Brahmins and Carnatic Music

A relation beyond definition

Every classical music is basically divine in nature and pious in composition. Because, man created music to get solace and satisfaction in his hour of distress. In western countries also, pure classical music is called Church music. Indian classical music was born out of devotional notes only. The great composers of our carnatic music were all great devotees of God and through music they tried to reach God. This divine aspect is greatly emphasized and may be seen more in our carnatic music than in any other classical music. That is why practicing music is called “Natho upasana” (Praying the “rhythm”) A carnatic musician is a man with good virtue and noble thoughts. His aim is not to earn money and make a comfortable life alone out of this profession. He is a mediator and a guide for ordinary people to get salvation, which is called “Mukthi” through music. He sings not only for his satisfaction and content but also for the pleasure and benefit of the whole society. He there by helps others to live a more meaningful and happy life. An ardent listener of carnatic music for a long time will be a person of peace and tranquillity. This is the purpose and goal of a good music. A performer of carnatic music not only masters and propagates the niceties of “Raga” and “Bhava” but also explains and exhibits the eloquence and eminence of eternal “Bhakthi”. He is a doner and donee at the same time of this unique gift. Those who could not realise God through music can not help others in this task. A good carnatic music talent is not like other talent obtainable by hard work and interest alone. It is born with somebody, atleast, to a basic level. A sweet voice and sharp ear is a gift of God, perfected by Guru and shines by sathagam. “Guru kataksham” or the grace of Guru is very important for a musician to bring out his skill and style and earn a place in society. A natural talent however great it maybe is like a diamond unpolished. Guru teaches not the notes of music alone to his sishya, but all the good things and noble thoughts along with his music lessons. That is why a good number of naturally talented people could not come to the Lime-light without a Guru. The environment that Brahmins enjoy in their early years play a crucial role in his bright music future. This may be the reason for their dominance in carnatic music. The attachment of brahmins with carnatic music is as deep as the attachment with the God. Faith in God and familiarity with rituals make the adhrence of music principle easier and quicker for them. Moreover, carnatic music was not taught as a subject on fixed hours on particular days. It was added to other duties of sishya to accompany the Guru on his concerts and offered as a perk. The strict “Anushtanams” prevalent in those days of “Gurukulam” among carnatic music vidhawans was a stumbling block for students of music of other communities to fit in to the bill. Perhaps, this may be the cause of negligible representation, the non-brahmins had in carnatic music. This rigid and difficult way of training was more suitable to Brahmin boys than anybody else. By following the Brahminical Anushtanams for the sake of music was not impossible or improbable for them. The tradition of Guru imparting music to a group of boys by keeping them in his house as members of his own family was natural and in tune with the time with the Brahmin community. The relation, the Brahmin had with carnatic music found and developed on this strength of this exclusive circumstances makes it beyond any definition. No other music can boast of such unique relation with any particular community. The composers of carnatic music were all Brahmins for more than 300 years with only a few exceptions. The system and the institution of carnatic music suited to the basic motto “Sukha jeevanaa” “The purpose of living is satisfaction of mind and salvation of soul”. The soft and simple behaviour of a Brahmin is basically the effect and cause of carnatic music embedded to his way of living. One more interesting element of this bondage is creation and continuity of purity and piousness of carnatic music.

Need a Channel for Carnatic Music Sparks