Helpful Resources
Practice
Chakras
Tanpura
- Tanpura: in A (for group sessions / best for most people)
- Tanpura: in B
- Tanpura: in C
- Tanpura: in E
- Tanpura: in F
- Tanpura: in G#
Exercises
Sheet Music
Online lectures
Raga - Dr. Charulathi Mani
- Raga Hindolam
An introduction to the meditative five note raga, Hindolam. - Raga Kalyani
An introduction to the powerful sunset raga that comes into its own at auspicious celebrations, Kalyani. - Raga Mohanam
The joyful pentatonic raga known found throughout the world, Mohanam - Raga Pantuvarali
Introduction to the meditative, mystical raga, Pantuvarali. - Raga Thodi
Introduction to the deep concert raga, Thodi (Hanumathodi)
Raga - Prince Rama Varma
- Raga Mayamalavagowla
Insights into the most essential raga for Carnatic and Yoga Nadopasana morning practice
Konnakol - Asaf Sirkis
- Konnakol, the percussion language
A professional drummer who learnt konnakol as an outsider, Asaf has recorded a free series which makes this wonderful vocal percussion language easy to follow.
Konnakol - Somashekar Jois
- Konnakol, the percussion language
The first video in an online series teaching this fascinating language combining mathematics with music. No child would be left behind at maths if they were taught this at school.
Songs - Prince Rama Varma
- Endaro Mahanubhavulu
The great, humble teacher shares his insights into one of the opus works of Carnatic music, Thygaraja's sublime Endaro Mahanubhavulu in Sree Raga
Listening
Vocal
- KP Nandini - Aasai Mugam
A young vocalist with a voice of great weight and texture. This is a deeply moving version of the famous poem about loss and longing by the iconic 20th century Tamil poet and freedom fighter, Subramanya Bharathiyar, in raga Jonpuri - Jon Higgins - Krisha Nee Begane Baro
Wonderful rendition by Jon Higgins, the American pioneer of Carnatic music, who in the 1960s paved the way for everyone else not born into the tradition - KV Narayanswamy in concert
Live concert from Madras (1986) by one of the great vocalists. The opens with Viriboni, a varnam in raga Bhairavi which is considered to be one of the jewels of the repertoire. - Rama Varma - Ambarame Thaneere
Prince Rama Varma is not only a senior member of the Travancore royal family, but one of the most engaging lecturers and performers in all Carnatic music. This piece, in the raga Kalyani, was written by Andal, the 8th century poet and one of South India's most important female icons - Sudha Raghunathan - Ghananaya Desika
Exquisite performance by the greatest Carnatic vocalist of her day. The piece is unique because the lyrics and melody by Sri Koteeswara Iyer are an ode to the majesty of the seven notes, the saptaswara, themselves. Recorded at the Bhavan Centre in London, the best and most accessible Indian cultural centre in the world. - TM Krishna - Endaro Mahanubhavulu
One of the golden compositions of Carnatic music by Sri Thyagaraja, rendered slowly and beautifully by one of its greatest living male singers. - TM Krishna - Saramaina Matalento
Poised, nuanced performance of Swathi Thirunal's piece in raga Behag, which is known for its beautiful melodic contours.
Instrumental
- Kadri Gopalnath - Where the Saxophone Speaks
The saxophone reimagined as a pure instrument for classical Carnatic music, by a unique artist who made it sound like a temple nagaswaram - M Nageswara Rao - Solo Veena - Reflections of India (1968)
Exquisite solo veena album by my teacher Bruno Leduc's guru, M. Nageswara Rao - TM Krishna with Kaleeshabi and Sheik Mahaboob Subhani
Excellent recording showing the concert virtuosity of the long double-reed oboe, the South Indian nagaswaram, in the relaxing Raga Kapi
Watching
- If You Can Play Carnatic Music, You Can Play Anything
Interview with the sublime violinist Akkarai Subhalakshmi (who also features on many of the TM Krishna videos above) on learning Carnatic music, the history of the violin in India and what makes it so special. - Alapana - Four views of movement in Carnatic music
Film about the working life of a Carnatic violinist living in the pilgrimage town of Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, in which ethnography, animation and visual effects are woven together to create an exploration of movement and gesture in music. - Carnatic Cornet
Interesting new documentary about a trumpet player's journey in Carnatic music - Eternal Raga
Character based documentary with insight into social pressures on female singers - Ocean of Melody
An official government film, but still a good introduction in English with some great artists - TN Krishnan
1977 documentary about the great violinist, TN Krishnan
Reading
Jonathan’s Blog
Some blog posts from my time in India
- An Audience of One
Sound healing, intent, receptivity and magic - At A Carnatic Concert, Pondicherry
Awe-inspiring memorial concert for Mandolin Srinivas - Esoteric Music - Tibetan Singing Bowls and Khoomi Overtone Singing
Reflections on an introductory workshop with Michael Ormiston & Candida Valentino - Improvisation and the Body
A physical method for singing and improvising flawlessly - On Music and Healing
Inside the magical, mystical world of sound, healing and great art - Sringara
A philosophical framework for everything you love - Towards an Indian Music Therapy
Reflections on a week with Nigel Osborne
Library
Articles and books for more in-depth research
- Mode and Raga, Powers
- Rasaesthetics, Schechner
- Perceptual, Acoustical, and Musical Aspects of the Tambura Drone, Carterette et al
- Theory Of Rasa, Chaudhury
- Understanding Mantras, Alper
Websites
- Carnatic Student
Priceless resource put together by Amsterdam-based Ludwig Pesch, who has studied Carnatic flute in depth for decades and has put together the best resource for learners in English on the internet. - Rasikas Forum
Rasika is a Sanskrit term for music lover, and this active and passionate forum for Carnatic fans in the best resource in English for questions about any aspect of Carnatic music - Sangeetha Priya
Priceless source for fans sharing live recordings