Geethams
Encyclopedia
Geetham, the simplest music form in Carnatic music
, was created by Purandara Dasa
in order to introduce tala
s with sahithya (lyrics).
, anupallavi
or charana
s, they may be observed in some cases. Some Geethams contain sections rather than the defined divisions (pallavi etc.). They often have no sangathis or variations, with each swara
taking one syllable of the sahithya. The Geetham is sung without repetition from beginning to end. However most Geethams are concluded by repeating a portion of the opening part. Geethams are set in medium tempo and contain no Sangathis or variations and the flow of the music is natural. The theme of the Sahithyam (lyrics) is to praise God. Students learn these Geethams after a course in the preliminary Sarali exercises and Alankaras.
Facts about all Geethams:-
(a) A simple melody song
(b) Same tempo throughout the song
(c) There is no anga change
(d) No repetition
(e) No sangathi
(f) We learn this after beginner lessons
(g) Usually sang about god
(h) Geetham means song
(9) Geethams usually have 10/12 avarthanams
raga). Most Lakshana Geethams have been composed by Purandara Dasa
.
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
, was created by Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dāsa is one of the most prominent composers of Carnatic music and is widely regarded as the "father of Carnatic Music". Purandara Dasa addressed social issues in addition to worship in his compositions, a practice emulated by his younger contemporary, Kanaka Dasa...
in order to introduce tala
Tala (music)
Tāla, Taal or Tal is the term used in Indian classical music for the rhythmic pattern of any composition and for the entire subject of rhythm, roughly corresponding to metre in Western music, though closer conceptual equivalents are to be found in other Asian classical systems such as the notion...
s with sahithya (lyrics).
Structure
Though Geethams have no absolutely defined divisions of pallaviPallavi
In Carnatic music pallavi is the thematic line of a song. It is usually one cycle long and repeated twice in order to give the percussionist the idea of the chosen taalam...
, anupallavi
Anupallavi
In Carnatic music, the anupallavi comes after the pallavi and is usually the second section of any composition. It is then followed by one or more charanams. The anupallavi is optional. In such compositions pallavi is followed by one or more charanams....
or charana
Charana
Charana is a genus of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae....
s, they may be observed in some cases. Some Geethams contain sections rather than the defined divisions (pallavi etc.). They often have no sangathis or variations, with each swara
Swara
The seven notes of the scale , in Indian music are named shadja, rishabh, gandhar, madhyam, pancham, dhaivat and nishad, and are shortened to Sa, Ri or Re , Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, and Ni and written S, R, G, M, P, D, N. Collectively these notes are known as the sargam...
taking one syllable of the sahithya. The Geetham is sung without repetition from beginning to end. However most Geethams are concluded by repeating a portion of the opening part. Geethams are set in medium tempo and contain no Sangathis or variations and the flow of the music is natural. The theme of the Sahithyam (lyrics) is to praise God. Students learn these Geethams after a course in the preliminary Sarali exercises and Alankaras.
Facts about all Geethams:-
(a) A simple melody song
(b) Same tempo throughout the song
(c) There is no anga change
(d) No repetition
(e) No sangathi
(f) We learn this after beginner lessons
(g) Usually sang about god
(h) Geetham means song
(9) Geethams usually have 10/12 avarthanams
Types
There are three types of Geetams: Sanchari or Samanya Geethams, Lakshana Geethams, and Suladi Geethams. Samanya Geethams are the simple ordinary Geethams and are called by other names such as Sadharana Geetham or Sanchari Geetham. In Lakshana Geethams, the sahithyam (lyrics), instead of praising God, enumerates in so many words, the Lakshana of the Raga, in which it is composed-giving amongst other details, its Vakra Swaras, Graha, Nysa, Amsa Swarams and lastly its parent Raga (MelakartaMelakarta
Melakarta is a collection of fundamental ragas in Carnatic music . Melakarta ragas are parent ragas from which other ragas may be generated. A melakarta raga is sometimes referred as mela, karta or sampurna as well.In Hindustani music the thaat is equivalent of Melakarta...
raga). Most Lakshana Geethams have been composed by Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dāsa is one of the most prominent composers of Carnatic music and is widely regarded as the "father of Carnatic Music". Purandara Dasa addressed social issues in addition to worship in his compositions, a practice emulated by his younger contemporary, Kanaka Dasa...
.
Common Geethams
Some of the most common Geethams have been composed .They are- Vara Veena in MohanamMohanamMohanam is a rāgam in Carnatic music . It is an audava rāgam . It is a janya rāgam , as it does not have all the seven swaras .The equivalent of Mohanam in Hindustani music is Bhoop Mohanam is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is an audava rāgam (or...
Raga (Janya of 28th Mela HarikambhojiHarikambhojiHarikambhoji is a rāgam in Carnatic music . It is the 28th Melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system....
) - Chatusruthi Jathi Rupaka Tala - Sree Gananatha (Lambodara) in MalahariMalahariMalahari is a Carnatic raga. This raga is a janya of the 15th Melakarta raga Mayamalavagowla. This raga is known to be a morning raga which brings out a sense of calmness.Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub...
Raga (Janya of 15th Mela MayamalavagowlaMayamalavagowlaMayamalavagowla , is a raga of Carnatic Music . It is classified as 15thmelakarta raga under Venkatamakhin's melakarta system. Originally known as malavagowla, "maya" was prefixed to it after the advent of the scheme of the 72 melas. The number 15 was assigned to it following the Katapayadi sankhya...
) - Chathusruthi Jathi Rupaka Tala - Analekara in Shuddha SaveriShuddha SaveriShuddha Saveri , , ) is a rāgam in Carnatic music . It is an audava rāgam . It is a janya rāgam , as it does not have all the seven swaras .The equivalent of Shuddha Saveri in Hindustani music is Durga.Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub...
Raga (Janya of 29th Mela SankarabharanamDheerasankarabharanamDheerashankarābharanam , commonly known as Shankarābharanam, is a rāga in Carnatic music . It is the 29th Melakarta rāga in the 72 melakarta rāga system of Carnatic music....
) - Tisra Jathi Triputa Tala - Kamala Jadala in Kalyani Raga (65th MelakartaMelakartaMelakarta is a collection of fundamental ragas in Carnatic music . Melakarta ragas are parent ragas from which other ragas may be generated. A melakarta raga is sometimes referred as mela, karta or sampurna as well.In Hindustani music the thaat is equivalent of Melakarta...
Raga)- Tisra Jathi Triputa Tala