A gentle introduction to Carnatic Music

by Mahadevan Ramesh

This is not a book of the "Carnatic music for dummies" variety, though it takes the uninitiated step by step through a fascinating voyage of discovery of the great south Indian system of classical music, codified and developed in the last few centuries into a highly sophisticated tradition of concert music. The author uses the piano keyboard of Western classical music to introduce the basic concepts of Carnatic music. The book explains raga and tala through a crystal-clear style of narration, and easy-to-understand examples. Its treatment of the melakarta scheme of ragas is both eminently readable and comprehensive. A primer from which both the neophyte and experienced listener of Carnatic music can benefit.

This primer evolved as an attempt to educate the curious, but musically-challenged about the basics of Carnatic music without getting to be too formal or pedantic. First published as an Internet webpage, it was received very well the world over.

The author, Dr. Mahadevan Ramesh, graduated from IIT Kanpur and later obtained a Ph.D from the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. While living in Pittsburgh, he was touched by the excellent musical climate there and exposed to several eminent musical personalities - teachers, performers and critics.

Ramesh is now based in Chennai, India. He is an Engineering and Management Consultant and an Adjunct Professor of Management at the SSN College of Engineering (Anna University), Kalavakkam, Tamil Nadu.

Genres: Music

91 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Harry Collier IV · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got it in my mind to buy a surbahar. Not having nearly enough money for a surbahar I bought this book instead - you have to start somewhere.
Before reading this book I knew nothing about Carnatic music. After reading it I realize that everything I thought I knew about music was wrong. A great introduction that really expanded my horizons.
I am sure there are better books on the subject out there but this one answered my initial questions.

[Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my younger daughter started taking vocal lessons in Carnatic music, I picked up this book to understand some basics of this classical music for myself.

I have no knowledge about Carnatic Music except that I enjoy listening to it. This short and beautiful book by late Dr. Ramesh Mahadevan covers the basics in a very interesting way touching both the art and the science behind the same. Also, he discusses some history too.

I have learnt a lot of terminology and also the science behind the names of the 72 Melakarta ragas. The Melakarta chart has some similarities with periodic table where some of the ragas were notated even before they were composed. The journey of a learner to an expert concert singer is laid out well. I now understand the significance and complexity of improvisation.

Hopefully, I now have enough basics to understand and comment when my daughter talks to me about Carnatic music or her lessons. Also, I will be able to appreciate the music even better now.

[Ashok Krishna · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first saw this book in Amazon recommendations, I grabbed the offer with both hands, thinking that it would be an ideal introduction into the Carnatic part of the Indian Classical Music. But the book turned out to be a big disappointment in two aspects though.

1. It's the Tamizh translation of a book originally written in English. While it is nothing wrong by itself, the translation of Maths and Science jargon into Tamizh makes for difficult reading. Also, what's the point in reading a translated work when one can very well read the book in the original language in which it was written!

2. Though the book claims to be an introduction to Carnatic music, aimed at informing the laymen on the basics of this classical form of music, the book fails to live up to that promise. Within the first couple of pages, the author shifts gear and gets into technicalities and nuances that will be discernible only to the amateurs and those who already have a basic understanding of Carnatic music.

If you're a novice looking for a book that will initiate you into the world of Indian Classical Music, well, there are much better ones out there.

[Manimaran NC · Rating 2 out of 5]

This Book is a primer to Karnataka Sangeetham. In a Kindle edition, Author can try to add the sounds of different swaras in future editions, as I don't have any knowledge of music, i can only understand the theory. Author has tried to give reality and structure of karnatic music as simple as possible.

[Venkatesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome summary

If you're an adult trying to understand or learn Carnatic music. This book is a must read. Helps you appreciate the richness and legacy of Carnatic music

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more like an improvised version of Karnataka Sangeetham. Useful nevertheless.

[albin james · Rating 4 out of 5]

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