Carnatic vocal and music system
Although there can be music without dancing, there can be no dancing without musical accompaniment. Music therefore is undoubtedly an integral part of dancing. Aside from the vocal support rendered to a dancer, the other musical instruments widely used in Bharatnatyam are the cymbals, violin, veena, flute, tanpura and mridangam.
How is music related to dance: Traditionally, bharatanatyam performances have been accompanied by the Vadya Trayam (Holy Trinity) of Carnatic instruments: Veena (a plucked stringed instrument), Venu (flute), and the Mridangam (drum). These three instruments have specific functions: the Mridangam complements the rhythmic foot movements of the dancer, the Veena enhances the texture with its array of tala strings and main strings, and the flute decorates the melodies with ornamentations.
The violin has been added to this repertoire, replacing the Veena which in turn is gradually disappearing from bharatanatyam performances. The most important instrument on stage, the Nattuvangam (hand cymbals), is tapped in conjunction with the dancer’s feet. More modern performances of bharatanatyam have seen new instruments being employed, such as the drum pad, for special effects like temple bells, the Sitar, for North Indian bhajan-style pieces, and even the piano, to introduce harmonies. Finally, the vocalist sings the melodic lines, which contain the all-important sahithya (lyrics), which the dancer portrays visually.
Basics of Carnatic music:
In musical pieces for dance, provision is always made for jatis, korvais, But here too, merely playing the mridangam or striking the talam according to the footwork is not the only technique. Usually, flourishes and embellishments are added and given by the mridangist and nattuvan. It is also important that they do not overshadow the entire effect of the recital. It must keep with the tempo, mood, and emotion of the song and the Sollukattu (jati syllables recited).
What are the Sapta Swaras?
There are 7 musical notes in Carnatic Music, called the Sapta (seven) Swaras (musical notes). These are the following (The full names of the notes follows the sound with which it is sung):
Sa – Shadjama (Tonic) – Peacock
Ri – Rishabha – Ox
Ga – Gandhara – Goat
Ma – Madhyama – Krouncha Bird
Pa – Panchama (Perfect Fifth) – Cuckoo
Da – Dhaivata – Horse
Ni – Nishada – Elephant
Shadjama (Sa) – Ecstatic sound made by the Peacock when it sees clouds of rain assembling in the sky.
Rishabha (Ri) – Roaring of a cow when separated from her calf.
Gandhara (Ga) – Goat bleating when in the flock
Madhyama (Ma) – Heron’s cry
Panchama (Pa) – Indian Kokila’s sound (Nightingale) during Spring
Dhaivata (Dha) – Horse neighing
Nishada (Ni) – Elephant trumpeting – Elephant
It is also believed that these Sapta Swaras are equivalent to the Western notes i.e. “Solfegio” – Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La & Ti.