Origin and development of Karnatic music in Kerala

Kerala, the land of kera (coconut palm) and God’s own land possesses a rich cultural background. Here each festival, both religious and social, calls for a peculiar type of music or dance. Being a state in the southern region of India, the style of music originated must have been akin to Karnatic music. Being a Dravida desa, and a portion of Tamil Nadu, the culture, language, dance, music and other art forms bore the influence of Tamil culture also. Previously a part of Tamizhagom, it was only with the birth and rise of Travancore kingdom that a separate culture and art forms developed here.

Kerala, through its course of development, had three styles of music combining religion, social set up and folk culture. Taking its roots from Marga Sangeetha, temple music developed in temples with separate style of musical forms, singing, usage of specific ragas, talas and to the accompaniment of specific musical instruments. It followed its own culture, customs and rites in different regions of Travancore. Another style of singing classified as Naadodi Sangeetha was associated with the day to day activities of the people, especially the rural folk. These adopted some features from Desi Sangeetha which was used in Karnatic music also. Music originally belonging to Kerala possessed its own gathi bhedas, musical lyrics and usages.

Karnatic music in Kerala developed early on the foundation of Tamil music. In Kerala, the ragas prevalent in Karnatic music now had been adopted from Tamil music, Sopana Sangeetham and those in Koodiyattom. Many ragas used in Kathakali, Chakiyarkoothu, Koodiyattom, Mohiniyattom, and Thullal now are those from Karnatic music as well as from our system of ancient temple music.

The styles of music that existed in Kerala were peculiar to our region, confirming to the respective social strata and customs to which they belonged. The Karnatic musical form was widely adopted by communities other than Hindus also. The Christian community adopted many tunes from Karnatic music for their devotional hymns and praises. The latter part of the 18th century witnessed the influence of Karnatic music in many religious songs of Christianity.

In the selection of ragas and talas in socio religious musical forms, influence of Karnatic music can be noticed. In ritualistic music and dance, specific musical instruments were used as accompaniment, meant specially for specific occasions. The marriage songs, agriculture songs, ritualistic songs, labourer’s songs etc. made use of many ragas of Karnatic music in crude form. Many of the instruments that evolved in ancient times were adopted by Karnatic music. The musical instruments used in Koodiyattom, Koothu, and Kathakali were of Kerala origin. Panchavadya comprising of five vaadyas namely Kombu, Chenda, Timila, Edakka, and Maddalam originated in Kerala. The talas used and cholkettus played on these instruments were also of Kerala origin. Panchari, Chempata, Atana, Muriyatana, and Champa are some of the talas pertaining to Kerala. Later on, many of these talas were equated with and used in the Karnatic music also.

But in Kathakali, Koothu, Ottam Thullal and other art forms of Kerala, even now, ragas and talas of Kerala origin are used. In Kathakali and Ottam Thullal each character is supposed to sing or present specific ragas and talas for certain situations. Like wise raga Puranira is to be sung for rainy days, and during early morning, Sreekandi for evening, Ghantaram for sorrowful occasions etc. Some of the common ragas figuring in Kathakali, Koodiyattom are Indalam, Puranira, Navarasam, Aarthan, Thodi, Kurukkurinji (Kanakkurinji), Tharkkan, Paadi, Muddan, Sree kandi, Kaisikam, Andhali, Veladhooli, etc. Some of these ragas have got equivalents in Karnatic music. It is a matter of real wonder that many of these ragas were not being handled by any composer of Karnatic music outside Kerala.

While rendering Slokas, the Namboothiris used specific ragas and talas. The style of rendering was different from that by the Vaidikas of ancient time. Kerala is also believed to have inherited its musicial heritage from the Arya Brahmins who predominated the south Indian regions. Vedic recitation by ancient pandits and sages served as torch bearers for laying the foundation stone for an advanced system of music in Kerala.