Flow | Colourful and creative “when life is attuned to a single tune” – Mahatma Gandhi

South Indian conventions (raga names & svara notation): karnATik.com | Guide >> raagam: kuntalavarALiAa: S M1 P D2 N2 D2 S | Av: S N2 D2 P M1 S If a raga1 constitutes more than mere arrangements of notes derived from a given scale, this is due to the mood it evokes in listeners from different backgrounds. This shared experience is … Read more

A brief introduction to Carnatic music

Whatever one’s personal background and aspirations may be, Carnatic music bamains a quest for undiluted aesthetic experience (rasa).1 Three basic concepts are essential for daily practice as well as proper appreciation: rāga (tuneful rendition with minute intervals and rich in embellishments), tāla (rhythmic order marked by mathematical precision), and bhāva (expression of thoughts and emotions). To … Read more

Flow | Exercises, related resources & tips

Whether you learn singing, practice a melody instrument or seek a better understanding of your favourite music – it’s the proverbial saptasvara “seven notes” that provide the key to the Unity in Diversity that sets Carnatic music apart:1 sa ri ga ma pa dha ni One point to remember in the present context is that musicians … Read more

Introduction

Carnatic music, the art music of South India, is locally known as karnātaka sangītam. According to V. Sriram, an authority on the recent history of this music, a popular interpretation of karnataka sangitam is derived from the Tamil words karna (“ear”) and ata (a word used to express surprise): “that which haunts the ear.” Carnatic … Read more