Konnakol
Encyclopedia
Konnakol (also called solkattu) is the art of performing percussion syllables vocally in South India
n music, the Carnatic music
- South Indian classical - performance art of vocal percussion
. It is comparable in some respects to bol
in Hindustani music, but allows the composition, performance or communication of rhythms. Sri Thetakudi Harihara Subash Chandran
is a well-known exponent.
who led the Mahavishnu Orchestra and has long been using konnakol as an aid to composing. V. Selvaganesh
- who plays alongside John McLaughlin in the group Remember Shakti
- is another noted konnakol virtuoso. Subash Chandran's disciple Dr Joel who teaches konnakol in the UK, is noted for incorporating konnakol in rock and western classical music - notably in a concerto commissioned (2007) by the viola soloist Rivka Golani
. The trio J G Laya (Sri Thetakudi Harihara Vinayakram
, Sri T. H. Subash Chandran and Dr Joel) showcased the konnakol of Sri T. H. Subash Chandran and helped the previously fading art form back to concert prominence in the 1980s. Subash Chandran has released an instructional DVD on konnakol (2007). McLaughlin and Selvaganesh have released a separate instructional DVD on konnakol (2007).
Konnakol should not be confused with the practice in Hindustani music (the classical music of northern India) of speaking tabla
"bol
s", which indicate the finger placement to be used by a percussionist. By contrast, konnakol syllables are aimed at optimising vocal performance, and konnakol syllables vastly outnumber any commonly used finger placements on mridangam or any other hand percussion instrument. Further, all the differences which still remain between Carnatic and north Indian rhythms apply equally to konnakol and tabla bols respectively.
The artist improvises within a structure that interrelates with the raga
being played and within the talam
preferred in the compositions. Mridangam, kanjira
, or ghatam
, the percussion is limited to physical characteristics of their structure and construction; the resonance of skin over jackfruit wood, clay shells, or clay pots. The human voice has a direct and dramatic way of expressing the percussive aspects in music directly.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n music, the Carnatic music
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...
- South Indian classical - performance art of vocal percussion
Vocal percussion
Vocal percussion is the art of creating sounds with one's mouth that approximate, imitate, or otherwise serve the same purpose as a percussion instrument, whether in a group of singers, an instrumental ensemble, or solo.-In Western music:...
. It is comparable in some respects to bol
Bol (music)
A bol is a mnemonic syllable. It is used in Indian music to define the tala, or rhythmic pattern, and is one of the most important parts of Indian rhythm. Bol is derived from the Hindi word bolna, which means "to speak."...
in Hindustani music, but allows the composition, performance or communication of rhythms. Sri Thetakudi Harihara Subash Chandran
Thetakudi Harihara Subash Chandran
Thetakudi Harihara Subash Chandran is regarded by many as the foremost Carnatic percussion teacher. His students include top percussionists such as V. Selvaganesh , N. Ramakrishnana , Ganesh Kumar , and many upcoming young talents around the world...
is a well-known exponent.
Usage
Many musicians from a variety of traditions around the world have found konnakol useful in their own musical practice. Prominent among these is John McLaughlinJohn McLaughlin (musician)
John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
who led the Mahavishnu Orchestra and has long been using konnakol as an aid to composing. V. Selvaganesh
V. Selvaganesh
V. Selvaganesh is an Indian percussionist working in the Carnatic tradition, and is one of the leading kanjira player of his generation. He is also known as "Chella S. Ganesh."-Early life:...
- who plays alongside John McLaughlin in the group Remember Shakti
Remember Shakti
Remember Shakti is a quintet which combines elements of traditional Indian music with elements of jazz. The band consists of English guitarist John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain , U. Srinivas , Shankar Mahadevan , and V. Selvaganesh , who are all of Indian descent...
- is another noted konnakol virtuoso. Subash Chandran's disciple Dr Joel who teaches konnakol in the UK, is noted for incorporating konnakol in rock and western classical music - notably in a concerto commissioned (2007) by the viola soloist Rivka Golani
Rivka Golani
Rivka Golani is an Israeli viola player.She has performed as soloist with orchestras including the Boston Symphony, Royal Concertgebouw, BBC Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Hong Kong Symphony, Singapore Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Tokyo Metropolitan,...
. The trio J G Laya (Sri Thetakudi Harihara Vinayakram
Thetakudi Harihara Vinayakram
Thetakudi Harihara Vinayakram , also known as Vikku Vinayakram is a Grammy Award–winning Indian percussionist. Vinayakram plays Carnatic music with the ghatam, an earthen pot. Vinayakram is credit for the progress and development as well as popularizing of the ghatam.-Early life:Vikku Vinayakram...
, Sri T. H. Subash Chandran and Dr Joel) showcased the konnakol of Sri T. H. Subash Chandran and helped the previously fading art form back to concert prominence in the 1980s. Subash Chandran has released an instructional DVD on konnakol (2007). McLaughlin and Selvaganesh have released a separate instructional DVD on konnakol (2007).
Konnakol should not be confused with the practice in Hindustani music (the classical music of northern India) of speaking tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
"bol
Bol (music)
A bol is a mnemonic syllable. It is used in Indian music to define the tala, or rhythmic pattern, and is one of the most important parts of Indian rhythm. Bol is derived from the Hindi word bolna, which means "to speak."...
s", which indicate the finger placement to be used by a percussionist. By contrast, konnakol syllables are aimed at optimising vocal performance, and konnakol syllables vastly outnumber any commonly used finger placements on mridangam or any other hand percussion instrument. Further, all the differences which still remain between Carnatic and north Indian rhythms apply equally to konnakol and tabla bols respectively.
The artist improvises within a structure that interrelates with the raga
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
being played and within the talam
Talam
Talam is a village in Chipwi Township in Myitkyina District in the Kachin State of north-eastern Burma.-External links:**...
preferred in the compositions. Mridangam, kanjira
Kanjira
The kanjira, khanjira or ganjira, a South Indian frame drum, is an instrument of the tambourine family. It is used primarily in concerts of Carnatic music as a supporting instrument for the mridangam...
, or ghatam
Ghatam
The ghaṭam is a percussion instrument used in the Carnatic music of South India. Its analogue in Rajasthan is known as the madga and pani mataqa "water jug"....
, the percussion is limited to physical characteristics of their structure and construction; the resonance of skin over jackfruit wood, clay shells, or clay pots. The human voice has a direct and dramatic way of expressing the percussive aspects in music directly.
External links
- http://www.subashchandranmusic.com/
- http://www.johnmclaughlin.com/
- http://www.glennrogers.net/?page_id=179
- http://www.konnakol.org/
- http://www.ziz.name
- http://www.loricotler.com