Tanam
Encyclopedia
Taanam is one of the methods of raga
improvisation
in Carnatic Classical Music
tradition, suited mainly for vocal music and veena
.
It consists of improvising a particular raga with repetition of syllables like aa, nam, tham, taa, na, thom, tha, nom etc. Use of rhythmic pulse has an important place in taanam exposition, and the singer is sometimes joined by the mridangam artist, since this is said to enhance the effect of the performance. The tradition of mridangam artist accompanying during taanam is usually credited to the custom of Kerala
based carnatic musicians.
There are various tanams like Chakra Tanam
, Vakra Tanam, Aja Tanam, Gaja Tanam, Markata Tanam, Vadhya Tanam etc.
Taanam is the second part of a Raagam Taanam Pallavi
, and comes immediately after the raga
is sung but before the pallavi
is about to begin. Among these three modes, taanam is rarely sung very elaborately when compared to raga and pallavi, the reason usually cited for this being that taanam singing requires a lot of physical stamina, sound knowledge of the fundamentals of classical music, good practice and experience.
Tanam singing is regarded as a dying art today with musicians not having the patience or the aptitude to take up such scholarly rigorous pursuits.
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...
improvisation
Improvisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
in Carnatic Classical 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...
tradition, suited mainly for vocal music and veena
Veena
Veena may refer to one of several Indian plucked instruments:With frets*Rudra veena, plucked string instrument used in Hindustani music*Saraswati veena, plucked string instrument used in Carnatic musicFretless...
.
It consists of improvising a particular raga with repetition of syllables like aa, nam, tham, taa, na, thom, tha, nom etc. Use of rhythmic pulse has an important place in taanam exposition, and the singer is sometimes joined by the mridangam artist, since this is said to enhance the effect of the performance. The tradition of mridangam artist accompanying during taanam is usually credited to the custom of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
based carnatic musicians.
There are various tanams like Chakra Tanam
Chakra Tanam
Chakra Tanam is one of the styles of tanam singing in Carnatic Classical Music tradition. It owes its name to the circular or cyclic approach adopted by the performer....
, Vakra Tanam, Aja Tanam, Gaja Tanam, Markata Tanam, Vadhya Tanam etc.
Taanam is the second part of a Raagam Taanam Pallavi
Ragam Thanam Pallavi
Ragam Thanam Pallavi is a form of singing in Carnatic music which allows the musicians to improvise to a great extent. It is one of the most complete aspects of classical music, demonstrating the entire gamut of talents and the depth of knowledge of the musician. It incorporates raga alapana,...
, and comes immediately after 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...
is sung but before the pallavi
Pallavi
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...
is about to begin. Among these three modes, taanam is rarely sung very elaborately when compared to raga and pallavi, the reason usually cited for this being that taanam singing requires a lot of physical stamina, sound knowledge of the fundamentals of classical music, good practice and experience.
Tanam singing is regarded as a dying art today with musicians not having the patience or the aptitude to take up such scholarly rigorous pursuits.