Writing Notation: Adi Tala Varnam (Two Speeds) MCQs Quiz | Class 10

Understanding Adi Tala Varnam and Notation

The Varnam is a foundational composition in Carnatic Music, serving as a practice piece, a performance item, and a medium for showcasing the melodic and rhythmic intricacies of a Raga. The Adi Tala Varnam is particularly significant, set to the popular Adi Tala, and often presented in two speeds (Kalas) to demonstrate control over tempo and phrasing.

Key Concepts

1. Adi Tala Explained

Adi Tala is one of the most common talas (rhythmic cycles) in Carnatic music. It is a Chaturasra Jaati Triputa Tala. Its structure consists of a Laghu (4 beats) followed by two Dhrutams (2 beats each), totaling 8 aksharas per avartanam. This forms the basis for rhythmic calculations and alignment in compositions.

2. Structure of an Adi Tala Varnam

A Varnam has several sections, each with a specific melodic and rhythmic purpose:

• Pallavi: The opening section, usually comprising two lines of sahityam (lyrics). It is sung once in the first speed, then a second time in double speed, followed by a return to the first speed.
• Anupallavi: The second section, following the Pallavi, also typically with two lines of sahityam. Similar to Pallavi, it’s sung in two speeds.
• Muktayi Swaram: A set of intricate swara passages (solfa syllables) that are sung after the Anupallavi. This section is crucial for demonstrating technical virtuosity.
• Charanam: The main body of the Varnam, usually longer and often exploring different melodic phrases.
• Chittai Swarams / Ettugada Swarams: These are swara passages that follow the Charanam. There can be multiple Chittai Swarams, each sung after the Charanam and then typically followed by the Madhyamakala Sahityam.
• Madhyamakala Sahityam: A lyrical passage often integrated with or following the Chittai Swarams, sung at a moderate (madhyama) tempo.

3. Notation Writing for Carnatic Music

Notation is the written representation of musical compositions. For Carnatic music, it involves documenting the swaras (notes), their durations, and their alignment with the tala. Key elements include:

• Swaras: Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni. Variations (e.g., Suddha Rishabham, Chathusruthi Rishabham) are indicated by numbers or specific symbols.
• Duration: Represented by lines, dots, or spaces.
  • A dash (-) after a swara indicates a longer duration, usually one additional akshara.
  • A comma (,) or semi-colon (;) might separate groups of swaras within an akshara.
  • Tala angas (Laghu, Dhrutam, Anudhrutam) are often indicated explicitly or implicitly in the notation to mark rhythmic divisions.
• Tala Markers: Vertical lines (|) are used to mark the end of an avartanam, and double vertical lines (||) mark the end of a section or composition.

4. Speed Handling (Kala Pramanam)

In Carnatic music, compositions are often performed in different speeds or ‘kalas’. A Varnam, especially, emphasizes this. ‘Two speeds’ typically refers to:

• First Speed (Vilambita Kala): The base tempo, where each note gets its standard duration.
• Second Speed (Madhyama Kala): Double the tempo of the first speed, meaning each note is rendered twice as fast. Sometimes, an implied third speed (Druta Kala – four times the first speed) might also be touched upon, though ‘two speeds’ primarily refers to the first two.

Notation for two speeds involves writing the second speed passage with more density of notes within the same time frame or marking the section explicitly as “double speed” (e.g., dviguna kala).

5. Tala Alignment

Tala alignment is ensuring that the musical phrases and notes fit precisely within the rhythmic cycle (tala). This means:

• Every note’s duration contributes correctly to the total aksharas of an avartanam.
• Phrases start and end at appropriate points within the tala structure.
• When a composition is rendered in different speeds, the underlying tala remains constant, but the number of notes per akshara changes accordingly. For example, if one akshara had two notes in the first speed, it would have four notes in the second speed.

Quick Revision Points

• Adi Tala is an 8-akshara cycle (I4 O O).
• Varnams are structured compositions with Pallavi, Anupallavi, Muktayi Swaram, Charanam, and Chittai Swarams.
• Notation uses swaras, duration markers, and tala symbols to represent music.
• ‘Two speeds’ in Varnam refers to performing at the base tempo and then at double the tempo.
• Tala alignment is critical for precise rhythmic execution and accurate notation.

Practice Questions

1. Which part of an Adi Tala Varnam typically follows the Anupallavi?
2. If a phrase written in first speed has two swaras per akshara, how many swaras would it have per akshara when performed in second speed?
3. What is the total number of aksharas in one avartanam of Khanda Jaati Triputa Tala (I5 O O)?
4. What is the function of the double vertical line (||) in Carnatic notation?
5. Name two types of swaras (notes) that can appear in an octave.