NAVYA C
LANGUAGE OR MUSICAL POWRESS?
Any form of music inherently comprises of two major aspects which stand out. The first obvious aspect is musical prowess like tempo, pitch, dynamics and the complexities of presentation. The second important aspect goes to the language and the way in which it is pronounced. A great composition can be perceived with the right proportions of these two aspects. There is a debate which goes in Carnatic Music which says that many artists ignore the linguistic beauty of the compositions but focus more on the musical brilliance.
While musical prowess is also important for a composition, ignoring the beauty of a language makes it incomplete for sure. In Carnatic compositions like Pancharatna Kritis( Saadhinchene, Yendaro Mahanubhavulu) and lyrically brilliant ones like Entha Nerchina( Suddha Dhanyasi) and Manasuloni Marmamunu( Hindolam), lyrics bring an altogether new flavor to the composition. In fact, showing emphasis on lyrical beauty brings a new dimension to the rasikas.
A lyrical dimension for a composition also makes the listener appreciate the thought of the composer who linked the tune with great musical magic. In order to bring musical excellence, some of the performing artists divide the phrases of a composition in odd placements which actually impacts the aesthetic beauty of the performance. But with ample care in understanding the nuances of the composition’ s language, the performer can reach greater realms of appreciating the beauty of a genre.
This feature doesn’ t confine to only Carnatic Music alone but also for all genres of music. In fact, even an instrumentalist needs to understand the lyrical beauty of a composition to emote better and bring a great feel to a performance. The main reason for this is because- there is lot of a thought and opinion which goes in writing a lyric which deserves to be thrown light on. Language is one of the most essential forms of expression and bringing an opinion out in a thumping manner. A learned artist would greatly balance the linguistic aspects along with musical brilliance hand in hand.
Even as rasikas, there is a need to throw emphasis on both these aspects and embrace musical art in its purest form. Here are some of greatest Carnatic compositions where highlighting language brings amazing listening experience.
1. Chakkani Raaja Maargam- Kharaharapriya Raagam- Saint Thyagaraja
2. Gnanamosagaraada- Poorvikalyani Raagam- Saint Thyagaraja
3. Rangapura Vihaara- Brindavana SaarangaRaagam- Muttuswami Dikshitar
4. Kamakshi Amba- Bhairavi Raagam- Syama Sastry
5. Maanasa Sancharare- Saama Raagam- Mysore Vasudevachari
6. Odanu Jaripe- Saaranga Raagam- Saint Thyagaraja-( From Nouka Charitam)
7. Manasa Yetulorthune- Malayamarutham Raagam-Saint Thyagaraja
8. Nagumomu Ganaleni- Abheri Raagam- Saint Thyagaraja
9. Adivo Alladivo- Madhyamavati Raagam- Annamayya
10. Brahmamokkate- Bouli Raagam- Annamayya
The Score Magazine
26 highonscore. com