Photos by Audrey Anderson
Shanbhogue, Swaroop, and Natraj keep their eyes on each other as they improvise South Indian Carnatic music
By Audrey Anderson
Hometown Weekly Reporter
It was a rare treat and absolute pleasure to see Pranav Swaroop, Sanath Shanbhogue, and Shivaraj Natraj perform South Indian classical Carnatic music at the Dover Town Library (DTL). These three accomplished musicians performed lively, traditional, energetic, and partly improvised music with Swaroop on violin, Shanbhogue on mridangam, and Natraj on khanjira.
Carnatic music is 150 to 200 years old, and it was originally part of Hindu scriptural worship, though there are now secular versions as well. In the Hindu way of life, there are four Vedas (scriptures). Carnatic music comes from Samaveda, which includes chants and melodies.
According to Wikipedia, Carnatic music is based on a backbone which includes the “ ‘svarna’ (musical sound of a single note), the ‘raga’ (mode or melodic formulae), and the ‘tala’ (rhythmic cycles).” These three elements as well as sections (similar to verses and a chorus) are set by the composition, and the musicians improvise within them, showing off their melodic skill and rhythmic abilities. The musicians maintain eye contact while playing to stay together and manage improvisations.
The lead instrument in Carnatic music is usually the voice, but at the DTL, most of the compositions were played with violin in the lead. In this style of music, all of the musicians play together, and then sometimes the lead plays alone and the percussion responds. Also, the percussion instruments play in conversation, meaning one plays and the other responds.
The mridangam is a double-sided barrel drum played on the lap. One side is treble, and the other side is bass. It is played with both fingers and palms. The khanjira is a tambourine-like instrument, played with one hand and held with the other. Underneath the lead instrument and percussion instruments, a drone maintains a single note. It is usually played on a tambura (a long-necked string instrument). At the DTL, an electronic drone was used. Other instruments can be added. Carnatic music is often accompanied by dancing. Women usually dance, but some men do as well.
Swaroop is an internationally recognized and celebrated Carnatic violinist. His fingers fly over the neck of the instrument producing enchanting melodies including swoops and bent pitches. Shanbhogue plays frenetic, highly complex rhythms on the mridangam. He is also a vocalist. Natraj is a student at Berklee School of Music. He was trained in Carnatic vocal music, and he is interested in combining Carnatic music with other genres.
All three musicians are members of Project Mishram, an internationally recognized band that blends Carnatic music with progressive metal and jazz fusion. Project Mishram has performed on multiple international tours. They have also performed at the hard rock festival “Louder Than Sound” in Louisville, Kentucky, along with Slipknot, Judas Priest and Evanescence. To hear Project Mishram’s music, listen to “Sera” at https://youtu.be/JW8Zo_uELPA.
