Archive of Karnāṭaka Saṃgīta

Namo Namo Raghukula Nayaka 

Ragam: Nattai Talam: Rupakam Composed by Annamacharya (1408-1503) in Sanskrit

In this song, Annamacharya prays to Lord Rama, narrating his great deeds of punishing the wicked and protecting the pious. 

Maha Ganapathim — Raga: Nattai

Composed by Muthuswami Dikshitar (1776-1835) in Sanskrit

Jayanthi Kumaresh, Raga Kapi - Thillana

Kanakasaila - Raga Punnāga Varāḷi - sung by Sanjay Subrahmanyan

Purandaradasa, “Candle in a Hurricane”

“Purandaradasa’s greatest contribution to Kannada literature is that, at a time when Sanskrit scholars looked down upon vernacular literatures, he demonstrated that, in face of a long-established, highly respected Sanskrit tradition, Kannada was eminently suitable for literary composition of a high order. Furthermore, by employing colloquialisms from the common man’s spoken dialects, he showed that the vitality of language lives in the actual, day-to-day speech of its users, not in the formulaic and uninspiring compositions in an artificial language of the royal court and religious institutions.” (from Purandaradasa: An Introductory Note by Rama R. Rao)

Purandara Dāsa (1484–1564) is a prominent composer of Carnatic music. He is widely referred to as the Pitamaha (”great father”) of Carnatic Music in honour of his significant contribution to Carnatic music. He formulated the basic lessons of teaching Carnatic music and at the same time, he introduced the Raga Mayamalavagowla as the first scale to be learnt by beginners in the field. He also composed Gitas (simple songs) for novice students. 

Purandara Dasa addressed social issues in addition to worship in his compositions. Purandara Dasa’s Carnatic music compositions are mostly in Kannada; some are in Sanskrit. He signed his compositions with the mudra (pen name), “Purandara Vittala” (Vittala is one of the incarnations of the Hindu god, Vishnu).

Kanakasaila Viharini - Raga Punnāga Varāḷi - sung by MS Subbulakshmi

Kurai Onrum Illai (குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை)

composed in Tamil by C. Rajagopalachari (1878 – 1972), Indian politician, freedom-fighter and Governor-General of India

This song is unique due to the fact that it does not assume the tone of devoted prayer as do most Hindu devotional songs, but rather one of thankfulness to God. The song comprises 3 stanzas each set in three different ragas, addressing Lord Vishnu as Venkateswara and Krishna interchangeably.

It may have been inspired by an incident which took place in the Tirupati Venkateswara temple in 1925, when Rajagopalachari had defended the right of a Dalit to enter the temple. He compares the Dalit’s inability to have a glimpse of his favorite God to his own inability to have a glimpse of the invisible Creator. This song was sung by MS Subbulakshmi at her United Nations concert in 1969, and now almost every Carnatic musician keeps it in his/her repertoire.

I do not have any complaints, Oh Kanna, the personification of the Vedas! I do not have any problem, Kanna! I do not have any complaint, Oh Govinda! You are invisible, Kanna! But even when you remain invisible, I do not have any problem, Kanna! When there is Lord Venkatesa to give us what we want, we shall not want anything, Oh Kanna! Manivanna! Malaiyappa! Govinda!

You are standing behind a screen, Kanna! Only the wise men who are well-versed in the Vedas can “see” you. Still, I do not have a problem (if I cannot see you). You are standing like a stone on the hilltop (reference to the Tirumala hills). I do not have any problem still. 

karnāṭaka sangītam

never listened to carnatic music before? let this playlist be your introduction to this complex and beautiful musical tradition.

carnatic music originated in southern india. it is one of two main subgenres of indian classical music, the other being hindustani music.

the main emphasis in carnatic music is on vocal music; even when songs are played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gāyaki (singing) style. most carnatic compositions are devotional and are composed in telugu, tamil, kannada, or sanskrit.