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What exactly is music? One
may be tempted to reply, "Elementary, my dear Watson! Anything that is
musical to the ears is music!”
It is by no means an easy
task to define music but one may understand it as a special means of
communication through organised, regular vibrations. Audible frequencies
can be classified on the basis of regularity of vibrations into noise,
sound and music. (Strictly speaking, sound encompasses both noise and music
but here it is being used to denote something in-between.) We hear noise, listen to sound and enjoy music. If we don't enjoy it,
it won't be music to us. Thus we come across people
with a wide range of tastes and expectations, who may agree or disagree as
to what music is. For instance, a person who likes fast exciting
rhythm-based music may find slow
'alapana' or
songs dreary and boring. On the contrary, a person who adores peaceful,
tranquil melodies may find the super-fast stuff quite unmusical. In
fact, to such a
person, super-fast music may well fall under the category of noise!
High-class music will have its loyal followers irrespective of country,
region, religion, race or age.
Like many other systems
across the world, Carnatic music can be appreciated mainly at two levels -
emotional or intellectual. It has generally been observed that the majority,
at least in the initial stages, go by 'what it does to their heart'. But
gradually they seek to understand more in order to enjoy the music better.
Of course, there are many who enjoy it for spiritual, philosophical and
other reasons.
A good music system is one
wherein both the emotional and intellectual aspects are present in even
measure. Such a system must also have enough instant appeal to attract the unexposed
listener, as well as lasting value and substance in order to stand the test
of time and thorough analysis. Carnatic music commands world-wide respect,
admiration and following for being one such system. It is also one of the
most ancient music systems in the world and is governed by well-defined
theoretical principles, which however don't jeopardize the practical and
aesthetic expression of music. The performing tradition also extends back to
several generations.
Carnatic music is one of
the two major systems of classical music in India, the other being
Hindustani music.
One of its greatest virtues is that while it is among the most
scientifically evolved independent systems in the world, it has also managed
to take in desirable aspects from any system and adopt them with an enviable
catholicity of outlook, without in any way prejudicing its originality and
individuality. For instance, the
violin has been successfully adopted from the West, just as a few
ragas have
been incorporated from Hindustani music.
Some of the key terms you
will come across when dealing with Carnatic music are: Raga, Tala,
Kriti, Varnam, Padam, Javali, Tillana, Alapana, Tanam, Neraval, Kalpanaswara and Tani
Avartanam. You will find out more about these in the subsequent
sections! But before that, here are some tips to appreciate Carnatic music!
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