Lyrics & Meanings of some of the songs in today’s concert (28/04/2024). Lyrics given in Sanskrit (Devanagari) text for easy reference. Vinayaka Ninnuvina Brochudaku (Raga: Hamsadwani; Composer: E. V. Ramakrishna Bhagavathar) विनायका निन्नुविना ब्रोचुडकु वेरेवरुरा विग्नराज | O Vinayaka! Vigna Raja! Who else, other than you (ninnuvinA vErevrurA) can protect me (brOchuDaku)? अनाथ रक्षक नीवेगादा …
Category: Musical Musings
Notes for the Learner – Basic Level
These notes are for those who have started learning and are at the basic level. By that, I mean those who are learning Varisaes, Alankarams, Geethams and Nottu Swarams. From Varnams onwards, I would call it an 'intermediate level'. These categorisations are purely based on my own teaching method, and has no other connotations (such …
Notes for the Learner – Intermediate Level
These notes are for those who have completed their basic lessons (Varisaes, Geethams, etc) and have learned a fair number of Varnams and Krithis - say, ten or more of each of these. I would assume that some of the major sampoorna ragams like Sankarabharanam, Kalyani, Todi, Mayamalavagaula and Pantuvarali have already been learnt - …
Karnatic Music – a Quick Intro (1)
Indian system of music is based on 7 notes or swaras - Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni. One octave is an interval between notes that is twice the starting frequency. Eg, if I were to start with 132 Hertz and continue to increase the pitch of my voice, when I hit 264 Hertz, …
Karnatic Music – a Quick Intro (2)
In this post, I'll talk about a number of related topics, a follow up on Intro (1). Melakartha System As explained earlier, the classification of the foundational ragas (melakarthas) is based on the 72-melakartha system propounded by Govindacharya. This was a modified fom of the 72 mekartha system proposed by Venkatamakhi. The melakarthas are divided …
Gamaka – an Introduction
Gamaka is a critical element of Indian music, both Karnatic and Hindusthani. There are 10 (dasavidha) or even 15 (pancha-dasa-vidha) types of gamakas described in works such as Sangeetha Sampradaya Pradarshini. Gamakas also exist in other forms of music; however, the variety, complexity and usage as seen in Karnatic music is unparalleled. What is gamaka? …
Guide to Notation Convention Used Here
A note on the convention used for presenting notations in this website. Traditionally, music notations follow this practice: a note by itself is 'madhya sthaayi' (mid octave); a note with a 'dot' on top is 'tara sthaayi' (higher octave) and a note with a dot below is 'mandra sthaayi' (lower octave). Notation for 'Jalajaksha' varnam …
Venkat Ayalur 