An Introduction to Karnatic Music (With Notation)

It is really happy moment for me that I am going to release a book named "An Introduction to Karnatic Music II edition" which will be published in Varanasi.

In this book an effort has been made to include the traditional way of singing Karnatic music swaralankaras which is sung in traditional way years together. It is believed that all these varisais are composed by Sangeeta pitamah Saint Purandaradasa during 14th - 15th century and sung orally.

In the first part the varisais like Saralivarisai, Janta varisai, Dattu varisai, Melstayi varisai and saptatala alankaras are included.

In the second section various sanchari geethams and lakshana geetams followed by swarajathis are given.

In the theory part raga and its classifications the scheme of 72 melakarthas and talas are included which is very important for classical music.

In the end a brief life history of famous composers of Karnatic Music such as Jayadeva, Purandaradasa followed by the South Indian music trinity Shyama shastri, Muthuswami dikshitar and Tyagaraja, in the end Maharaja Swathi Tirunal's life history is also mentioned. This work will help the beginners of Karnatic Music and also can be used as reference for the music lovers.

Dr. K Sashi Kumar Ph.D Music, Is working as a Reader in the Dept of Vocal , Faculty of Performing Arts, Banaras Hindu University.

He is also a Performing Artist. Performed in several places both in India and Abroad. He has released many Compact Disc and Cassettes in his credit. He has also done various music direction in the field of Instrumental music, Devotional music and Bharatanatyam. His another work "Panchavadyam" is under Publication.

It is really happy moment for me that lam going to release a book named "An Introduction to Karnatic Music II edition" which will be published in Varanasi.

In this book an effort has been made to include the traditional way of singing Karnatic music swaralankaras which is sung in traditional way years together. It is believed that all these varisais are composed by Sangeeta pitamah Saint Purandaradasa during 14th - 15th century and sung orally.

In the fast part the varisais like Saralivarisai, Janta varisai, Dattu varisai, Melstayi varisai and saptatala alankaras are included.

In the second section various sanchari geethams and lakshana geetams followed by swarajathis are given.

In the theory part raga and its classifications the scheme of 72 melakarthas and talas are included which is very important for classical music.

In the end a brief life history of famous composers of Karnatic Music such as Jayadeva, Purandaradasa followed by the South Indian music trinity Shyama shastri, Muthuswami dikshitar and Tyagaraja, in the end Maharaja Swathi Tirunal's life history is also mentioned. This work will help the beginners of Karnatic Music and also can be used as reference for the music lovers.

Karnatic and Hindustani music are two main Classical music systems of India. The names are not very old and cannot be traced the sources beyond 150 years. The earliest documentation of the two systems perhaps is found in the book of C.R. Day (1891:2-3). The two systems all though sprung from the same origin, have since undergone independently considerable changes, and are now totally distinct from each other (Day 1891:2-3). There are broadly two systems of art music recognized in India, the South Indian and the North Indian. One prevalent in the southern region and the other in the north. South Indian music is also known as Karnataka Music (Camatic or Karnatic as the British rulers spelt it). The southern area includes the four southern states of India- Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka and also the Union Territory of Pondichery and also the country Srilanka. In Srilanka custom and northern part is mainly occupied by Tamil speaking people. Southern music is cultivated with Yazh panam (Jafna) serving as a centre. Whereas in the south Srilanka the centre part at Colombo the northern system is most popular. A study of literature shows us many system of music that had existed during various periods in history in various parts of the country.

It is in the post Chaturdandi period that one can find the present day Karnatic music evolving in the Tanjavur region of Tamilnadu. The primarily characterizes is the style or manner of its melodic rendering dominated by the shake and oscillation.