Grade 5 theory Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 2 types of ragams?
A
Janaka and Janya ragams
2
Q
what are the 2 types of Janaka ragas?
A
- Suddha Madhyma ragas
- Prathi Madhyma ragas
3
Q
What are the types of Janya ragas?
A
- Varja ragam
- Janya sampoornam
- Vakra ragam
- Upanga ragam
- Bhashanga ragam
- Nishthanthiya, Daivathanthiya, Panchamanthiya, Mathymanthiya ragam
4
Q
What is a Varja raga? Give an example
A
they are the types of raga where in the Arohana or Avarohana or both, 1, 2 or 3 swaras are omitted.
Example: Bilahari - 29th Melajanyam
5
Q
What is Sampoorna Shadavam? Give an example
A
Varja Ragam where arohana has all 7 swaras and avarohana has 6 swaras
Example: Ragam Bhairavam - 17th Melajanyam
6
Q
What is Shadava Sampoornam? Give an example
A
Varja ragam where arohana has 6 swaras and avarohana has 7 swaras
Example: Ragam Bhushaavalee - 64th Melajanyam
7
Q
What is Shadava Shadavam? Give an example
A
Varja ragam where arohana and avarohana have 6 swaras
Example: Sriranjani - 22nd Melajanyam
8
Q
What is Sampoorna Audavam? Give an example
A
Varja ragam where arohana has 7 swaras and avarohana has 5 swaras
Example: Garudathvani - 29th Melajanyam
9
Q
What is Audava Sampoornam? Give an example
A
Varja ragam where arohana has 5 swaras and avarohana has 7 swaras
Example: Saveri - 15th Melajanyam
10
Q
what is shadava Audavam? Give an example
A
Varja Ragam with 6 notes in arohana and 5 notes in Avarohana
Example: Bahudari - 28th Melajanyam
11
Q
what is Audava Shadavam? Give an example
A
Varja ragam with 5 notes in Arohana and 6 swaras in avarohana
Example: Bowli - 15th Melajanyam
12
Q
What is Audava Audavam? Give an example
A
Varja ragam with 5 swaras in arohana and avarohana
Example: Mohanam - 28th Melajanyam
13
Q
What are Upanga ragams? Give an example
A
Janya ragas which use notes from respective parent ragas - ie. no foreign notes (anyaswaras)
Example: Vasantha - 17th Melajanyam
14
Q
What is a Bhashanga ragam? Give an example
A
It is a ragam with one or more foreign notes (anyaswaras) from foreign ragas as well as swaras from parent ragas
Examples: Bhairavi, Bilahari, Hamir Kalyani - 65th Melajanyam
15
Q
What is an Upanga Varja ragam? Give an example
A
A Janya ragam with at least one swara missing in Arohana/Avarohana and no anyaswaras in the raga
Example: Saveri - 15th Melajanyam
16
Q
what is a Bhashanga Varja ragam? Give an example
A
Janya ragam with at least 1 swara missing in Aro/Avarohana and at least 1 foreign note in raga
Example: Mukhari - 20th Melajanyam
17
Q
what is a Arohana Varja ragam? Give an example
A
Janya ragam where swaras only missing in arohana
Example: Kalyanavasantham - 23rd Melajanyam
18
Q
what is an Avarohana Varja ragam? Give an example
A
Janya ragam where swaras are only omitted in the Avarohana
Example: Garudadwani - 29th Melajanyam
19
Q
what is an Ubhaya Varja ragam? Give an example
A
Janya ragam with one swara omitted in both arohana and avarohana
Example: Mathyamavathi
20
Q
what is a Vakra ragam? Give an example
A
Janya ragam where in Arohana or avarohana or both swaras don’t appear in consecutive order
Example: Sri ragam - 22nd Melajanyam
21
Q
what is an Upanga Vakra ragam? Give an example
A
Swaras don’t appear in consecutive order in Arohana and/or Avarohana and there are no anyaswaras
Example: Poornachandrika - 29th Melajanyam
22
Q
what is a Bhashanga Vakra ragam? Give an example
A
swaras don’t appear in consecutive order in Arohana and/or Avarohana and there will be at least one foreign note in the raga
Example: Begada - 29th Melajanyam
23
Q
What is an Arohana Vakra ragam? Give an example
A
Swaras aren’t in consecutive order in the arohana only
Example: Kadanakuthukalam - 29th Melajanyam
24
Q
what is an Avarohana Vakra ragam? Give an example
A
Swaras aren’t in consecutive order only for the Avarohana
Example: Devamanohari - 22nd Melajanyam
25
What is an Ubhaya Vakra ragam? Give an example
Swaras aren't in consecutive order in both Arohana and Avarohana
Example: Sahana
26
What is an Upanga Varja Vakra ragam? Give an example
in Arohana and/or Avarohana there will be at least one swara missing, no anyaswaras and the swaras won't be in consecutive order
Example: Suruti - 28th Melajanyam
27
