Varnam
Encyclopedia
Varnam is a form of song in the Carnatic music
repertoire. A varnam is a relatively long piece and can range from 30 minutes to up to an hour. It is usually set to Aadi or Ata tala
. It is the center piece in a recital of a Bharathanatyam dance. It is a tradition to start a recital in Carnatic music
with a varnam. The lyrics are simple and consist mostly of long syllables and swara phrases of various lengths which bring out the essential features of the raga
. It has two types: Taana varnam and Pada varnam.
Varnams are considered vocal exercises in a particular raga
. The patterns in a varnam are considered to be characteristic patterns of a particular raga or scale. Varnams are considered the most complex of the vocal exercises in Carnatic Music. They are designed to help develop voice culture and proper control of rhythm. Indeed, varnams are often practiced in double and triple speeds and proper rhythmic control (tala
) must be kept.
-like rhythmic qualities, tana varnams only have lyrics for the pallavi
, anupallavi
and charanam
.
With rhythmic elements like a padam
, pada varnams are generally sung to accompany South Indian classical dance, including bharatanatyam
. Unlike the tana varnam which only has lyrics for the pallavi
, anupallavi
and charanam
and swarams for the rest of the sections a pada varnam also have lyrics that correspond to the muktayi and chitta swaras of the varnam, so generally, pada varnams contain more lyrical content than a tana varnam. The swaras in this type of varnam are suitable for intricate footwork. Padajathi varnams are simply pada varnams that also contain jatis in it, making it again more suitable for South Indian classical dance.
Generally, a varnam is sung as follows:
Repeat, then Pallavi sung in triple speed, or in original speed.
There are generally 3–5 swara groups in every varnam. In a concert, the entire charanam section is sung at approximately 1.5 speed. Sometimes when repeating the Pallavi the Annupallavi and Muktayi Swarams are repeated in double or triple speed.
Varnams are generally sung in two varieties of tala
s, or metric systems, Adi Tala (8 beat cycle) and Ata Tala (14 beat cycle), where Ata Tala varnams are generally more complicated and advanced. In most of the Adi Tala Varnams the tala is placed in the 2 kalai version. So therefore each beat and finger count is placed twice.
Ata Tala Varnams include:
The Arabhi
ragam varnam is supposed to be the only longest piece with jantai and tattu prayogas.
The Valachi vachi varnam is a Navaragamalika
composition.
The "MATHE MALAYADHWAJA" is a Unique Varnam because the Chitte swara has two different types of sahitya arranged according to it. The first is a rhythmic poetry describing the king and has the Raja mudra and the second is a liting Solkattu swara which is very nicely embodied in expression by bharatanatyam dancers
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...
repertoire. A varnam is a relatively long piece and can range from 30 minutes to up to an hour. It is usually set to Aadi or Ata 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...
. It is the center piece in a recital of a Bharathanatyam dance. It is a tradition to start a recital in 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...
with a varnam. The lyrics are simple and consist mostly of long syllables and swara phrases of various lengths which bring out the essential features of 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...
. It has two types: Taana varnam and Pada varnam.
Varnams are considered vocal exercises in a particular 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...
. The patterns in a varnam are considered to be characteristic patterns of a particular raga or scale. Varnams are considered the most complex of the vocal exercises in Carnatic Music. They are designed to help develop voice culture and proper control of rhythm. Indeed, varnams are often practiced in double and triple speeds and proper rhythmic control (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...
) must be kept.
Type of varnams
Named for its thanamRagam 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,...
-like rhythmic qualities, tana varnams only have lyrics for 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...
, 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....
and charanam
Charanam
Charanam in Carnatic music is usually the end section of a composition which is sung after the anupallavi....
.
With rhythmic elements like a padam
Padam
Padam may refer to:*"Padam... Padam...",is the town area place in Tahsil Jasrana Dist Firozabad UP . Padam*"Padam... Padam...", a song by Édith Piaf*Padum, a place in Ladakh of India*Padam , an indigenous people of India...
, pada varnams are generally sung to accompany South Indian classical dance, including bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
. Unlike the tana varnam which only has lyrics for 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...
, 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....
and charanam
Charanam
Charanam in Carnatic music is usually the end section of a composition which is sung after the anupallavi....
and swarams for the rest of the sections a pada varnam also have lyrics that correspond to the muktayi and chitta swaras of the varnam, so generally, pada varnams contain more lyrical content than a tana varnam. The swaras in this type of varnam are suitable for intricate footwork. Padajathi varnams are simply pada varnams that also contain jatis in it, making it again more suitable for South Indian classical dance.
Contents of a varnam
The varnam is subdivided into several sections:- Pallavi: The first section of the Varnam, sung with lyrics or sahithyam.
