What was the earliest form of Carnatic Music?

The earliest form of Carnatic music can be traced to the Samaveda, which laid the foundation for Indian classical music. Over time, it evolved through temple music traditions, devotional hymns like Tevaram and Divya Prabandham, and later, structured compositions by saint-composers like Purandara Dasa, who is considered the "Father of Carnatic Music." read less

The earliest form of Carnatic music can be traced back to the Vedic period (around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE), where music was an integral part of religious rituals and sacrifices. The foundation of Carnatic music is rooted in the Vedic chants and Sama Veda, one of the four Vedas, which contains hymns meant to be sung to specific melodies. These Vedic chants were highly structured and rhythmic and laid the groundwork for later developments in Indian classical music. read less