Carnatic Music for Beginners - Basic Lessons

Introduction to Carnatic Music:

Namasthe one and all
Welcome to your First class on Carnatic Music.
I am Neelaveni Athreyapurapu and I am really excited to take you all through this exciting musical journey.
Before going directly into the Chapter exercises, let’s learn the whereabouts of Carnatic Music.
Carnatic music is one of the Ancient and Systematic Approach towards Swaras.
Carnatic music owes its name to the Sanskrit term Karnataka Sangita which denotes “traditional” or “codified” music.

Purandara Dāsa (1484-1564)3, a prolific poet-composer and mystic of Vijayanagar, introduced a music course that is followed to the present day. Since the 17th century, hundreds of rāga-s (melody types) have been distributed among the 72 melakarta rāgas (scales).

Now, Let’s start with our First Chapter ie; saraliswaras
Chapter : 1 Saraliswaralu

Raga: Mayamalavagowla (15th melakartha Ragam)
Arohana:SR1G3M1D1N3S
Avarohana:SN3D1PM1G3R1S
The name Sarali means, “Simple or easy “and Swara means “note”
They are 7 basic notes known as “Saptha Swaras”
They are,
1. Shadja
2. Rishabam
3. Gandharam
4. Madyamam
5. Panchamam
6. Divatham
7. Nishadam

These swaras are reputed and inspired by” Nature” like by sounds of Birds and animals such as:
Shadjam(Sa)- Peacock
Rishabam(Ri)-Ox
Gandharam(Ga)-Goat
Madhyama(ma)-Krounch bird
Panchamam(Pa)-Cuckoo
Divatam(Da)-Horse
Nishada(Ni)-Elephant
SaraliSwaras
Sarali swaras was composed in the Ragam “Mayamalavagowla “which is 15th Melakartharaga and in Adi thalam.
The Swarasthanas are Shadjam,sudda Rishabham, AntaraGandharam,Sudda madhyamam,Panchamam,Sudda Daivatham and kakali Nishadam.
Arohana(Ascending Order): SR1G2M1PD1N2S
Avarohana(Descending order):SN2D1PM1G2RS

The Ascending and Descending order of the raga is as follows
Angas: The Talam name Aditala.
The Angas distribution is, 1 laghu (4 beats) +2 Druthas(2Beats of each)Total 8Beats.

The first Saralivarsai is a plain ascent and decent of the notes of the Raga and the remaining varsais were different in their patterns in order to learn the swarasthanas properly.

Showing the method of singing Sarali Swaras in Three Kalas

First Kala – One Swara for an Akshara

1.  S
2.  R
3.  G
4.  M
5.  P
6.  D
7.  N
8.  S

Second Kala – Two Swaras for an Akshara

1. SR
2. GM
3. PD
4. NS
5. SN
6. DP
7. MG
8. RS

Third Kala _ Four Swaras for an Akshara

1. SRGM
2. PDNS
3. SNDP
4. MGRS
5. SRGM
6. PDNS
7. SNDP
8. MGRS