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Carnatic music, which has its roots in the Hindu traditions of Southern India, is a classical music genre that emerged in the southern part of the country. In contrast, Hindustani music originated in the northern and central regions of India. These two styles vary in terms of instruments used, musical structure, and improvisation techniques.In Carnatic music, a group of musicians typically perform together, with the main focus on the vocalist or the melodic instrument, supported by a combination of string and percussion instruments as detailed below.

 

Wind Instruments in Carnatic Music:

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Flute:

Venu/Flute is one of the ancient transverse flutes of Indian classical music. It is an aerophone typically made from bamboo, that is a side blown wind instrument. It is referred to as nadi and tunava in the Rigveda and other Vedic texts of Hinduism. In northern Indian music, a similar flute is called bansuri. In the south, it is also called by various other names such as pullanguḻal (புல்லாங்குழல்) in Tamil, oodakuḻal (ഓടകുഴൽ) or kurungu kuḻal (കുറുന് കുഴൽ) in Malayalam and ಕೊಳಲು (koḷalu) or ಮುರಳಿ (muraļi) in Kannada. It is known as pillana grōvi (పిల్లన గ్రోవి) or vēṇuvu (వేణువు) in Telugu. It is also called as Carnatic Flute. The venu is capable of producing two and half octaves with the help of over-blowing and cross fingering. The flute is like the human voice in that it is monophonic and also has a typical two and half octave sound reproduction. Sliding the fingers on and off the holes allows for production of variety of Gamakas, important in the performance of raga-based music.

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Percussion Instruments in Carnatic Music:

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Mridangam:

The mridangam is one of the oldest percussion instruments in the Indian subcontinent. It has played a major role in the development of the Indian tala (rhythm) system. The instrument, tracing back to 200 BC, was originally made of clay and has its roots in South India, where it has been an essential component of the Carnatic musical heritage. This wooden double-headed drum features drumheads crafted from layers of animal skin, usually goat or buffalo, and is held together with leather straps for fine-tuning to achieve precise tonal quality. It is comparable to the pakhawaj and shares similarities with the Gendang, an ancient instrument from Southeast Asia.

 

Ghatam:

The ghatam, known as 'garha' in Punjab and 'Matka' in Western India, is a basic clay pot with a narrow opening. Although resembling a typical water storage pot, the ghatam requires a meticulous manufacturing process to ensure it is of precise dimensions and consistent thickness for musical purposes.The pot is played with every part of the palm – includes the ball, thumb, fingers, and heel to create unique sounds. Ghatam players play fast patterns in a very rhythmic fashion in the ensemble. They use a similar system as the ‘bols’ used for mridangam or table.

 

Morsing:

The morsing is a type of horseshoe-shaped lamellophone featuring two parallel metal forks with a tongue positioned in the middle. The tongue, also known as the trigger, is manipulated with one hand and can be bent to produce sounds of different pitches. This instrument is similar to a Jew’s harp (or jaws harp) and has a history of use throughout India.The morsing is typically part of ensembles in Carnatic music, closely mirroring the bol (syllables) of the mridangam throughout the performance. This practice is also known as konnakol, where the syllables are recited vocally before being played on an instrument.

 

String Instruments in Carnatic Music

 

Veena:

Veena is the Sanskrit name for a 'plucked string instrument'. Mentions of the Veena can be found in the earliest texts on art and music in the Indian subcontinent. It is also referenced in the Hindu Vedas, which date back to around 1500 BCE. Carnatic Veena is a pear-shaped lute featuring a lengthy neck containing 24 frets and seven strings - four for melody and three for droning. It has been a crucial musical instrument for vocal accompaniment in the Hindu tradition since ancient times.

 

Violin:

In the late 18th century, the violin made its debut in Carnatic music and gained popularity for its ability to imitate the human voice. Nowadays, violins are commonly used in Carnatic classical performances either as main instruments or for accompaniment. Carnatic violin soloists are crucial musicians who express themselves through notes rather than words, showcasing exceptional bowing techniques and top-notch skills. MS Gopalakrishnan is widely regarded as one of the most respected figures in the Carnatic Music realm.

 

Tanpura:

The Tanpura, also known as thumpura or tambura, is a string instrument resembling a lute, featuring a lengthy neck without frets and a resonator resembling a dried gourd, typically crafted from wood. It is equipped with four strings utilized for creating a continuous drone to support a singer in the realm of Indian classical music.

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