Questions and Answers
Classical music of southern India is also known as?
Karnataka sangeeta or Carnatic music
What type of tradition is Carnatic music?
Oral
What determines if someone is a musician in Carnatic music?
Caste system
What is Bharata Natyam?
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Carnatic music concerts are sponsored by?
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What are the characteristics of a Carnatic music concert?
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What are the musical layers of the Carnatic ensemble?
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What is the melodic layer in a Carnatic music ensemble?
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What is the Sruti layer in Carnatic music?
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What instruments are part of the Rhythm layer?
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What does the term Raga refer to?
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Raga is associated with what?
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What is the melakarta system?
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How many melakarta ragas exist?
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What is Tala in Carnatic music?
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How many main talas are used today in Carnatic music?
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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.
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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!
