raagarasika

We conclude our introductory series on talams, with a discussion on two chapu talams: misra chapu talam and kanda chapu talam. Vidya illustrates these talams using snippets from concert recordings of master musicians Smt. Brinda and Smt. Mukta; and Smt. D. K. Pattammal.

We continue our discussions of talas from the previous episode and name the seven basic talas in Carnatic music. Vidya highlights two very common talas: Rupaka tala and the Adi tala. She then explains the angas that make up these talas, and illustrates these with snippets from concert recordings of master musicians Sri G. N. Balasubramaniam and Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi.

In this episode, we introduce the fundamentals of rhythm. Vidya explains how rhythm manifests itself in Carnatic music and discusses terms such as laya, kala, and tala. We finish this episode by defining the basic constituents of tala, called "angas".

In this episode, we introduce the fundamentals of rhythm. Vidya explains how rhythm manifests itself in Carnatic music and discusses terms such as laya, kala, and tala. We finish this episode by defining the basic constituents of tala, called "angas".

In this segment, we look at the some more of the highlights of this short yet marvelous composition. Vidya uses this composition to showcase some of the salient phrases of this raaga and also illustrates the concept of improvisation known as “Neraval” in Carnatic music.

In this segment, we look at the some more of the highlights of this short yet marvelous composition. Vidya uses this composition to showcase some of the salient phrases of this raaga and also illustrates the concept of improvisation known as “Neraval” in Carnatic music.

In this episode, we feature a popular composition "Maamava Meenakshi", by Sri. Muthusamy Dikshithar in the Raaga Varali. We begin this episode by talking about the history of the temple town of Madurai in South India -- known for the Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple. Vidya walks us through the structure and meaning of this brilliant piece.

In this episode, we feature a popular composition "Maamava Meenakshi", by Sri. Muthusamy Dikshithar in the Raaga Varali. We begin this episode by talking about the history of the temple town of Madurai in South India -- known for the Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple. Vidya walks us through the structure and meaning of this brilliant piece.

We finish our analysis of Smt. Veena Dhanammal's Raagamalika thanam, by covering the remaining ghana raaga, Varali. Vidya explains how Smt. Dhanammal uses the two common notes between Sri (the previous raaga in the thanam) and Varali to transition from one to the other. Vidya also sings an improvisational segment to illustrate such a transition in sharp detail. Finally, Vidya highlights some of the salient aspects of Varali including the unique gandharam.

We continue our analysis of Smt. Veena Dhanammal's Raagamalika thanam. We discuss Sri raagam in this episode and Vidya points out some of the salient aspects of this raaga. Specifically, Vidya elaborates on the unique relationship between the rishabham and gandharam notes in Sri Ragam. She also highlights the key difference between the Thyagaraja and Dikshitar schools in handling this raaga.