Samgita Taranga

Preserving and propagating the timeless beauty of Classical Indian music and dance in the heart of our community

The Essence of Samgita Taranga

Samgita embodies the complete aesthetic experience of Indian classical arts – encompassing Gita (Vocal Music), Vadya (Instrumental Music), and Nrtya (Classical Dance). Taranga means ‘Wave’ – together, Samgita Taranga represents the flowing, ever-evolving ‘Wave of Music’ that connects generations through the divine language of classical arts.

Why Samgita

Samgita is not merely music – it is a complete spiritual and aesthetic journey that has been the cornerstone of Indian culture for millennia. In our fast-paced modern world, Samgita offers a sanctuary where tradition meets innovation, where the ancient wisdom of our musical heritage provides solace, discipline, and profound joy. It cultivates not just artistic skills, but character, patience, and a deep connection to our cultural roots. Through Samgita, we don’t just learn music – we discover ourselves.

Why Samgita Taranga

Founded by passionate young artists who believe that classical Indian music and dance should thrive in every corner of our nation, Samgita Taranga brings world-class training to our community. We understand that true learning happens when tradition is passed down with love, dedication, and modern pedagogical approaches. Our institute is built on the foundation of authentic guru-shishya tradition while embracing contemporary teaching methods to make classical arts accessible and engaging for today’s learners.

Gita – The Voice of Tradition

Origins of Carnatic Music

Carnatic music, one of the two main traditions of Indian classical music, has its roots in the ancient Vedic chants and has evolved over centuries. Originating in South India, this divine art form is characterized by its sophisticated raga system, complex rhythmic patterns, and spiritual depth that connects the performer and listener to the divine.

The Trinity of Carnatic Music

Saint Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri – the revered Trinity of Carnatic music – revolutionized the tradition in the 18th century. Their compositions form the cornerstone of Carnatic music today, each bringing their unique style and spiritual depth to this ancient art form.

Modern Maestros

From M.S. Subbulakshmi to Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, from T.M. Krishna to Bombay Jayashri, contemporary Carnatic musicians continue to push boundaries while preserving the tradition’s sanctity. These artists have taken Carnatic music to global stages, proving its universal appeal and timeless relevance.

The Learning Path

Carnatic music education follows a structured approach starting with basic exercises (Sarali Varisai), progressing through scales (Alankaras), compositions (Kritis), and eventually to advanced forms like Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi. Each step builds upon the previous, creating a strong foundation for lifelong musical growth.

Raga System

The heart of Carnatic music lies in its elaborate raga system – melodic frameworks that evoke specific emotions and are associated with particular times of day or seasons. With over 300 ragas in regular use, each carries its own personality, mood, and spiritual significance.

Tala and Rhythm

The rhythmic aspect of Carnatic music is equally sophisticated, with complex tala systems that provide the temporal framework for compositions. From the simple Adi tala to the complex Sankirna jati talas, rhythm in Carnatic music is both mathematical and artistic.

Vadya – Instrumental Excellence

Veena – The Divine Instrument

The Veena, often called the king of instruments, holds a special place in Carnatic music. With its rich, resonant tone and capacity for intricate melodic expression, the Veena is the instrument of choice for serious students seeking to understand the nuances of Carnatic music. Its frets allow for perfect intonation while its strings provide the dynamic range needed for emotional expression.

Violin – Melodic Flexibility

The violin, though Western in origin, has been completely absorbed into Carnatic music, becoming an integral part of the tradition. Its ability to glide seamlessly between notes makes it perfect for rendering the gamakas (ornamentations) that are central to Carnatic music. The violin’s role both as a solo instrument and as accompaniment makes it versatile and popular.

Keyboard – Modern Adaptation

The keyboard represents the modern face of Carnatic music, allowing students to understand harmony and rhythm while maintaining the melodic traditions of the system. Electronic keyboards with Indian instrument sounds bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary, making Carnatic music accessible to urban learners.

Learning Approach

Instrumental learning in Carnatic music follows the vocal tradition, with students first learning to sing compositions before adapting them to their instruments. This approach ensures that the musical phrases remain connected to their lyrical and emotional content, maintaining the spiritual essence of the music.

Technique and Expression

Each instrument requires specific techniques to achieve the gamakas and ornamentations that define Carnatic music. From the finger work on the Veena to the bowing techniques on the violin, students learn not just to play notes, but to make their instruments sing with emotion and spiritual depth.

Ensemble Playing

Instrumental students learn the art of accompaniment, understanding how to support vocal music and other instruments. This collaborative aspect of Carnatic music teaches students to listen deeply, respond sensitively, and contribute to the collective musical experience.

Nrtya – Dance as Divine Expression

Bharatanatyam Origins

Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest classical dance forms, originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu over 2000 years ago. Originally performed by Devadasis as offerings to deities, this sacred art form combines precise movements, expressive gestures, and spiritual devotion to create a complete aesthetic experience that transcends mere entertainment.

The Revival Movement

In the early 20th century, pioneering artists like Rukmini Devi Arundale and Balasaraswati led the revival of Bharatanatyam, transforming it from a temple art to a concert form. Their efforts preserved the dance’s spiritual essence while making it accessible to a broader audience, establishing the foundations of modern Bharatanatyam pedagogy.

Elements of Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam is built on the foundation of Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (expressive dance), and Natya (dramatic element). The dance employs a sophisticated vocabulary of movements including adavus (basic steps), mudras (hand gestures), and abhinaya (facial expressions) to convey stories, emotions, and spiritual concepts.

The Margam Tradition

The traditional Bharatanatyam recital follows the Margam format, a structured sequence including Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam, and Tillana. Each segment serves a specific purpose in the dancer’s spiritual journey, from invocation to climactic devotion, creating a complete emotional and aesthetic arc.

Contemporary Masters

Modern Bharatanatyam has been enriched by legendary dancers like Yamini Krishnamurthy, Alarmel Valli, and Malavika Sarukkai, who have expanded the art form’s expressive possibilities while maintaining its classical integrity. Their innovations continue to inspire new generations of dancers to explore the infinite possibilities within tradition.

Mind-Body Integration

Bharatanatyam training develops not only physical stamina and flexibility but also mental discipline and emotional intelligence. Students learn to coordinate complex movements with precise timing, while simultaneously expressing subtle emotions through facial expressions and hand gestures, creating a holistic development of personality.

Media – Celebrating Excellence

Featured Concert

Annual Concert 2024

Our students showcase their talents in this memorable evening of classical music and dance.

Bharatanatyam Recital

Arangetram Highlights

Celebrating the dedication and artistry of our graduating dance students.

Instrumental Ensemble

Vadya Ensemble

A beautiful collaboration of Veena, Violin, and traditional percussion.

🎵 Spotify

Carnatic Classics

Curated collection of timeless Carnatic compositions by legendary artists.

📺 YouTube

Learning Sessions

Educational videos featuring technique demonstrations and music theory.

🎵 Spotify

Dance Rhythms

Essential compositions for Bharatanatyam practice and performance.

Contact Us

Get in Touch

Schedule a personalized consultation to discuss your musical journey and find the perfect program for you.

Contact Information

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Phone:
+91 98765 43210
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[email protected]
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Address:
123 Music Lane, Arts District
Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001
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