Indian Classical Music Flashcards

Study Notes

Indian Classical Music: Carnatic Music

Carnatic music, also known as Karnataka sangeeta, is the classical music of southern India.
This musical tradition is primarily oral, emphasizing transmission through listening and practice rather than written notation.
The caste system influences the determination of who may become a musician in this tradition.

Bharata Natyam

Bharata Natyam is a revered classical dance style in Indian culture, often performed to Carnatic music.

Concert Dynamics

Carnatic music concerts are predominantly sponsored by sabhas, which are cultural clubs that promote music and dance.
Concerts tend to be relaxed and informal, lasting up to three hours without intermission. Each performance features a series of songs, each with a distinct raga (melodic framework) and tala (rhythmic cycle).

Musical Structure

The ensemble consists of three primary layers:
- Melodic Layer: The soloist usually takes center stage, often a vocalist but can also be an instrumentalist.
- Sruti Layer: Provides a continuous drone, typically created by instruments like the tambura or a sruti box.
- Rhythm Layer: Features percussion instruments, including the mridangam (main drum), ghatam (large clay pot), kanjira (small tambourine), and morsang (jew's harp).

Ragas and Their Role

A raga is a melodic system designed to evoke specific emotions or "colors" in the listener's mind.
Each raga is associated with one of the nine rasas, which represent different emotional states.

Melakarta System

The melakarta system serves as the foundational scale for all ragas, consisting of seven notes.
There are a total of 72 melakarta ragas utilized within the Carnatic music tradition.

Understanding Tala

Tala is the concept of organizing time in music, acting as the meter that supports rhythmic structure.
Currently, there are four main talas that are predominantly used in Carnatic music performances.

Description

Test your knowledge of Indian classical music with these flashcards. Explore key concepts, definitions, and historical aspects of Carnatic music, a prominent tradition from southern India, and its cultural significance. Perfect for music enthusiasts and learners alike!