Given below are details of some famous carnatic musicians:
Purandara Dasa (Father of carnatic music)
Purandara Dasa, also known as the Sangeeta Pitamaha, is one of the most influential figures in the history of Carnatic music. He was born in 1484 AD in Karnataka, India. His musical career began when he was just a young boy. Vyasatirtha trained him in Hindusthani music. However, after listening to the works of Carnatic composers like Kanakadasa and Vadiraja Tirtha, he later switched to Carnatic music.
Purandara Dasa composed over 400 Carnatic songs known as ‘Sangeeta.’ He structured graded exercises known as Sarali varisai and Alankaras and introduced the first scale – Raga Mayamalava gowla, which till date remains as the first scale learnt by beginners.He also wrote a treatise on Carnatic music called the ‘Sangeeta Sudha.’ In this treatise, he laid down the basics of Carnatic music, including the ragas and talas. While Carnatic music has undergone many changes over the years, Purandara Dasa’s compositions remain some of the genre’s most beloved and revered pieces.
Trinity of Carnatic Music
The trinity of Carnatic music is three saints who lived in the 18th century and were the most influential composers of this music. They are Tyagaraja, Shyama Shastri, and Muttuswami Dikshitar.
Tyagaraja
Tyagaraja is a pivotal figure in Carnatic music. The composer and performer spent his life in South India in 1767. His music is beautiful melodically, technically, and emotionally. Tyagaraja’s pieces are still popular today. He is one of the most influential composers of Carnatic music. He wrote nearly 600 Carnatic songs (kritis). Tyagaraja’s compositions show his mastery of both vocal and instrumental music. Tyagaraja was a brilliant instructor as well as a composer. His disciples were some of the most respected Carnatic musicians of their time.
Muthuswami Dikshitar
Muthuswami Dikshitar was a renowned Carnatic musician who lived in the 19th century. He was born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, and studied under several great masters, including Ramaswamy Dikshitar (his father) and Tyagaraja. Dikshitar composed hundreds of Carnatic songs, many of which are still popular today. His “kritis,” are complex pieces that explore a wide range of emotions and concepts. In addition to his musical genius, Dikshitar was also a skilled poet and philosopher. His work has inspired generations of Carnatic musicians. He is one of the most critical figures in Carnatic music history.
Shyama Shastri
Shyama Shastri (1762-1827) was a Carnatic music composer from Thiruvidaimarudur, Tamil Nadu. He was the disciple of Muttusvami Dikshitar. Shyama Shastri also wrote the lyrics for many of his songs, often exploring religious themes. A number of his compositions have become popular standards in Carnatic music, such as “Brovabarama Raghava,” “Kalinatha,” and “Sarasa Netravati.”
Carnatic music reached its peak of popularity during the rule of the Vijayanagar Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries. That was a time of great cultural and artistic flourishing, and Carnatic music flourished along with other art forms.
During the British Raj, Carnatic music was suppressed and lost some of its popularity. However, it made a comeback in the 20th century and is now enjoyed by people all over India.
Who are some of the most famous Carnatic Musicians?
Today, Carnatic music is one of the most popular genres of Indian music and is performed in concerts and festivals all over the country. Some of the most famous Carnatic musicians include M. S. Subbulakshmi, Kishori Amonkar, T.N. Krishnan, Balamuralikrishna, Lalgudi Jayaraman, Arya Shankar, and D.K. Pattammal.
1. M.S. Subhalakshmi
M.S. Subhalakshmi was a legendary Carnatic singer. Born in 1916 in India, she began performing music at a young age and quickly became a leading performer of Carnatic music. Royalty and dignitaries routinely attended her concerts over her five-decade career, which spanned India internationally. As the first Carnatic musician to receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian accolade, Her recordings are treasured by music fans worldwide. M.S. Subhalakshmi was a prominent Carnatic musician. “Bhajagovindam” and “Daruvu” are her most famous Carnatic works. It is a devotional song to Lord Krishna, while “Daruvu” is a folk song celebrating Tamil culture. Carnatic music lovers adore these songs throughout the world. M.S. Subhalakshmi also sung popular bhajans and cinema songs
2. Kishori Amonkar
Kishori Amonkar was an Indian classical musician who specialized in Carnatic music. She was born in Mumbai in 1931, and she began her musical training at a young age. She quickly became known for her unique singing style, which blended traditional Carnatic techniques with Hindustani influences. Amonkar was also an accomplished composer, and she wrote several pieces for the Carnatic orchestra. In addition to her musical career, she worked as a music teacher and an author. She passed away in 2017
3. T.N. Krishnan
T.N. Krishnan was one of the most celebrated Carnatic violinists of the 20th century. Born in Mayavaram in 1922, he began learning the violin at a young age from his father, Tiruveezhimizhalai Nataraja Iyer. He quickly mastered the instrument and gave his first public performance at eight. Krishnan’s career spanned six decades, during which time he established himself as one of the foremost exponents of Carnatic music. He gave countless concerts all over India and abroad, and his playing style was hugely influential on subsequent generations of musicians. Krishnan passed away in 2020, but his legacy as one of India’s most significant violinists lives.
4. Balamuralikrishna
M. Balamuralikrishna was an Indian Carnatic music singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. He was born in 1930 in Shucheendram, Tamil Nadu, and began his musical training at a young age. He went on to study Carnatic music under the tutelage of Sangeetha Vidwan Simhadri Iyengar. In 1954, he debuted as a Carnatic music singer at the Madras Music Academy. He was one of India’s most recorded artists and composers. His recordings cover a wide range, from traditional to modern styles in Carnatic music, with over 600 pieces written during his lifetime! He also received many awards for his music, including the Padma Vibhushan. He died at age 86 but will be remembered forever because he left behind some incredible memories through songs we still listen to today
5. Lalgudi Jayaraman
Lalgudi Jayaraman was one of the most respected figures in Carnatic music, a form of classical music that originated in India. He was a virtuoso violinist and an accomplished composer, and he helped popularize Carnatic music both in India and abroad. Jayaraman was born into a musical family in Lalgudi, Tamil Nadu, and began playing the violin at a young age. He quickly developed a unique style that combined technical mastery with expressive lyricism. Jayaraman performed all over India and many other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Europe. He also composed several film scores, such as the 1967 Tamil film “Thiruvilaiyadal.”
6. Arya Shankar
Arya Shankar is a well-known Carnatic music singer. She has been praised for her temple work and her work in Carnatic music. Her work in Carnatic music has been particularly praised, with some calling her the “crown jewel” of Carnatic music. Shankar has also been described as “one of the most beautiful voices in Carnatic music.” She began her career singing in temples and later migrated to Carnatic music. Her work in Carnatic music has earned her many accolades, including the “Best Female Carnatic Vocalist” from the Music Academy of India. Shankar is also a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
7. D.K. Pattammal
D.K. Pattammal was one of the most celebrated Carnatic musicians of her generation. Born in 1907, she began learning music at a young age and gave her first public performance when she was just eight years old. She toured extensively and collaborated with some of the biggest names in Carnatic music throughout her career, including M.S. Subbulakshmi and T.N. Rajarathinam Pillai. She was also a prolific composer, and many leading Carnatic musicians performed her works. Pattammal was a true pioneer in Carnatic music, and her contributions helped shape the sound of Carnatic music for generations to come.
