Faqs on Carnatic Music

Skanda always stays true to the tagline "Writing about Fine Arts - Scientifically'. We hone this skill from book to book.

I am very very happy to present our latest title, brought out with the good wishes and support of our well-wishers.

Carnatic Music is an age-old art. With a history spanning centuries, it has become a huge part of India's cultural footprint. However, with such an illustrious background, the form can seem needlessly daunting to those who wish to know more about it. But, even after overcoming that hesitation, where does one begin?

Skanda's latest title provides the answers to all your Questions in our trademark style, involving you fully in the process of discovery. The book has been divided into multiple segments, each dealing with one aspect of the form - ranging from the thala system to ragas to concerts. A new feature seen in this book is Harshi's Carnatic Nook from the young voice of Harshitha Suresh.

I hope you enjoy this book, which I am confident will take you closer to Carnatic Music.

Bheemanattumadathil Ananthanarayanan Suresh, advocate and media man, had his schooling in his home-town Perinthalmanna, and did his BA in Economics at the M.ES. Kalladi College, Mannarghat. He then pursued his LL.B. at the Government Law College, Barton Hill, Thiruvanathapuram and started his career in Law.

Born and brought up amidst the swaying coconut trees and greenery of Kerala, Suresh was fascinated by the wondrous performances of Kathakali and Koodiyattam that he used to regularly watch spell-bound, right from his childhood days. Since it was not a convention in their family to train children in performing arts, Suresh could not pursue his passion then, and trained instead as a lawyer like his father and forefathers. Always drawn towards creative pursuits, Suresh soon moved over to print media following his heart.

Deep within, Suresh still harboured his childhood desire to reconnect with performing arts. Getting married to Vidya was really a godsend in this direction, since it helped him view both art and artistes from a closer and an insider perspective, which eventually led to the birth of Skanda Publications.

His respect and regard for performing arts has seen him adorn the mantle of a huge supporter of the cause of documenting and popularising our traditional performing art forms. Thanks to his zeal and mentoring, Skanda's books have offered readers an amazing depth of information on our rich and varied culture for more than 21 years.

The couple is blessed with three children: Mahitha Suresh and twins Harshitha Suresh and Nipun Suresh. Mahitha is a Chartered Accountant and an ACCA member. She is married to Vijay Subramaniam K, also a Chartered Accountant and an ACCA member. Harshitha is a second-year student of BA Economics at Stella Maris College, while Nipun is a second-year student of B.Tech Electrical Engineering at IIT-Madras.

**Contents and Sample Pages**