What is a Bhashanga Varja Vakra ragam? Give an example
in Arohana and/or Avarohana there will be at least 1 swara missing, at least 1 anyaswara and the swaras won't be in consecutive order
Example: Mukhari - 22nd Melajanyam
28
what is an Arohana Varja Vakra ragam? Give an example
swaras will be omitted and appear in a different order only in the Arohana
Example: Purvi Kalyani - 53rd Melajanyam
29
what is an Avarohana Varja Vakra ragam? Give an example
swaras will only be omitted and in a different order in the Avarohana
example: Gowla - 15th Melajanyam
30
what is an Ubhaya Varja Vakra ragam? Give an example
Swaras will be omitted and appear in a different order in both Arohana and Avarohana
Example: Reethi Gowla
31
What is a Nishathanthiya Ragam? Give an example
Raga uses Sancharams at or below Madhya Sthayi Nishada (Ni)
Example: Nadanamakriya - 15th Melajanyam
32
What is a Daivathanthiya Ragam? Give an example
Sancharams stop at Madhya Sthayi Dhaivatha (Da)
Example: Kuranji - 29th Melajanyam
33
What is a Panchamathiya Ragam? Give an example
Sancharams stop at Madhya Sthayi Panchamam (Pa)
Example: Navaroj - 29th Melajanyam
34
What is a Gana Ragam and give examples
- ragam lends itself to singing/playing an instrument in vilamba, madhyama + duritha kalam
- much scope for imporvisation
- examples of Gana panchaga ragas: NAttai, Gowla, Arabi, Varali + Sri ragam
35
What is a Naya Ragam and give examples
- aka Rakthi ragam
- lends itslef to elaborate alapana like Gana ragam
- can be sung in 3 sthayis
- much scope for improvisation
- examples: Kalyani, Sankarabaranam
36
what is a Desiya Ragam and give examples
- lends itself to being sung with foreign ragas taking their flavour
- examples: Kaapi, Chenchuritti, Behag
37
what is a Suddha ragam and give examples
- these are taken from only one type of swaram
- 72 Melakartha ragas + Janya ragas are derived from them
- examples: Mayamalavagowla, Sriranjani, Arabi
38
What is a Chayalaka Ragam and give examples
- in this ragam there will be shades of foreign notes
- aka. Salaka ragam and Salanga ragam
- examples: Sowrashtram (sometimes shades of Sakaravakam appear), Saranga (sometimes shades of Kalyani appear)
39
what is a Sankeerna ragam and give examples
- contains sancharas of several ragas in a large measure
- aka misra ragam and sangrama ragam
- examples: Dwijavanthi (shades of Sahaha, Ketharakowlam and Ethukilakamboji appear), Ahri (shades of Vahulaparanam, Thodi and Nadabhiravi appear)
40
What is a Mithra ragam and give examples
- the ending of all these ragas will be the same
- examples: Ranjani, Sriranjani, Janaranjani, Nanoranjani, Sivaranjani
41
Give an brief description of the early life of Saint Thyagaraja Swamikal
- one of the greatest musical composers of south India + musical prodigies of all time
- born 4th May 1767 in Tiruvarur, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu
- father = Rama Brahman - exponent of Ramayanam - Thyagaraja devoted to Rama from young age
- mother's father (Vina Kalahasti Ayyar) + grandfather (Giriraja Kavi) = musicians - Thyagaraja developed strong love for music
- Age 13 - composed first song - 'Namo namo Ragavaya' in Desiya Todi
- father placed him under tutelage of Sonti Venkataramanayya - chief of Thanjavur musicians then
- when he started getting famous Venkataramanayya invited him to sing in from of leading Tiruvayaru musicians
42
What songs did Thyagaraja Swamikal perform at his first concert?
- Janaka Ramana in Suddhasumandini
- Dorukana Ituvanti in Bilahari
- an elaborated Niraval using phrase 'Kamita Phaladayaki' in charanam with variegated raga patterns of endless beauty
43
what are the compositions of Thyagaraja Swamikal?
- 1000s of Kritis + 3 operas (Prahalada Bhakti Vijaynm, Nowka Charitam, Seetharama Vijayam) - but only 700 Kritis now available in 6 categories:
1. Kritis in praise of Narasimha, Rama, Ganapathy, Subrahmanya, Tulasi, etc.
2. Pancharatna group in 5 Gana ragas - Nata, Gowla, Arabi, Varali + Sriraga
3. Divya Nama Kritis
4. Utsava Sampradaya Keerthanas
5. Prahalada Bhakti Vijayam in 5 acts - 45 Kritis, 28 ragas, 132 verses in Telugu
6. Nowka Charitam - 1 act, 21 Kritis, 13 ragas, 45 verses in Telugu
44
what are the compositions of Thyagaraja Swamikal like?
