Composition and Instruments

 Just as all forms of music are expressed in song, so too is Carnatic music. Despite the many similarities between north and south, composition can be quite different. While Hindustani music has a focus on improvisation, Carnatic music is much more structured. Because of this, there is much more focus on each of the intricacies that make the song what it is. 

When Carnatic music is composed into song, there are four pieces of information to be known about it; melody name, rhythm name, title, and composer. It is through these compositions that Carnatic can be learned and improvised upon. It is through these compositions, brought to life with vocalizations and instruments, that the vision of the composer can be at the forefront.

In that regard, Instruments have an enormous role to play in bringing that composition to life. Among those instruments is the tambura, which serves as a drone and ensures there is foundation to the melody that is being played. Its purpose is prevalent in both Hindustani and Carnatic music to ensure a type of ambience undertones the music of a concert. 

Other instruments that are used include the saraswati veena, a chordophone specific to the region of south India. Differing from its cousin in the north, a stick-zither rudra veena, the saraswati veena is shaped like a lute. Despite the differences in shape, both have very similar play styles as well as drone and melody strings. It can be found as accompaniment to the vocalist, though violins are often more common. Another instrument used as accompaniment and in keeping the rhythm is a percussion player, such as someone using the mridangam. The mridangam is a double-sided drum that is often made with a hollowed piece of jackfruit wood and goatskin that is then held together by leather straps. Through its beat, ensuring other musicians stay on pace with the vocalist. It is through these accompaniments, that the vocalist can truly bring a composition to life. 

Saraswati veena

Mridangam