Carnatic Music

Source: The Hindu (Carnatic)

Why in News?

Renowned Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna was conferred the title of ‘Sangita Kalanidhi 2024’ by Professor David Shulman, Chair, Renee Lang Professor of Humanistic Studies, and former professor of Indian Studies and Comparative Religion, Hebrew University, Jerusalem at the 98th Conference and Concerts Sadas, the traditional oriental convocation of The Music Academy in Chennai on Wednesday.

Music, as an integral part of India’s cultural heritage. Among the prominent traditions, Carnatic music holds a significant place as one of the two major classical music systems in India.

Relevance for UPSC

Prelims:

  • Key Terms: Raga, Tala, Sangita Kalanidhi, prominent Carnatic composers.
  • Institutions: The Music Academy, Chennai.

(GS Paper I- Art and Culture):

  • Interlink music with cultural diplomacy, as Indian classical music is celebrated globally.
  • Discuss its integration into NEP 2020’s emphasis on arts education.

The Sangita Kalanidhi Award: Its Legacy

  • History:
    • Instituted by The Music Academy, Chennai, in 1929, the Sangita Kalanidhi award is one of the most prestigious honors in Carnatic music.
    • Recognizes exceptional contributions to the field, promoting excellence in performance, scholarship, and preservation of the tradition.
  • 2024 Awardee: T.M. Krishna:
    • Known for his innovative approaches to Carnatic music, T.M. Krishna has played a pivotal role in making the art form more inclusive.
    • His initiatives, such as organizing music festivals in marginalized communities (e.g., Uroor Olcott Kuppam), have broadened the reach of classical music.

Carnatic Music: Key Features

  1. Structure:
    • Based on ragas (melodic frameworks) and talas (rhythmic cycles).
    • Heavily focused on compositions by classical composers like Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri.
  2. Spiritual and Cultural Essence:
    • Rooted in devotion and often performed in temples and religious gatherings.
    • Lyrics are predominantly in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Sanskrit.
  3. Aesthetics and Synaesthetics:
    • The overarching theme of the 98th Annual Conference was “Aesthetics and Synaesthetics: Reflections on Raga in Indian Art,” exploring the sensory interplay between sound, visuals, and emotions in music.
  4. Integration of Text and Melody:
    • As highlighted by Professor David Shulman, Carnatic music seamlessly weds verbal texts with melodic and rhythmic structures, creating a unique “magic of transformation.”

T.M. Krishna’s Contributions to Carnatic Music

  1. Bridging Social Gaps:
    • By performing in unconventional spaces and engaging with diverse audiences, Krishna challenges the elitism often associated with classical music.
    • Example: His 2015 music festival in Uroor Olcott Kuppam, a fishing community in Chennai.
  2. Academic Contributions:
    • Actively curates discussions and seminars on the intersection of music with philosophy, history, and aesthetics.
  3. Relevance of Carnatic Music Today:
    • His efforts have drawn younger audiences and diversified the listener base for Carnatic music.

Challenges in Reviving Carnatic Music

  1. Perception of Elitism:
    • Classical music, particularly Carnatic, is often seen as inaccessible to certain sections of society.
  2. Lack of Institutional Support:
    • Despite government initiatives, the structural challenges in promoting traditional music persist.
  3. Modern Adaptation:
    • Balancing tradition with innovation to appeal to younger generations without diluting the essence of the art.

Conclusion

Carnatic music, as highlighted by T.M. Krishna’s journey, remains a vibrant expression of India’s cultural ethos. By understanding its nuances and contemporary relevance, aspirants can connect the subject to broader themes of social justice, inclusion, and heritage preservation, aligning with the UPSC syllabus.

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