a set of five songs, all
into North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic) music. Let us set in different ragas
and talas.
explore them…

Carnatic music is one of the
oldest musical traditions in temPLe tRadItIOn
the world. It is also known It is believed that Carnatic music
as Karnataka Sangitam. has divine origin. Its growth owes
After the Muslim invasions a lot to the temple traditions
and the beginning of that required songs and music.
Persian influence, it was the Sopanasangeetham is a
southern style which was form of classical music
left completely untouched. originated in the temples
While the North developed of Kerala. It is sung along
its own musical tradition, the holy steps (sopanam) Illustration by: Triphoor Sawhney,
the South branched into leading to the shrine. VI B, Convent of Jesus and Mary,
Carnatic music which Varsha Mohan, XII C, Army Public Ambala Cantt.
evolved as a completely School, bolarum, Hyderabad
different genre.
In the 16 century, during the Vijayanagar Empire, Carnatic taLaPaka and tIRUmaLa
th
music grew under the Kannada Haridasa movement of Talapaka Annamacharya used to write devotional
Vyasaraja and Purandara Dasa among others. Purandara songs. Many of these were found engraved on copper
is known as the Grandfather of Carnatic music. He, along plates in sealed chambers of the Tirumala temples.
with Ramamatya, laid out the tenets and foundations of
the present framework of teaching South Indian music.
Pawan Preet Kaur, XI G, D.A.V. International School, Amritsar; P.M. Harshni,
I A, Veveaham Prime Academy, Dharapuram
In the 17th century, after the Illustration by: Triphoor Sawhney, VI B, Convent
decline of the Vijayanagar of Jesus and Mary, Ambala Cantt.
Empire, Carnatic music shifted
to Tanjore, where under the
rule of the Nayakas and COmPaRatIve StUdY
the Marathas, who were Similarities differences
themselves musicologists and
composers, it flourished. • Both Hindustani and • Hindustani music has Persian
Carnatic music have influence and Carnatic music
In the 18th century, the basic elements of is indigenous.
Thyagaraja, Muthuswami raga, swara, tala. • Hindustani music has various
Dikshitar and Shyama • Both have religious styles, based on the gharanas,
while Carnatic only has one.
associations.
Shastri, born in the town • Instruments like tabla • Instrumental as well as vocal
of Tiruvarur, created some and harmonium are is equally stressed upon
exceptionally outstanding common. in Hindustani music, while
compositions. They came to Illustration by: A. Satvika Ramya, IX A, • They have similar Carnatic music emphasises on
Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Atmakuri
be known as the ‘Trinity of Rama Rao School, Hyderabad ragas with different vocals.
Carnatic Music’. names, such as Todi • There are 6 main Hindustani
(C) and Bhairav (H), ragas, each with 5 raginis, 8
Major development in and Mohanam (C) and sons and daughters-in-law,
instrumental Carnatic music took place between the Bhopali (H). while Carnatic music has 72
ragas or Melakartas.
18th and 20th centuries under the Mysore Kingdom.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20