for students and lovers of Carnatic music
Audio source: singing by the author | Find details for “78RPM – V V Sadagopan” on Archive.org >> It is a curious irony that we, who claim to “hear” our music,1 are less sensitive to tone quality than the Westerner who “sees” his music. Happy exceptions apart, musicians and listeners (especially of the South) are … Read more
South Indian conventions (raga names & svara notation): karnATik.com | Guide >> raagam: kuntalavarALiAa: S M1 P D2 N2 D2 S | Av: S N2 D2 P M1 S If a raga1 constitutes more than mere arrangements of notes derived from a given scale, this is due to the mood it evokes in listeners from different backgrounds. This shared experience is … Read more
raagam: hamsadhvaniAa: S R2 G3 P N3 S | Av: S N3 P G3 R2 S Having but 5 notes (instead of 7), this type of raga pattern is traditionally classified as being “derived” (janya) from a melakarta raga. More specifically, text books refer to any raga limited to 5 notes as audava raga. The above svara … Read more
The above figures lend themselves to several ragas of Carnatic music: raagam: mOhanam = raagam: bhUpALi (derived from the 28th melakarta raga, Harikambhoji)Aa: S R2 G3 P D2 S | Av: S D2 P G3 R2 S raagam: bhUpALam (derived from the 8th melakarta raga, Hanumatodi)1Aa: S R1 G2 P D1 S | Av: S … Read more
raagam: hamsAnandiAa: S R1 G3 M2 D2 N3 S | Av: S N3 D2 M2 G3 R1 S raagam: shrIranjaniAa: S R2 G2 M1 D2 N2 S | Av: S N2 D2 M1 G2 R2 S Having but 6 notes (instead of 7), this type of raga pattern is traditionally classified as being “derived” (janya) … Read more
a = middle octave (madhya sthayi)‘sa = higher octave (tara sthayi) The above svara pattern may be sung, hummed or practiced silently with any svara variants: those you are already familiar with (e.g. raga Mayamalavagaula, mela 15, raga Dhirasankarabharanam, mela 29, raga Mecakalyani, mela 65) or any other you want to practice. Enjoy practicing by … Read more
This production is based on the book Shobhillu Saptasvara: svarāvali, gītam, prabandham, sūlādi | Find a library copy on Worldcat.org >> Savithri Rajan provides a spoken “Introduction to Shobhillu Saptasvara” on the first track. View or download two excerpts from the book: (1) a gitam in standard notation (raga Hamsadhvani) and (2) an excerpt on the historical context and current … Read more
In her private LP recording titled “Dedication to her guru, Veena Dhanammal”, Savithri Rajan (1908-91) pays tribute Veena Dhanammal (1867-1937). As a child she was tutored by the legendary singer and composer known as “Tiger” Varadachariar (1876-1950, a disciple of Pattanam Subrahmanya Ayyar). Tips: (1) to automatically play both the sides of the LP-recording, click … Read more
Complete live recording of a classical South Indian (Carnatic) vocal recital with announcements for each item Items 1. Mangalavara Ganapate (Varnam) 05:14Raga: Hamsadhvani; Tala: Adi; Composer: Tanjavoor S. Kalyanaraman 2. Sogasuga Mridanga Talamu (Kriti) 11:29Raga: Sriranjani; Tala: Rupakam; Composer: Tyagaraja 3.Taye Tripura Sundari (Kriti) 07:05Raga: Suddhasaveri; Tala: Khanda Chapu; Composer: Periyaswami Tooran 4. Minakshi Memudam (Kriti) … Read more
S. Rajam (1919-2010) is credited with defining the visual identity of South India’s classical music. The present recording was made at his Mylapore home on 12 December 1997 when rehearsing for a lecture-demonstration; an annual event serving to highlight rare facets of South Indian (Carnatic) music. More about this recording & Sangita Kalasikhamani S. Rajam >> Total … Read more