ABout the art forms

Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with southern India, including the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, as well as Sri Lanka. It is one of two main subgenres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient traditions, the other subgenre being Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form because of Persian or Islamic influence in northern India. The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gāyaki (singing) style.

Although there are stylistic differences, the basic elements of sruti (the relative musical pitch), swara (the musical sound of a single note), raga (melodic mode or melodic formulæ), and tala (the rhythmic cycles) form the foundation of improvisation and composition in both Carnatic and Hindustani music. Although improvisation plays an important role, Carnatic music is mainly sung through compositions, especially the kriti (or kirtanam) — a form developed between the 14th and 20th centuries by composers such as Purandara Dasa and the Trinity of Carnatic music. Carnatic music is also usually taught and learned through compositions.

Carnatic music at Silambam also encompasses percussion and rhythmic vocal art forms. Nattuvangam is a unique and intricate form of vocal percussion with cymbals that accompanies certain Indian classical dance forms. Konnakol is the art of vocalizing percussive beats and syllables, involving a deep knowledge of rhythm and math. The mridangam is a two-headed percussive instrument traditionally used in Carnatic music accompaniment.

The Flute, known as the venu or pullanguzhal in the Carnatic tradition, is a side-blown bamboo instrument and one of the oldest wind instruments associated with Indian classical music, closely linked to Lord Krishna in Hindu iconography. It is typically made from a single piece of bamboo with a blowing hole and eight finger holes, played without keys or mechanical parts, relying instead on the performer's breath control and finger technique to produce its tone. In keeping with the gāyaki style central to Carnatic music, the venu is prized for its ability to closely emulate the human voice, rendering gamakas (the ornamental oscillations essential to raga expression) with the same fluidity and nuance found in vocal performance. It is used both as a solo concert instrument and in ensemble accompaniment within the Carnatic tradition.

At Silambam, music lessons include both Carnatic music classes (vocal, violin, and flute), and music as an ancillary to dance (vocal, layam and nattuvangam). Dedicated lessons in konnakol and mridangam are also offered for students who wish to pursue studies in Carnatic percussion. Emphasis is placed on a strong foundation of basics and perfecting sruti, swara, raga, and tala techniques, while kindling and maintaining the student's interest through the teaching of short pieces.

Our music track students progress through the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of the Silambam music curriculum, whereas our dance track students proceed through the beginner and intermediate levels of the music curriculum and then move to layam, sollukattu, thattukazhi, and nattuvangam training to supplement their dance education.

Faculty

Vocal: Shalini Srivathson

Violin: Raji Natarajan

Mridangam: Naga Shrinidhi Kuruvada

Flute: Srikar Satish

Nattuvangam: Dr. Lavanya Rajagopalan

Curriculum

Beginner

Introduction to sruti and tala, sarali and jantai varisai, nottuswarams, simple geethams

Intermediate Prerequisite: Beginner

Jantai and dhaatu varisai, understanding tala patterns, alankarams, nottuswarams, geethams, introduction to swarajathis

MUSIC TRACK

Advanced 1 Prerequisite: Intermediate

Swarajathis, varnams, perfecting gamakas.

Advanced 2 Prerequisite: Advanced 1

Varnams, krithis, introduction to manodharma

Advanced 3 Prerequisite: Advanced 2

Krithis, manodharma