Is Carnatic music a Casteist?

It is true that Carnatic music’s organisation was caste-based.

What is the origin of Carnatic music?

Karnatak music, also spelled Karnatic or Carnatic, music of southern India (generally south of the city of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh state) that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions and was relatively unaffected by the Arab and Iranian influences that, since the late 12th and early 13th centuries, as a result of the …

Which caste is superior in Hinduism?

Brahmins: The word Brahmin translates to “Supreme Self” or the first of the gods. Brahmin is the highest Varna in Vedic Hinduism.

Is Carnatic music imagination?

Improvisation. Improvisation in raga is the soul of Indian classical music – an essential aspect. “Manodharma Sangeetam” or “kalpana Sangeetam” (“music of imagination”) as it is known in Carnatic music, embraces several varieties of improvisation.

Carnatic music owes its name to the Sanskrit term Karnātaka Sangītam which denotes “traditional” or “codified” music. The corresponding Tamil concept is known as Tamil Isai.

Is Carnatic music casteist?

To merely say that Carnatic music is casteist fails to situate the genre in a larger social and historical context. To decode the enigma, one also has to search for clues within its aesthetics, its structure and its history of innovation. It is true that Carnatic music’s organisation was caste-based. But why should we be surprised?

What are the most articulate criticisms of contemporary Carnatic music?

The most articulate critique currently comes from TM Krishna, a gifted musician in his early 40s. He is vociferous against what he argues is the narrowness of contemporary Carnatic music, with respect to form and outreach.

Why is Carnatic music so popular at St Andrews?

The 800-odd-seat St Andrews auditorium usually features English plays, rarely Indian classical music. The music that day was pure Carnatic, the majority of the listeners not South Indian. Given Carnatic music’s traditional appeal to a narrow band, it was a stunning moment for this esoteric genre.