What is Carnatic music?

A four - part lecture series on understanding and appreciating Carnatic, i.e, South Indian classical music will be conducted at the Indian Cultural Centre, starting from Tuesday, June 19 onwards.

In the lecture series the aspects of abyasaganam, compositions, manodharma sangeedham, the concept of a classical concert, tala vadyam and instrumental orchestration will be highlighted. All the elements that are explained will be demonstrated in the vocal form and on the instruments. The spiritual and religious aspects of the music will also be discussed.

Deshanethru Kalasuri Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan, eminent vocalist and musicologist will conduct the lecture series and will provide the vocal demonstrations along with her accompanists. Kalasuri Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan is a senior broadcaster, musician, composer and choreographer.

The first lecture will outline some basic concepts of Carnatic music like raga, swara, abyasaganam, and also some music compositions like jathiswaram and gitam. The second lecture will focus on the raga system and 72 melakartas and the system of 35 talas. Mrs. Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan will demonstrate the different ragas and talams with accompanying artistes on the mirudangam, violin, veena & tanpura.

The third lecture will contain an introduction to varnam, keerthanam and raga alpana. The important instruments used in Carnatic concerts will be displayed. The fourth and final lecture will provide a brief introduction to Tamil folk music and will also delineate the elements of a classical concert. Ms. Sri Ranganathan will introduce the audience to the great musical composers of Carnatic music and will give an overview of recent developments in the field.

The lectures will be held at the Indian Cultural Centre on Tuesday June 19 Thursday 21, Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Further details can be obtained from the Indian Cultural Centre, tel: 2500014.