By Vijayamala K. Saralaya

Surabhi Ganakala Mandira, Mysuru, had organised a lecture demonstration on Raga – Tana – Pallavi on 21st March, 2021 under its quarterly cultural programme. The programme was carried out ably by the resource person, Vidu. Dr. R.N. Sreelatha, senior musicologist and retired Principal of College of Fine Arts, University of Mysore (UoM). 

Raga-Tana-Pallavi — believed to be the finest form of manodharma sangeetha in Karnatak music and is a testimony to a musician’s accomplishment, scholarship and talent — is one of the final lessons taught in the learning process. Dr. Sreelatha explained the classical methods of presenting the art.

She commenced her lec-dem with the analysis of the word Pallavi and dealt upon the aspects, such as origin of Pallavi-singing, its characteristics and method of creation, importance of eduppu and aarudhi and the rules governing Pallavi rendering. She then narrated the various formats — anuloma, viloma, prathiloma etc. — by singing a Pallavi in each style. 

The variants such as Ratte Pallavi, Swarakshara Pallavi, Ragamalika Pallavi, Dvinade Pallavi etc. were explained with live examples. Finally Dr. Sreelatha extensively illustrated the approach to render Raga-Tana-Pallavi by singing a pallavi in Kalyani raga set to chaturashra triputa tala.  

Undoubtedly, this educative session was successful in its purpose. The audience, consisting of music students also got their doubts clarified to their satisfaction. The support on violin by Vidu. Dr. Veena Suresh, and the contribution of Vid. Prof. G.S. Ramanujan on mridanga was worth mentioning.