| Reimagining the Uttarāṇgam: Rhythmic and Melodic Innovations in the Varṇa-s of Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna |
| The varṇam occupies a significant position in Carnatic music as both a pedagogical composition and a concert item. A varṇam has two parts- the poorvangam- having pallavi, anupallavi and muktāyi swaram; and the uttarāṇgam- which consists of the charaṇam and the chittaswaras. While the uttarāṇgam section of traditional varṇa-s generally serves to reinforce rāga lakṣaṇa, laya control, and swara proficiency, the varṇa-s of Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna reveal a markedly different compositional approach. Through innovative handling of graha swaras, unconventional rhythmic structures, patterned chiṭṭaswara architecture, yati designs, and distinctive approaches to coming back to the graha swara (charaṇam), BMK expanded the expressive and structural possibilities of the uttarāṇgam. This paper examines selected varṇa-s composed by BMK and analyses the ways in which he transformed the second half of the varṇam from a predominantly pedagogical section into a creative compositional space. The study demonstrates that BMK's varṇa-s function not only as learning material but also as sophisticated musical constructions that embody experimentation within the framework of Carnatic tradition. |
| Author: Mrs Prasanna VSL Namatheerdhala
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Submitted on : 30-May-2026
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Arts : India/ Music/ Carnatic Classical Music |
| Journal ID : 0031-101-0343
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| Views: 32/ Downloads :0 |
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