- he only composed kritis - no varnams, swarajathis, padams, javalis, ragamalikas etc.
- 1st Carnatic music composer to have employed a set of sangatis or variations in each krit to unfold in a logical sequence the posibilities of the raga employed.
- he took old melodies including folk tunes and turned them into modes of classical purity
- outstanding compositions = Pancharatna Kritis - they made him a prolific composer + they sum up his musical genius
- Pancharatna Kritis - have a deliberate scheme of melody rhythm and words - described as poetry composed to music by scholars - all 5 set to Adi Talam but complicated in their own way
- dedicated devotee to Lord Rama but also sung on several other deities - just as excellent but his songs about Rama are unique and outstanding
- his works are of delicate spirituality, full of melodic beauty and in the highest sense of artistic elements
45
Describe the later life of Thyagaraja Swamikal?
- married Parvati age 18 but after her passing away 5 years after marriage he married her sister Kamalamba
- they had a daughter Sitalakshmi who had a son Tyagaraja
- grandson had no children so Thyagaraja Swamikal's direct line ended there.
- he led the simple life of a Bhagavatha - lived on alms he collected by walking the streets of Tiruvayaru singing devotional songs
- he had many disciples who were accomplished musicians - Krishna Bhagavatar, Sundara Bhagavatar, Rama Iyengar + others
- reached the heavenly abode 6th January 1847, age 80
46
Describe the early life of Papanasam Sivan?
- one of the greatest 20th centeury composers
- born in Polagam, Nagapatnam Taluk, Thanjavur district in 1890 - second son of Ramamritha Aiyar + Yogambal
- named Ramiah at birth and had a keen interest in music
- age 7 - father died - mother + brother + him moved to Trivandrum in 1899 to seek the aid of an uncle
- while in Trivandrum he learn Malayalam and joined Maharaja's Sanskrit College - got a degree in Vyakarna in 1910
47
How did Papanasam Sivan's musical career begin?
- after his mother's death he moved from place to place for 12 years - lived by singinng devotional songs + taking food offered by people
- during this time he became known as Papanasam Sivan - he often sang in Papanasam where his brother lived + his appearance with Holy Ash (Vibuthi), Shiva Bajana and Rudraksha
- greatest influence = Neelakanda Sivan - while in Trivandrum he often sang Neelakandan Sivan's compositions in his bajans
- one day after listen to to music of Koneri Rajapuram Vaidyanatha Aiyar, Sivan approached him and asked to be taken as his disciple.
- Vaidyanathan Aiyar agreed - for 7 years Sivan went to all his concerts and began acquiring his masters style in rendering alapanas, niraval and swara prastana
48
what Papanasam Sivan's first concert like?
- at Tiruvaiyaru during during the Thyagarajah festival in 1918
- accompanied by Papa Venkatarama Aiyar on violin + Alaganambia Pillai on miruithangam
- afterwards he gave concerts all over south India and even the north
49
what was the career of Papanasam Sivan like?
- he was equally good at performing concerts and bajans but bajans won his soul
- 1934 - 1st volume of 100 kritis published
- 1965 - 2nd volume of 100 pieces released
- 3rd volume of 101 songs was released recently - with notation by his second daughter Rukmini + every form of composition
- 3rd volume has diverse forms like varnam, padam, kriti and ragamalika
- he has given more than 1o pieces in Todi each with a different melodic structure
- he even composed songs for the Tamil Cinema industry - most common from the film "Sita Kalyanam"
- he acted in 2 or 3 films later in his career
- taught at Besant High School, Adyar for a few years on request of Rukhmini Devi
50
did PApanasam Sivan get married?
- yes, in 1917 by the efforts of Subramania Aiyar
- he had 2 daughters - Neela Ramamurthi and Rukhmini Ramani - both musicians
- he had 1 disciple - Mani
51
What were the achievements of Papanasam Sivan?
- Madras Music Academy gave him an award - honour of "Sangitha Kalanidhi"
- Tamil Isai Sangam gave him title of "Isai Peraringer"
- he received president's award in 1962
52
when did Papanasam Sivan pass away?
- he died on 1st October 1973
- considered one of the pillars of Carnatic music and will be respected as eminent 20th century composer
53
What is a Varnam?
- It is a composition which portrays the beauty and individuality of a ragam with saktiya or words
- one of the most important musical forms
- during training = last item to learn BUT first item in concerts
The link between Abhyasa Gaana (songs for learning) and Sabha Gaana (songs for performance)
54
What is found in a Varnam and how do these make them important?
