Carnatic Music , folk songs and  Hindustani Music

Every aspect in Vedic tradition has only one goal, to help one transcend to the Awareness state. Vedic Music is not an exception from that purpose. The repetition in carnatic (karnatic)  and Hindustani music and in all Vedic dances are all meant for that pulling the mind inward to the deep Awareness state.

Repetition is seen in all Vedic arts and dances. The repetition might look boring but it has a tremendous impact on the spectators to help them transcend to the Awareness state. But every time the artist repeats the sequence, he or she along with the audience transcend to the state of being, the Awareness state.

 Hence all Vedic Arts whether it is Music or Dance were considered divine. Why divine, because they all help to transcend to the Awareness state, which is the state of "Being / Atman.

     This aspect makes Carnatic and Hindustani and other folk songs of Vedic tradition distinct all from modern  music. Modern music  satiates the sensory mind and so gives instant pleasure in hearing it. It makes  the body rock and tickles the sensory mind, but not help to transcend to the Awareness state. It keeps the mind more in the physical body and emotional-mind state.

Music in Vedic tradition are not only entertaining but also helps to transcend to the higher Self. All Vedic music gives spiritual "Aananda" verses the "happiness" given through other music (Click here to know the difference between Aananda & happiness).

 The attitude of the performer is very different in the Vedic culture. The use their body mere as a tool to reach the state of Awareness that is what one reaches in Meditation. In this state one experiences bliss which is different from happiness. This is because one experience freedom from the wandering mind which is always anxious of the future or depressed about the past.

     While performing or observing the Vedic Music or Dance, one transcends the wandering nature of mind, the Ego which overshadows always the Awareness state. The Awareness that we are not  always aware of is brought about through Vedic Arts. This is   the very purpose of Vedic Arts. It is like all other Vedic Rituals. Hence during this Vedic performance the skilled performer brings the Audience to this Awareness state. Hence all Music performers call their performance as "Sadhana".

Sadhana is a term used by a spiritual aspirant to reach the Awareness state. Music becomes a Sadhana because it helps to reach this Awareness state. great Musicians like Shri Thiayagarajar , Purandara Dasar reached the Divine state of Awareness through Music. Among the five Pancha bhootas, the Space  element is the sound aspect that is closest to the Consciousness state.  

The seven sounds are known in Indian notation as sadjamam, rsabham, gandharam, madhayamam, panchamam, dhaivatam, and nisadam. Namely, sa, ri, ga, ma, pa, dha, and ni. The specific origins came from specific sounds in nature.

Will soon will come with the symbolism behind these notes.