What are the contents of Carnatic Music? Like Saraliswaras, Jantaswaras, Dhatuswaras, etc.

Hi, Please excuse me for the lengthy answer. I will try to keep it as concise as possible. Carnatic music consists of a set of basic lessons or "Abhyasa Gana". These are meant to help students learn the fundamental concepts like Shruthi, Swara, Raga, Tala etc and put them into practice. We can categorise the Abhyasa Gana as follows: 1. Set of fundamental sequences or Varisais which are a. Sarali Varisai (basic sequencing of swaras in ascending and descending) b. Jantai Varisai (involves singing swaras repeatedly, atleast twice, in sequence) c. Dhatu Varisai (involves out-of-sequence swara combinations) d. Tara Sthayi Varisai (aimed at improving upper octave singing) e. Mandhara Sthayi Varisai (aimed at improving lower octave singing. This is a more recent introduction which employs reversing of the Tara sthayi lesson sequences) 2. Alankaram - lessons aimed at intoducing the Sapta Talas or the 7 fundamental talas of Carnatic Music. (All the basic lessons upto Alankaram are taught in Raga Mayamalavagowlai, but the lessons could be practiced in other ragas as well.) 3. Geethams - simple songs with swara notation, which are set in different Ragas and Talas 4. Swarajathis - simple compositions created mainly as dance songs 5. Varnams - Have a more complex structure and sung in varying speeds (kala pramanam) 6. Krithis - Musical compositions forming major part of Carnatic Music, fit for stage presentation (Sabha Ganam) Once learning begins with the Varnams and Krithis, the students should start transitioning from Abhyasa geetham to Manodharma sangeetham. Manodharma is the art of improvisation which brings out the musical creativity of the individual. It is performed within certain defining rules of Carnatic Music such as Gamakas (swara oscillations pertaining to each and every Carnatic raga), Tala and Kalapramana of the compositions etc. Manodharma Sangeetham has aspects like Raga Alapana, Tanam, Pallavi, Neraval, Kalpana Swaram etc, which could be understood after reaching a certain level of proficiency. Hence I'm omitting their elaboration here. Varnams and Kritis help a lot in practicing and accommodating these manodharma aspects. The highest level of Manodharma singing is a unique composition called Ragam Tanam Pallavi (RTP as it is abbreviated in concert pattern) which is an entirely creative composition by a Carnatic Performer. Every music learner should strive to constantly improve one's creativity if they wish to excel in the field of Carnatic Music. Practice of all the basic lessons repeatedly in various ragas and with gamakas will help in this process. Hope this answers your question. read less

Sarliswaras, Jantaswaras, Dhatuswaras, Mandhrasthayi, uppersthayi, 7 Alankaram - 1 to 3 speed Geetham , Lakshana geetham, Swara Jathi, Jathi Swaram, notes, basic varnam (15 more ragaas), pathajathi varnam, Adathala varnam, Kiritis (mummoorthy , Babanasam, Shivan, Gopalakrishna Bharathy, Thirupugal, purantharadas, Muthudhandavar, Marimuthar pillai, Arunachala kavi rayar , etc..), Raga alapanai, Thillana These are all (not limited to but) can be part of content of Carnatic Music read less