God's Language 'Music'
- In History & Culture
- 05:18 PM, Mar 09, 2015
- MyIndMakers
This is an attempt to translate the original narration of 'Mr. Naga Ambatipudi'. Readers agree that it can't replace the original expressions, if not the intent.
The writer is relating Music to the larger context of the Universe and the Omnipresent.
Omkaram, simply OM, which is as old as the creation is the most ancient sound, emanating from the celestial bodies. It is believed to have transcended through the Mahathi Veena of sage Narada engulfing the entire human race. Humans in turn have taken music to ecstatic levels in Bhakti and Bhava treat of music literature. Great scholars did weave systems into music and literature to make them scholarly, cohesive and scientific.
In the South of India, we call it 'Karnataka or Carnatic music'. The Trinity who brought this form to the forefront were Saint Composers Sri Sadguru Thyagaraja, Sri Syama Sastry and Sri Muthuswami Deekshitar, who were preceded by Saint Purandaradasa (aptly titled as the Father of Karnataka music) alongwith contemporary saint-composers such as Annamacharya (who composed and sang thousands of songs in the praise of Lord Venkateswara).
Another great composer and singer belonging to the later generation than the above was Sri Ramadasu of Bhadrachalam who sang in the praise of Lord Rama in popular folklore tones without losing the Carnatic classical base.
During the 'Bhakthi movement', music played a crucial role in national rejuvenation since it was and is one of the foremost recognized forms of worship by the Hindus. Bhajans are the format of music followed north of India whereas Sankirtana is the format followed South of India, who by the way also follow ‘mass musical concerts’ and ‘street renditions’.
Fast forward to the Current Century which witnessed Karnataka musical stalwarts such as MS Subbalakshmi, M BalamuraliKrishna, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and innumerable other singers who contributed immensely to this legacy and format of music.
Famous musicians (on instruments) who played solo and as well as played as “accompanying artists” include Chittibabu (veena), Karaikudi Mani (mridangam), Vaidyanathan (violin), Srinivas (mandolin) and Mahalingam (flute) are only a few names who held their own.
It is no wonder that compositions, though mostly made in Telugu language are sung widely in Tamil Nadu and Kerala but carry the name Karnataka sangeetam, thus proving the harmonious and amalgamated synthesis of Music, Literature and Bhakthi.
States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu followed by Kerala and also Andhra Pradesh have adopted Karnataka music almost as a household hobby. In popularizing Karnataka music, TV media has played an enormous role by encouraging talent for music in general with a whopping business potential of 3000 crore rupees. Hope and pray that this immensely important medium of propagating a great tradition achieves global proportions in the near future.
Comments