- they have important and beautiful sancharams of the ragas in which they were composed
- learning + practicing varnams will benefit vocalists +instrumentalist a lot
- this will help to sing/play other musical forms like krithis and keerthanams which proper games
- Sahityam will be brief - they illustrated ideas of love and devotion. Sometimes also portrays the greatness of the patrons of music
55
What is the structure of a Varnam? (Anga variations)
- Pallavi, Anupallavi, Mukthayi swaram (Poorvangam)
- Charanam + Charana swaras (Uttarangam)
- Charanam = Upapallavi, Ettukadai Pallavi, Chittai Pallavi
- Charana swaras = Ettukadai Swaras, Chittai Swaras
56
What are the 4 types of varnams?
- Tana Varnam
- Pada Varnam
- Padajati Varnam
- Ragamalikai Varnam
57
What is a Tana Varnam?
- mainly used in Carnatic music
- in the form of Tanams
- Sahityam only for Pallavi, Anupallavi and Charanam
- practicing varnams in 2 or 3 speeds will give a good knowledge of swarasthana and talam
- composed in different talams - eg. Kanda Triputa, Chatusra Ada, Kanda Ada, Misra Jampa
58
What is a Pada Varnam?
- aka Chowka Varnam
- mainly used for dance
- composed in Chowka Kalam (sometimes Madhyama Kalam)
- swara part is suitable for various footworks of dancer
- Sahitya part is meant for abhinaya
- there are sahityas throughout the whole varnam
59
What is a Padajati Varnam?
A Varnam where some jatis are included into the body of the Varnam
60
What is a Ragamalikai Varnam?
- A Varnam where each part of the Varnam will be in a different ragam
- structure is sometimes similar to Pada Varnam, sometimes to Tana Varnam
- examples: Navaragamalikai Varnam, Ghana Ragamalikai Varnam, Dinaragamalikai varnam
61
Who are some composers of Tana Varnams?
- Shyama Shastri
- Swati Tirunal
- Tiger Varadachariar
62
Who are some composers of Pada Varnams?
- Ramaswami Dikshitar
- Muthuswamy Dikshitar
- Ramaswami Sivan
63
Why are Varnams an introductory piece in concerts?
- they awaken a good knowledge of swarasthana and talam
- they are also pleasing melodies to listen too
- they also allow musicians to show their fill potential during concerts
64
What is a Keerthanam?
- It comes under the sacred musical form
- aka Vaidika Gaanam
65
What themes are found in the Sahityam of a Keerthanam?
- it will be about praising God, begging for his forgiveness etc.
- sometimes may be connected with some puranic incidents
66
What is the structure of a Keerthanam?
- it's music and rhythm is simple
- Sahityam is more important than Swaras and there are few sangathis
- many words and all charanams are sung to the same dhatu
- sometimes Charanam has same music as the Pallavi
- keerthanams give birth to kritis - it has 3 divisions: Pallavi, Anupallavi and Charanam
- sometimes there is more than one Charanam but they all have the same pattern of Swaras
- decorative angas eg. Chittai Swaras, swara sahityas aren't there but occasionally there are Madhyama Kala Sahityams
67
Who can sing keerthanams?
People with basic musical knowledge will be able to sing keerthanams because they are composed in familiar ragas
68
Who can sing keerthanams?
People with basic musical knowledge will be able to sing keerthanams because they are composed in familiar ragas
69
What is a Ragamalikai Keerthanam?
- follows the same structure as a normal Keerthanam but sometimes the Anupallavi may be omitted
- each part of it will be in a different ragam
70
Who are some composers of keerthanams?
- Thyagaraja Swamikal
- Neela Kanda Sivan
- Papanasam Sivan
71
Who are some composers of keerthanams?
- Thyagaraja Swamikal
- Neela Kanda Sivan
- Papanasam Sivan
72
what are swarajathis?
- they are pleasing melodies
- learnt after the Geethams
- stepping stone to the next important composition: the Varnam - Swarajathi helps students learn them to their full potential
73
what is the structure of a Swarajathi?
- Pallavi, Anupallavi, Charanam
- there will be any charanams set to different dhatus
- some swarajathis don't have anga Anupallavi
73
what are the themes of swarajathis?
- Sahityam will express the sentiments of bakthi, love and courage
74
when are swarajathis used?
- they are Abhyasa Gaanas - used for learning
- sometimes they are used for dance in the structure swara-sahityam-jathi (solfa passage + appropriate sahitya and jathi)
75
What are the swarajathis of Shyama Sastri?
- 3 of his swarajathis are in ragams Bhairavi, Thodi and Yadhukulakamboji
- often sung in concerts
- deleted the elements of jathi in it and moulded the swarajathi into a concert musical form
76
who are some composers of Swarajathis?
- Shyama Sastri
- Swati Thirunal
- Krishnaswamy Bhagavatar
