Dhivya

Hi, Please excuse me for the lengthy answer. I will try to keep it as concise as possible. Carnatic music consists of a set of basic lessons or "Abhyasa Gana". These are meant to help students learn the fundamental concepts like Shruthi, Swara, Raga, Tala etc and put them into practice. We can categorise the Abhyasa Gana as follows: 1. Set of fundamental sequences or Varisais which are a. Sarali Varisai (basic sequencing of swaras in ascending and descending) b. Jantai Varisai (involves singing swaras repeatedly, atleast twice, in sequence) c. Dhatu Varisai (involves out-of-sequence swara combinations) d. Tara Sthayi Varisai (aimed at improving upper octave singing) e. Mandhara Sthayi Varisai (aimed at improving lower octave singing. This is a more recent introduction which employs reversing of the Tara sthayi lesson sequences) 2. Alankaram - lessons aimed at intoducing the Sapta Talas or the 7 fundamental talas of Carnatic Music. (All the basic lessons upto Alankaram are taught in Raga Mayamalavagowlai, but the lessons could be practiced in other ragas as well.) 3. Geethams - simple songs with swara notation, which are set in different Ragas and Talas 4. Swarajathis - simple compositions created mainly as dance songs 5. Varnams - Have a more complex structure and sung in varying speeds (kala pramanam) 6. Krithis - Musical compositions forming major part of Carnatic Music, fit for stage presentation (Sabha Ganam) Once learning begins with the Varnams and Krithis, the students should start transitioning from Abhyasa geetham to Manodharma sangeetham. Manodharma is the art of improvisation which brings out the musical creativity of the individual. It is performed within certain defining rules of Carnatic Music such as Gamakas (swara oscillations pertaining to each and every Carnatic raga), Tala and Kalapramana of the compositions etc. Manodharma Sangeetham has aspects like Raga Alapana, Tanam, Pallavi, Neraval, Kalpana Swaram etc, which could be understood after reaching a certain level of proficiency. Hence I'm omitting their elaboration here. Varnams and Kritis help a lot in practicing and accommodating these manodharma aspects. The highest level of Manodharma singing is a unique composition called Ragam Tanam Pallavi (RTP as it is abbreviated in concert pattern) which is an entirely creative composition by a Carnatic Performer. Every music learner should strive to constantly improve one's creativity if they wish to excel in the field of Carnatic Music. Practice of all the basic lessons repeatedly in various ragas and with gamakas will help in this process. Hope this answers your question.

Can an infant who just started making sounds speak a language like an adult in 2 months? There you have your answer. There are no shortcuts when it comes to mastering fine arts. It takes years of learning and listening to develop an evolved musical ability. Nurturing creativity is very essential to become a musician. Whether you want to learn vocal or instrumental music, please strive to strengthen the basics and understand how music is created. My humble request for beginner is please learn the art if you seriously have the intention to appreciate it and not for any commercial purpose.

Technically speaking, any sound/combination of sounds which is organised and can evoke a pleasant feeling is music. Even a bird's chirping or rain's splashing is Music. Any unpleasant sound becomes noise. Nature is the first teacher of music and it is believed that all the musical notes are inspired by bird and animal sounds. Though expressed through different notations in different musical systems around the world, music has the ability to touch us at an emotional level.