- Anupallavi: A sort of recapitulation, sung with lyrics or sahithyam also.
- Mukthaayi Swaram: Sung completely with syllables—or swaras -- (like sa ri ga ma pa da ni sa). In Pada Varnas it is known as Mukthaayi Swaram-Sahithyam.
- Charanam: Sung with lyrics
- Chittai Swarams: Sung completely with syllables. In a Pada varnam, there are lyrics which correspond to the Charanam swaras. The swaras occur in several groups or stanzas.
Generally, a varnam is sung as follows:
- Pallavi
- Anupallavi
- Muktayi Swaram
- Pallavi (in double speed)
Repeat, then Pallavi sung in triple speed, or in original speed.
- Charanam
- Charanam Swara Group 1
- Charanam
- Charanam Swara Group 2
- Charanam
- Charanam Swara Group 3
- Charanam
- Charanam Swara Group 4
- Charanam
There are generally 3–5 swara groups in every varnam. In a concert, the entire charanam section is sung at approximately 1.5 speed. Sometimes when repeating the Pallavi the Annupallavi and Muktayi Swarams are repeated in double or triple speed.
Varnams are generally sung in two varieties of 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, or metric systems, Adi Tala (8 beat cycle) and Ata Tala (14 beat cycle), where Ata Tala varnams are generally more complicated and advanced. In most of the Adi Tala Varnams the tala is placed in the 2 kalai version. So therefore each beat and finger count is placed twice.
Famous Varnams
Adi Tala Varnams include:- "Sami Ninne" in Sree Ragam composed by Karur Devudu Iyer
- "Ninnukori" 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...
ragam by Poochi Srinivasa IyengarPoochi Srinivasa IyengarPoochi Srinivasa Iyengar , also known as Ramanathapuram Srinivasa Iyengar, was a singer and composer of Carnatic music. He was born in Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu on August 16, 1860. He studied music under Patnam Subramania Iyer , a singer of Carnatic music and came in the sishya parampara of... - "Evvari Bodhana" in AbhogiAbhogiAbhogi is a raga in Carnatic music and has been adapted to Hindustani music. It is a pentatonic scale, an audava or owdava raga. It is a derived scale , as it does not have all the seven swaras...
ragam by Patnam Subramania IyerPatnam Subramania IyerPatnam Subramania Iyer was a composer and singer of Carnatic music. Subramaniya Iyer followed the traditions of the great composer Tyagaraja. He has left behind almost one hundred compositions.... - "Valachi Vacchi" in Navaragamalika (9 ragas, similar to Ragamalika which literally translates to a garland of ragams.
Ata Tala Varnams include:
- "Viriboni" in BhairaviBhairavi (ragam)Bhairavi is a janya rāgam in Carnatic music . Though it is a sampoorna rāgam , it has two different dhaivathams in its scale, and hence is not classified as a melakarta rāgam .This is one of the ancient rāgams, said to have been prevalent about 1500 years ago...
ragam by Pacchimiriam AdiyappaPacchimiriam AdiyappaPacchimiriam Adiyappa was a famous court musician at the Maratha kingdom of Thanjavur in the 18th century. He was a composer of Carnatic music. Some of his famous disciples were Syama Sastri, one of the Trinity of Carnatic composers, and Ghanam Krishna Iyer... - "Nera Nammithi" in Kaanada ragam by Poochi Srinivasa IyengarPoochi Srinivasa IyengarPoochi Srinivasa Iyengar , also known as Ramanathapuram Srinivasa Iyengar, was a singer and composer of Carnatic music. He was born in Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu on August 16, 1860. He studied music under Patnam Subramania Iyer , a singer of Carnatic music and came in the sishya parampara of...
- "Chalamela" in 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....
by Swati Tirunal
The Arabhi
Aarabhi
Aarabhi is a ragam in Carnatic music . It is a Janya raga , whose Melakarta raga is Shankarabharanam, 29th in the 72 Melakarta raga system....
ragam varnam is supposed to be the only longest piece with jantai and tattu prayogas.
The Valachi vachi varnam is a Navaragamalika
Navaragamalika
A Navaragamalika is a composition in Carnatic Music that is composed using a collection of nine ragas. The most well-known example of a Navaragamalika is Valachi Vachi, a varnam in the nine ragams of Kedaram, Shankarabharanam, Kalyani, Begada, Kambhoji, Yadukulakambhoji, Bilahari, Mohanam and Sree...
composition.
The "MATHE MALAYADHWAJA" is a Unique Varnam because the Chitte swara has two different types of sahitya arranged according to it. The first is a rhythmic poetry describing the king and has the Raja mudra and the second is a liting Solkattu swara which is very nicely embodied in expression by bharatanatyam dancers