Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 12-1 pm
Gribbel Room 202A, 2nd floor Olin Library
Join us for a lunchtime concert with Dr. Karaikudi S. Subramanian, a ninth-generation vīṇā player from the renowned Karaikudi tradition, founder of the Brhaddhvani Research & Training Centre for Musics of the World, and Wesleyan alumnus (MA Music, 1977; PhD Ethnomusicology, 1985).
Subramanian’s vīṇā performance will be a demonstration of Tānam elaboration. Tānam, in South Indian music, extends the improvisational aspects of rāga through free-flowing rhythmic pulses, with cascading patterns built around rāga phrases but without a tāḷa structure. Rāga ālāpana also elaborates on a rāga, focusing purely on its characteristics without tāḷa, showcasing the performer’s technical virtuosity at various speeds, both vocal and instrumental. Vocalists may use the word tānam to suggest anantam (eternal) or ānandam (bliss), along with rhythmic syllables such as nom-ta and tom-ta. Vīṇā players incorporate the use of side strings to bring a free rhythmic flow while emphasizing the characteristics of the rāga. While some vīṇā players emulate vocal techniques in speed, the Kāraikuḍi style emphasizes a meditative middle-speed elaboration known as madhyamakāḷa. Ghana means weighty, substantial. The ragas chosen are the five traditional ragas: Nāttai, Gaulai, Ārabhi, Varāḷi and Śri.
Later that afternoon, Dr. Subramanian will give the opening lecture for Wesleyan’s 48th annual Navaratri Festival.
Sponsored by the World Music Archives & Music Library / wma@wesleyan.edu.