During the pre-independence period, the royalty and Carnatic music went hand in hand in South India. The early rulers of South India like the kings of Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava dynasties patronised all kinds of artistes including those of the Carnatic music.
Mahendravarman Pallava was a king of 7th century AD, who was known to be a good player of the Parivadini Veena from the Kudumiyamalai inscription. He is also said to have achieved the title 'Sankirna Jati'. Another king named Rajaraja Chola I was a magnanimous patron of Carnatic music, who divided the land into sections titled Gita vinoda valanadu and Nritta vinoda valanadu. It is also said that four hundred dancing girls were assigned by him to the service at the Big Temple, Tanjavur. He also provided them land and houses.
The recent form of Carnatic music came into existence only in the 16th century. At that time, the Vijaya-nagar Empire was at the height of its glory under the reign of the king Krishnadeva Raya. The poem 'Amukta-malyada' on the life of Andal was written by the king himself. He had authored many other works besides this. He appointed the Carnatic music composer Lakshminarayana in his court, who composed the treatise 'Sangita Suryodaya'. The composer was honoured with the titles 'Abhinava Bharatacharya', 'Sukshma Bharatacharya' and 'Rayavayakara' for this work.
Another king called Rama Raya asked his court musicians to compose the work Swaramela Kalanidbi (1550 AD). During that period, Purandara Dasa was living in Vijayanagar, who later developed the present day structure of Carnatic music. Thus, under the patronage of Royal families of south India, the Carnatic music developed and reached its recent form. The Patronage of Kings in Tamil region, Patronage by the Kings in Telugu region, Patronage by the Kings of Malayalam region, and the Patronage by the Kings of Mysore also played great part in delineating the Carnatic music.
(Last Updated on : 12-06-2012)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Music
|
|
|
• | Folk Music of Northern India Folk Music of Northern India showcases the diverse cultural heritage of India. A variety of songs have been composed in this genre of music that narrates numerous themes.
| | • | Types of Odissi Music Types of Odissi music cover a rather wide range of styles. There are six major types of Odissi music.
| | • | Rabindra Sangeet Originated by Rabindranath Tagore, Rabindra Sangeet still reverberates the distinct aura of Indian classical music. In the arena of Indian classical music, Rabindra Sangeet with its entire classical aura and distinct romanticism stands as one of the primary music of India.
| | • | Qawwali This is a traditional form of Islamic music usually found in India and Pakistan. Qawwali is a vibrant musical tradition of India, which dates back to more than 700 years and is still a surviving art of music today.
| | • | Folk Music of South India Folk Music of South India runs in the blood of every South Indian. The children are encouraged by their elders to learn folk music. Folk Music of South India has a number of forms and their variations can be found in other parts of India as well.
| | |
|
|
|
|