We shall now discuss about the common terms used in Carnatic Music. OK?

It consists of Pallavi, Anupallavi and Charanam.

Sometimes instead of Anupallavi, 2 or more Charams will also be sung called as Samashti Charanam.

It is when the Musician make small small variations in the same pitch in all the lines of the song starting very simply in the first. Each and every variation gives a different form to the line. Atlast the final form will be completely different from the one they sing in the first and will be beautiful to hear.

Note down..... Here it doesn't denote the name of the Raga - This is technically called as "Alapana". A unique concept is followed here. The word "NARADHAR" is taken and split into "THA", "RI", "NA", "A". Then according to the Swara limit of the Raga e.g. Kalyani or Mohanam or any Raga, the Alapana is sung in "THA THA RI NA NA" pattern.

Here the full essence of the Raga will be given which is very nice to hear when U go deep and deep into it. No lyric or swara will be there. Only Violin will be accompanied with the Vocalist during this Alapana.

It is a term used when any line of a song is taken and made variations like singing in the low, middle and high pitch without going out the Raga and performing in the same Thalam. Here singing in various pitches is like adding spice to Niraval.

It is normally in the "Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni" structure. Swara singing will be there when U end the Niraval. Taking the begining word of the line in the Niraval, Swara will be sung. This is upto the imagination of the Musician within the limit of the Swara in the Ragam. Also in Swara singing Musician will start in a slow phase called "Vilambam" and come to a fast phase called "Dhuritham". Finally end the fast phase with long lines of big swara called "Muthaippu" meaning End and come to the begining word of the Niraval line again.

Singing different stanza of the song in different Raga is called Ragamalikai. Within one song there can be a collection of different Ragas with each Charanam in one Raga. It will be nice to hear an integration of Ragas.

Concert will be ended with the piece called Thillana, where Lyrics will be to a maximum to four lines and the balance will be covered by the pieces like "Tha ka thari kita tha ka janu thitham...." called Jathi.

Now U have got a wide knowledge of almost all the terms. If U feel comfortable proceed else read the above once again.

Last Modified : 5^th January 2001