Journey via Carnatic Music
Welcome to Journey via Carnatic Music—an exploration of life through melody, rhythm, and reflection.
Carnatic music, one of the two major traditions of Indian classical music (the other being Hindustani music), traces its origins to ancient Indian texts known as the Vedas, particularly the Sama Veda, where hymns were first set to musical patterns. Over centuries, these evolved into a structured system centered around seven fundamental notes—forming the backbone of this rich and expressive art form.
This concert is conceptualized as a metaphorical journey through life, following a protagonist as they move through stages of growth, experience, reflection, and ultimately, self-realization.
Awakening: The Beginning of Awareness
The journey begins with a gentle awakening—symbolizing birth and the first stirrings of consciousness.
Melukovayya in raga Bhowli (Khanda Chapu – 5 beats) evokes serenity and quiet emergence, setting the tone for the path ahead.
Childhood: Joy and Playfulness
The next phase captures the innocence and carefree nature of childhood.
Raminchuvarevarura in ragam Suposhini (Adi Talam – 8 beats) is a lively and rhythmic composition, reflecting youthful exuberance. Its crisp phrasing and buoyant energy are reminiscent of marching band influences that entered Indian music during the colonial era.
Growth and Fulfillment: The Productive Years
As the journey progresses, we enter a phase of ambition, effort, and achievement.
Anandamruthakarshini, presented as the main piece of the concert, is associated with the evocative imagery of rain—symbolizing nourishment, growth, and abundance. The presentation includes alapana (melodic improvisation), the composition itself, and further improvisational elements, culminating in an interactive segment where the audience participates in recreating the soundscape of rain and thunder. Ragam Amritavarshini (Adi Talam – 8 beats)
Reflection: The Complexity of Life
With time and experience comes a more nuanced understanding of life. Clear binaries of right and wrong begin to dissolve into complexity, context, and perspective.
Na Donkaadare Yenu delves into this introspection by raising a profound philosophical question:
Can we truly separate the doer from the deed?
Does an action define the entirety of a person, or is there a deeper essence beyond individual actions?
The composition explores this idea through evocative natural imagery:
- If a river flows in a crooked path, is the water it carries crooked?
- If sugarcane grows in a bent form, does its sweetness change?
- If a flower blooms unevenly, does its fragrance become uneven?
Through these metaphors, the composer invites the listener to move beyond surface judgments and consider the distinction between action and identity. The piece ultimately becomes a meditation on discernment, compassion, and deeper self-awareness.
Ragam Desh (Adi Talam – 8 beats)
Resolution: The Search for Truth
The journey culminates in a quest for ultimate truth.
For musicians, this truth is often found within the seven musical notes themselves—the building blocks of all melody.
The concert concludes with a thillana, celebrating the convergence of these notes into the primordial sound of Om, symbolizing unity, transcendence, and absolute truth.
Ragam Purvi (Rupaka Talam- 6 beats)
Acknowledgments
Grateful thanks to the North Carolina Museum of Art for this opportunity, and to accompanying artists Prabha and Tejaswi for their collaboration.