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Indian classical music is categorized under two genres.
They are Hindustani and Carnatic. Broadly Hindustani developed in
the northern regions of the country, while Carnatic music is indigenous to the south
of India. It is considered one of the oldest systems of music in the world. It is
imbued with emotion and gives scope for the spirit of improvisation However it also
contains a scientific approach. This is mainly due to the contributions of inspired
artists as Purandara Dasa, who is known as the Father of Carnatic Music,
and other scholars who codified the system of music and gave it a clear format as
a medium of teaching, performing, prayer and therapy. The basis of Carnatic music
is the system of ragas, which are melodic scales and talas
or rhythmic cycles. There are seven rhythmic cycles and 72 fundamental ragas. All
other ragas are considered to have stemmed from these. An elaborate scheme exists
for identifying these scales, and they are known as the 72 Melakarta Ragas.
Carnatic music abounds in structured compositions in the
different ragas. These are songs composed by great artists and handed down through
generations to disciples. While the improvised elaboration of a raga varies from
musician to musician, the structured portion is set. These compositions are extremely
popular, with a strong accent on rhythm and lively melodic patterns. The three saint
composers of the nineteenth century, Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama
Shastri, have composed thousands of songs that remain favourites among musicians
and audiences.
An important element of Carnatic music is its devotional content. The lyrics of
the traditional compositions, whether mythological or social in nature, are set
entirely against a devotional or philosophical background.
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