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Andhra Pradesh
is one of the important centres of music in South India. Four centuries-
from the 15th to the 18th - witnessed the golden age of musical literature
in Telugu representing compositions by celebrated "Vaggeyakaras"
from "Annamacharya" to "Thyagaraja".
Annamacharya's Keertanas
Annamacharya
is one the eminent poet saints of Andhra Pradesh. A passionate devotee of
Lord Venkateswara and a great personality whose literary work is
storehouse of astounding treasure. Sri Annamacharya composed several poems
in Telugu and Sanskrit in praise of the Lord Venkateswara.
Popularly known as "Praja Kavi", his compositions are rich in
literary value and also for the "Adhyatmik" (Spiritual) sense
they are intended to impart to the masses. Annamacharya's 'Keertanas'
(devotional songs) became the base for the "Manasa Kala Mandir".
Telugu and Sanskrit were the pillars of support, the chanting of 'Slokas'
were the steps and 'Dharma' (duty), 'Artha' (greed), 'Kama' (lust) and
'Moksha' (salvation) were the four boundaries. All these inspired
Annamacharya to render devotional compositions.
Sri Annamacharya's pleasant renderings have a profound impact on the
daily lives of the people. For many generations, children in Andhra have
been familiarised to music through the lullaby of Annamacharya's famous
composition "Jo Achutananda Jo Jo Mukunda".
Ramadas Keertanas
A legendary Telugu poet of Andhra Pradesh born in the 17th century in
Nelakondsapalli, a small village in Khammam
district, 'Gopanna' was his real name.
He composed several Keertanas in praise of Lord Rama. His compositions
have a touch of intense devotion and refreshing fervour and are candid.
His sheer transparency of the soul compels the attention of many towards
his songs. The passion and liveliness in his songs have carved a niche for
it in the tradition of devotional poetry. Ramadas' songs are a reflection
of the deeply felt bittersweet agonies and ecstasies of a devotee in
distress.
He disclosed his ardent devotional pining in the language he knew - the
dialect of the heart - simple, emotive and touching. His music is rightly
described as mood music since it is clear, unadorned, easily understood
and touches the sensitive chord in the listener.
Carnatic Music
Music of southern India that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions and
was relatively unaffected by the Arabic and Iranian influences. It is also
spelled 'Karnatic' Music. The very word "Carnatic" means
traditional or ancient.
The Deccan region combining Andhra Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu
and Karnataka
played the important role in the development of Carnatic music down the
centuries. Andhra Pradesh is one of the chief centres for present-day
Carnatic music apart from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and
Kerala .
In contrast to northern styles, Carnatic music is more thoroughly
oriented to the voice. Fewer instruments are used in Carnatic music and
there are no exclusively instrumental forms.
Compositions of Carnatic music constitute the most popular face of the
art, while the ragas work at another level. The 'Kritis' of Tyagaraja,
Muthuswami Dikshitar, Shyama Shastri (all 18th century) and later
composers, set within the Carnatic ragas, constitute over half of each
typical concert. To many listeners, the music of the south has a
restrained and intellectual character as compared with the music of the
more secular Hindustani traditions.
Folk Songs
The true rhythm of India lies in its folk music. Andhra Pradesh is rich
in its traditional folk art forms, which have provided popular
entertainment for the common folk, imparting traditional education while
providing entertainment. Folk life and Folk art are inseparably
intertwined with each other. Folk music is the music of the masses. Every
event of life has a unique folk song associated with it. They are sung in
during festivals, advent of the new season birth of a child, or day-to-day
affairs like teasing one's loved one, admiring nature, etc.
The
masses of Andhra Pradesh are fun lovers and the most favourite means of
enjoying on any occasions are folk songs. People gather at one place on
any event either it may be a happy or sad moment. They start singing and
through these songs they express their happiness or sorrow.
There are also folksongs on pilgrimages,
medicine, funeral, marriage, mythology, and lullabies. The most famous
among the village folk are songs on deities and satires of village life,
country songs, labour songs, and humorous.
Harvest Songs
Andhra Pradesh is predominantly an agricultural state. Harvest songs are
most popular among the farmers. During the harvest season, farmers working
in fields sing to forget their tiredness. They sing in happiness as their
handwork is being rewarded.
Ksetrayya Padalu
The Padam is a poetic composition based on a theme from Hindu mythology
or the theme of courtly love, an allegory for the human soul yearning for
union with the Divine. Shades of feeling are conveyed by the delicacy of
the facial expressions. Padams are often used in dance.
An Expressive Song
Inspired by the south Indian 'Bhakti' cult, the genre reached its zenith
in the hands of the Telugu masters like "Ksetrayya" of the 15th
century. Eroticism and god go together in the Telugu poetry of Ksetrayya.
The Padams of Ksetrayya demand the expression of a whole range of human
sentiment in a slow tempo and a melody that perfectly match the emotional
climate that is created.
Ksetrayya Padalu is very famous and these days many of these songs are
sung at Bharatanatyam performances.