Karnataka/Carnatic music

Karnataka Sangeeta and AKA Carnatic Music (anglicized name or possibly came during later period of Mogul rule 1) came to a formal existence during mid 14th century. It was founded by Sri Purandara Daasa 2 who is known as 'Karnataka Sangeeta Pitamaha'(father of Karnataka music). He scientifically formulated the complete music and stipulated method to teach Karnaataka music for all ages. Before that there were scattered forms of music spread through-out India along with some influence of Persian music. Purandara Daasa composed simple songs to detailed kirtanes that influenced many other great Karnataka music composers to develop it into a one of most popular classical music of the world. His estimated 47500 compositions might have influenced directly or indirectly compositions by many others later. He and other daasas introduced the concept of elaborating raaga characteristics through lyric based freestyle 'Ugaabogas' now also has taken a form of lyric-less 'alapanas'. He also influenced the development of post 15th century Hindustani music through Sri Haridaasa, guru of the legendary Hindustani music composer Ustad Tansen.[refer 1957. Other details AbOUT Karnataka music can be found in several websites that use name Carnatic music3.

The works of Purandara Dasa4 (1480 - 1564) that took place during the peak of Vijayanagar dynasy 5 was immediately followed by Kanaka Daasa, Vijaya Daasa and others 6. Evolutionary works were done during 1750-1850 by great-three Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri who extensively expanded Karnataka music based on the foundation laid by Sri Purandara Daasa. Majority of later compositions were in Telagu and Sanskrit languages. Leading compositions were made by Sri Thyagaraja whose family had moved to Tamil Nadu from Andhra Pradesh during the Vijayanagar period in early 1600’s. Tyagaraja's mother Seethamma was from musicians family and follower of Sri Purandara Daasa. She had a collection of the Purandaradasa and taught them to her son 7 Tyagaraja praises Purandara Daasa in “Prahalada Bhakti Vijayam”.8

Some of the prominent composers of Karnaataka music include but not limited to Swathi Thirunal, Patnam Subramania Iyer, Mysore Vasudevachar, Muthiah Bhagavathar, Papanasam Sivan, Bhadrachala Ramadasu, Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, Veena Sheshanna, Veena Subbanna, Bidaram Krishnappa, Bhairavi Kempegowda, Bala Murali Krishna and T. Chowdiah. The compositions of these and many other composers are rendered in concerts today.

There is an extensive list of Karnataka music artists that can be found in many websites that include Bala Murali Krishna,Sudha Ragunaathan, Bombay Sisters, Madolin Srinivas and others. Some of the past and present Karnataka classical musicians of Kannada/Karnataka language/place where Karnataka music originated include but not limited to M.S Subbulakshmi9, RK Srikantan, TK Govinda Rao, Raj Iyengar, flute BN Suresh, Veena Doraiswamy Iyengar, , MS Sheela, Flute Srinath, harmonium Arunaachalappa, Mysore Brothers(violin) Nagaraj and Manjunath etc.. Artists like Vidyaa Bhushana, Sudha Ragunathan (following her guru MLV) are reviving the glory of 'Ugaaboogas' introduced by daasas 10. See enclosed references for more information and also search Karnataka Music or Carnatic music on web.11

References

Satyanarayana, R. “Karnataka Music,” Ananya: A Portrait of India. Association of Indians in America, 1997.

Karnaataka Apoorva Raaga Compositions Index/compiled by R. Anantha Subrahmanya Iyer. Chennai, Karnatic Music, 2000, 124 p., $11 (pbk).

Kruti Shreni, D.V.G. “Namma Sangita,” D.V.G.Kruti Shreni Volume 10. Karnataka: Directorate of Kannada and Culture, 1999.

Thirumale Sisters, Karnataka Sangita Darpana.Bangalore: Sinivasa Prakashana, 2001

Sangeeta Kalaravinda, Sri Sheshaadri Gavaai, Aravinda School of Music, Bangalore.[1957]

Dr. R. Satyanarayana. Haridasas and Karnataka music. MusicResearch.in. Retrieved on 2007-09-22. 12