Unit 1: Technical Terms

Sangita

It is music, it is one of the performing arts, and it gives pleasant feelings to the ears. It is known as Sangeetham.

Sruti

The sound which is audible to the ear and is the smallest audible sound. The sounds which can be distinctly heard quarter-tone, microtone, enharmonic note, or interval.

Svara

That which is able to please of its own accord.

Saptasvaras

They are the basis of all systems of Music. They consist of the seven notes or Svaras. The first note is named as Shadja which gives birth to the other six Svaras. The other six Svaras derive their positions only in relation to Shadja.

Name the 7 saptasvaras

Shadja, Rishabha, Gandhara, Madhyama , Panchama, Dhaivata, Nishada

Svarasthanas

The remaining five Svaras (ri, ga, ma, dha, ni) each have two varieties (Komal svara and Tivra svara).

Komal Svara

Is the lower note

Tivra Svara

Is the higher note

R1

Suddha Rishaba

R2

Chatusruthi Rishabha

G1

Sadharna Gandhara

G2

Antara Gandhara

M1

Suddha madhyama

M2

Prathi Madhyama

Pa

Panchama

D1

Suddha Daivata

D2

Chatusruthi Daivata

N1

Kaisiki Nishada

N2

Kakali Nishada

Prakriti svaras

have prefix sudha-

vikruta svaras

have prefix like chatusruthi, sadharana, antara, etc.

suddha svara

is the lowest pitched variety of each

Arohana

Achala svara (fixed notes)

Sa and Pa (do not admit of varieties)

Arohana

A series of notes in the ascending order of pitch (s r g m p d n s)

Avarohana

A series of notes in the descending order of pitch (s n d p m g r s)

Sthayi

the range of the voice or instrument. There are 5 sthayis in indian music

What are the five sthayis of Indian music in order?

Anumandra, Mandra, Madhya, Tara, Ati tara

Dhatu

The svara part of the composition (Ex: mp dssr )

Matu

The sahitya or the text part of the composition (Ex: Sri l gana nadha)

Avarta

A complete tala ; the completion of the angas (constituent parts of the tala); the completion of one round of angas

Trikala

Kala refers to the speed of the musical piece. There are Three kalas

Prathama kala

First degree of speed where one note is sung in one Akshara Kala (the fixed number units of measurement in a tala)

Dwitiya Kala

Second degree of speed, twice faster than Prathama kala. Two notes are sung in one Akshara Kala.

Tritiya Kala

Third degree of speed, twice faster than Dwitiya Kala. Four ntoes are sung for every anga in one Akshara Kala

Tala

The first letters of Tandava and Lasya gives rise to this. It is the time binding factor in music. There are numerous of the them in music like ragas. Each one ha definite angas.

Shadangas

The six angas of musical time. (Laghu, Drutham, Anudruam, Guru, Plutam, Kakapadam)

Anudrutam (U)

(U) One beat of the palm on the lap

Drutam (O)

One palm on lap + one wave

Laghu (I)

(I) One beat of palm lap+ Count of the fingers

Symbol for Guru

8

Sapta Talas

The seven principle Talas. (Dhruva Tala, Matya Tala, Rupaka Tala, Jhampa Tala, Triputa Tala, Ata Talam, and Eka Tala)

Jati

applies specifically to the laghu components of the talam and there are 5 of them.

How many Kriyas in Thisra Jathi

3 kriyas

How many Kriyas in Chatusra Jathi

4 kriyas

How many kriyas in Khanda Jathi

5 kriyas

Mishra Jathi

7 kriyas

Sankeerna Jathi

9 kriyas

Tauryatrikam

Vocal music, instrumental music, and Dance when all 3 are combined

Nada

Is musical sound and of 2 types (Ahata nada and Anahata nada)

Ahata nada

music made by humans (instrumental or vocal)

Anahata Nada

Music of nature

Murchana

Arohana and Avarohana together.

Raga

a combination of svara patterns in melody which has a definite formation.

Abhyasagana

It is practice music and meant for the initial training of a student. Intended for practice or to acquire the necessary technical skills to perform in front of an audience. Sarali Varusalu (scales and different combination of the notes to get to learn the Raga), Janta Svaralu (scales and different co bos of notes but done in DOUBLES for voice training), Datu Varusalu (notes begin to go back and forth to teach the svarastanas of placement of the notes), Upper Sthayi Varusalu (teaching the next/higher octave), Alankaras ( to learn the basic 7 talas with different angas)

sabhagana

the music that is performed in front of an audience is called Sabhagana (Sabha means audience)

Vaggeyakara

One who compares the dhatu (swaras) and matu (sahitya) of a compostion (Ex: Tyagarja, Mutuswamy Dikshitar, Shyama Sastry, etc.)