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