Carnatic Music
Carnatic music, derived in South India is one of the oldest and complicated music systems of the world. It is deeply based on Ragas (melodic scales) and Talas (rhythmic cycles). There are seven rythmic cycles and 72 Melakartha Ragas in Carnatic music. The basic feacture of Carnatic music is its devotional element.
Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dasa(1484 - 1564) is regarded as the father of Carnatic music. He was borne as Sreenivasa Naik, at Teerthahalli, Shimoga now in the state of Karnataka. He was born into a welthy family of traders in the then Vijayanagara Empire. According to the legends, he gave his luxuries lifestyle and became a wandering minstrel. A prominent figure in the Bhakti Movement, he composed some 75000 songs altogether. Mainly in Kannada and Sanskrit. He systemised the style of teaching Carnatic music in the present way. He codifined the teaching of Carnatic music by evolving several graded steps like Saralivarisa, Jantavarisa, Tattuvarisa, Varnams , Geetams and Krithies. Purandara Dasa also influenced Hindustani music. Swami Haridas the teacher of Tansen was one of his desciples
