art and aesthetic (semester:3)

Classical music

Arnatic music, Karnāṭaka saṃgīta or Karnāṭaka saṅgītam is a system of music commonly associated with the southern India including the modern states Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, but also practiced in Sri Lanka.^[1][2] It is one of two main subgenres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions, the other subgenre being Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form because of Persian and Islamic influences 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 śruti (the relative musical pitch), swara (the musical sound of a single note), rāga (the 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

LIGHT MUSIC 

Light Music bridges the gap between classical and popular music, although its boundaries are often blurred.¹ It is music with an immediate appeal, music to entertain and to enjoy. It has a strong emphasis on melody,² and as such, it is designed to appeal to a wider audience than more serious forms of the Western classical music tradition.

As the length and scope of orchestral music increased in the late Romantic period of classical music history (between 1850 to 1900), the Light Music genre emerged as a more accessible and enjoyable, less highbrow and less elitest alternative. Works in the genre include:

·         the operettas of Gilbert & Sullivan and Offenbach,

·         the waltzes and marches of Johann Strauss II and his family,

·         the marches of J.P.Sousa,

·         tuneful orchestral music by composers such as Eric Coates, Leroy Anderson, Ernest Tomlinson and Robert Farnon.

Palm court music, symphonic jazz, ballet music, show music, arrangements of popular songs and ballads, film music and television themes are all part of the Light Music repertoire.

PATRIOTIC SONG

This happens on and around days like the independence and republic day, and I feel very touched when I listen to patriotic songs. I feel moved with realizations of so many precious sacrifices of life to bring my country to a state of freedom. Sometimes they bring me to tears too! I am otherwise not very patriotic but I really like patriotic music about celebration of the current diversity and independence.

FOLK MUSIC

                                  can refer to both traditional types of music and the modernnotion of folk music that arose during the 1960s in the United States. Traditional folk music has been around as long as music itself, but the term “folk music" wasn't really used until the 1800s.

Traditional fold music— sometimes called world music — can be hard to define, but there are several common characteristics that help define the genre. Traditional folk music can usually be thought of as old music by unknown composers that has been passed along orally for generations by the poor, working class.

MAPPILA SONG 

            Mappila Paattu or Mappila Song is a folklore Muslim song genre rendered to lyrics in colloquial Mappila dialect of Malayalam laced with Arabic, by the Mappilas of Malabar.^[1] Mappila songs have a distinct cultural identity, while at the same time, remain closely linked to the cultural practices of Kerala. The songs often used words from Persia, Urdu, Tamil, Hindi apart from Arabic and Malayalam, but the grammatical syntax was always based on Malayalam. They deal with themes such as religion, love, satire and heroism, and are often sung at occasions of birth, marriage and death. Mappila Paattu form an integral part of the heritage of Malayalam literature today and is regarded by some as the most popular branch of Malayalam literature, enjoyed by all communities in Kerala.

BHARATHANATYAM

            Bharatanatyam or Bharathanatiyam is a major genre of Indian classical dance that originated in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu and neighboring regions.^[1][2][3] Traditionally, Bharatanatyam has been a solo dance that was performed exclusively by women,^[4][5] and expressed Hindu religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, but also of Vaishnavism and Shaktism.^[

Bharatanatyam's theoretical foundations trace to the ancient Sanskrit text Natya Shastra,its existence by 2nd century CE is noted in the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram, while temple sculptures of 6th to 9th century CE suggest it was a well refined performance art by mid 1st millennium CE.Bharatanatyam is quite possibly the oldest classical dance tradition of India.

Bharatanatyam style is noted for its fixed upper torso, legs bent or knees flexed out combined with spectacular footwork, a sophisticated vocabulary of sign language based on gestures of hands, eyes and face muscles. The dance is accompanied by music and a singer, and typically her guru is present as the director and conductor of the performance

 MUDRAS OF BHARATHANATYAM

MOHINIYATTAM

               

    Mohiniyattam is a dance form said to have originated in Kerala. It is closely related to Bharathanatyam of Tamil Nadu, 

which was originally called 'Dasiyattam'. Originated as the temple dance performed by Devadasis, it portrays feminine love in its myriad forms - carnal, devotional and maternal- with accent more on Lasya and Bhava. In the main items Cholkettu, Padavarnam and Padam, Mudras and facial expressions are more important than the rhythmic steps. Costumes and ornaments of Mohiniyattam have much in common with female characters of Koodiyattam and Kathakali.Once Mohiniyattam was performed only in Temples premises and royal courts. The first reference to Mohiniyattam is found in 'Vyavaharamala' composed by Mazhamangalam Narayanan Namboodiri, of 16th century AD. Major contributions to this art form were given by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, Irayimman Thampi and Kuttikunju Thankachi.