Kriti
The kriti is the most important composition in a Karnatak concert. It developed from the older kirtana and reached its height in the works of the Trinity: Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri. A kriti has three sections:
- Pallavi: the opening theme, which returns again and again.
- Anupallavi: the second section, usually rising to the upper register.
- Charanam: the final section (one or more verses), often ending with a phrase linked back to the pallavi.
A kriti may include sangatis (step-by-step variations of a line), chittaswaram (pre-composed swara passages) and the composer's mudra (signature).
Pallavi
Apart from being the first section of a kriti, pallavi is also the central part of the Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi, the main showpiece of a Karnatak concert. A single line of text set to a taal is elaborated with niraval (improvised variations of the line), trikala (singing in three speeds) and kalpana swaras (improvised swara passages).
Padam
Padam is a slow, expressive composition on themes of love (shringara), often between a devotee (as the heroine) and God (as the hero). It is used widely in Bharatanatyam for abhinaya. Kshetrayya is the best-known composer of padams, in Telugu.
Tillana
Tillana is a lively, rhythmic composition built mainly on syllables such as "dheem, ta, na, dhirana, tom" with a short line of text. It is sung near the end of a concert and usually concludes a Bharatanatyam recital. It is the Karnatak counterpart of the Hindustani tarana.
Others
- Varnam: a composition that brings out all features of a raga; used as a concert opener and as a dance centrepiece.
- Geetam: simple songs for beginners, many attributed to Purandara Dasa.
Key points
- Kriti = pallavi + anupallavi + charanam.
- Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi: alapana, rhythmic tanam, then pallavi with niraval and swaras.
- Padam: slow, shringara, Kshetrayya, used in dance.
- Tillana: rhythmic syllables, counterpart of tarana.
Exam tips
- Pair each Karnatak form with its Hindustani counterpart where possible (tillana-tarana).
- Remember order of kriti sections; it is often asked.