South Indian Classical (Carnatic) Music

In this section:

The art of accompaniment

The art of Carnatic accompaniment is very spontaneous and difficult to codify, yet it is an essential and powerful dimension of the Carnatic experience. The lead artiste, who may be a vocalist or melodic instrumentalist, is accompanied on a melodic instrument, usually the violin (adapted from Western music in the 1800s), and on one or many rhythm instruments, led by either the mrdangam or tavil. Both kinds of accompanists skilfully follow the lead artiste’s music in real time, providing a backdrop, shadowing the ideas, engaging in call-and-response, or even backing off into silence, responding to the music as they see fit.

Instruments

While Carnatic music affords a lot of importance to vocal music, it also encompasses a wide variety of instruments that can express or enhance the music in their own ways.

Some instruments in the hands of some their most iconic practitioners:

Melodic

Melodic Instruments

Veena

An ancient Indian fretted lute

(artiste: S Balachander)

Bamboo Flute

(artiste: T R Mahalingam)

Violin

Adapted into Carnatic music over 150 years ago. Popular as lead instrument as well as for melodic accompaniment.

(artiste: Dwaram Venkataswami Naidu)

Chitravina

fretless version of the veena (read more)

(artiste: Gottuvadyam Narayana Ayyangar)

Nadaswaram

a double-reed wooden wind instrument

(artiste: T N Rajarathnam Pillai)

Rhythmic

Rhythmic Instruments

Mrdangam

A double-sided hand drum with a variety of treble and bass tones. Chief instrument for rhythmic accompaniment.

(artiste: Pazhani Subramania Pillai)

Tavil

A double-sided drum with a strong, bright tone, played with the hand on one side and a stick on the other. Primary rhythmic accompaniment for the nadaswaram.

(artiste: Valangaiman Shanmugasundaram Pillai)

Ghatam

An earthen pot with a narrow neck that produces tones when struck. Played with a variety of strokes involving the fingers, fists, palms, and the body.

(artiste: T H ‘Vikku’ Vinayakaram)

Kanjira

A frame drum with an attached pair of cymbals. Strokes are played with one hand while the other bends the surface to modulate the sound.

(artiste: G Harishankar)

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