Carnatic Indian Classical Music Terms

Questions and Answers

What are 'svara' in Carnatic Indian classical music?

Notes or tones that make up the raga (correct)

Rhythmic modes

A form of vocal performance

Types of musical instruments

What is a veena?

Chordophone with three drone strings and four playing strings.

What is the function of a tambura in Carnatic music?

Provides drone.

Define solkattu.

Percussion syllables used to teach and communicate rhythmic groupings. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mridangam?

Double-headed drum; a type of membranophone. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of instrument is a kanjira?

Tambourine; a combination of membranophone and idiophone. Signup and view all the answers

What is a rhatam?

Clay pot; idiophone. Signup and view all the answers

Define morsang.

Jew's harp/jaw harp; plucked idiophone. Signup and view all the answers

What is a varnum in Carnatic music?

Usually the warmup piece. Signup and view all the answers

Define kriti.

Principal song form of Carnatic classical music. Signup and view all the answers

What is an alapana?

Free rhythm introduction to the piece; exploration of raga. Signup and view all the answers

What does tanam refer to?

Rhythmic exposition of the raga. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'kriti proper'?

Main composed piece. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pallavi?

First part of kriti proper. Signup and view all the answers

Define anupallavi.

Second part of kriti proper. Signup and view all the answers

What is charanam?

Last part of kriti proper. Signup and view all the answers

What does rasa connect to in Carnatic music?

It connects raga to musical ideas such as times of day or the year. Signup and view all the answers

Define sruti.

The drone. Signup and view all the answers

What is tala?

Rhythmic mode or cycle; way in which time is organized in music. Signup and view all the answers

What does kriya refer to?

Accompanying gestures to the tala. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Musical Terms in Carnatic Classical Music

Svara: Represents the individual notes or tones that form the raga, essential for melodic structure.
Veena: A traditional chordophone with three drone strings and four strings for playing melody, integral to Carnatic music.
Tambura: A chordophone that serves as the drone instrument, providing harmonic support throughout performances.
Solkattu: A system of percussion syllables used for teaching and conveying rhythmic patterns, useful for rhythm training.
Mridangam: A prominent double-headed drum classified as a membranophone; it provides the rhythm in performances.
Kanjira: A type of tambourine that combines membranophone and idiophone characteristics, often used to complement rhythms.
Rhatam: An idiophone made from clay, utilized in various musical contexts to enhance rhythmic qualities.
Morsang: Also known as a Jew's harp, this plucked idiophone provides unique sounds in ensemble settings.

Performance Structure in Carnatic Music

Varnam: Typically serves as the introductory warm-up piece, helping performers showcase their vocal or instrumental skills.
Kriti: The principal song form within Carnatic music, can be performed vocally or instrumentally and is characterized by its structured composition.
Alapana: A free rhythm introduction that explores the raga, setting the mood and establishing melodic themes prior to the main piece.
Tanam: Provides a rhythmic exposition of the raga, bridging the introduction and the main composition.
Kriti Proper: The main composed piece within the kriti, consisting of multiple structured components.
Pallavi: The initial section of the kriti proper, introducing the main theme.
Anupallavi: The second segment of the kriti proper, often expanding on the ideas presented in the pallavi.
Charanam: The concluding part of the kriti proper, providing resolution and closure to the composition.

Concepts of Emotion and Rhythm

Rasa: Establishes a connection between raga and expressive musical ideas, often associated with specific times of day or seasons.
Sruti: Refers to the drone, forming an essential backdrop that enhances the overall harmonic texture.
Tala: Denotes the rhythmic cycle or mode, organizing time in the music and dictating the structure of rhythmic patterns.
Kriya: Involves accompanying gestures that add expressiveness to the tala, enhancing the visual aspect of performance.

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Description

Explore the essential vocabulary of Carnatic Indian Classical Music with this flashcard quiz. Test your knowledge on key terms such as 'svara', 'veena', and 'mridangam' to enhance your understanding of this rich musical tradition.