Jyotsna Srikanth

 Carnatic Nomad

Jyotsna Srikanth presents and explores the lush green melodic possibilities in "Carnatic" or South Indian classical music. Carnatic music has evolved throughout the centuries, steadily adapting itself from its origins as music to be played in the temple, to its current incarnation.

"Carnatic" as a term comes from Sanskrit meaning "pleasing to the ears". "Karna", meaning "ear" is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent; it is one of two main sub-genres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions. The other sub-genre is Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form because of Persian and Islamic influences in North India.

The title of this project, Carnatic Nomad, encapsulates the spread and reach of this ancient music form which has its origins in the Samaveda, an ancient Vedic Sanskrit text containing melodies and chants. The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal form as most compositions are written to be sung, and even when the pieces are played on instruments, they are intended to be performed in a "singing" or gayaki style.

The basic elements are: sruti (the relative musical pitch), swara (the musical sound of a single note), raga (the mode or melodic formulae), and tala (the rhythmic cycles). These form the foundation of improvisation and composition in Carnatic music.

Jyotsna Srikanth will be presenting a traditional and authentic form of Carnatic music, along with Karun Salvady on mridangam (a two sided drum)