Sopanam
Information about Sopanam
Sopanam is a form of Indian classical music developed in the temples of Kerala in the wake of the increasing popularity of the Jayadeva's 'Gita Govinda' or 'Ashtapathi'. Sopanasangitham is sung by the side of the steps (Sopanam) of Temple, with the accompaniment of the drum called 'Idakka'. The sopanasangitam in its traditional form is seen at its best among the Marars and Poduvals, who were hereditary Ambalavasi Ardha Brahmanas (Semi Brahmins) engaged to do the same.
Kerala has shared the general musical culture of peninsular India from the earliest times. South Indian music is generally known as Carnatic music because of its common features. Each region of the south has its own culture. Kerala's music is known as Sopanam. Sangeetam (Music) appears to have acquired its name from the 'Sopanam' which means 'Sanctum Sanctorum' of the temple. Its essential features were born out of a happy blending of the Vedic, the folk and tribal music of the region.
The characteristic features of this music are, simple structure and peculiar forms of expression.
The structure of the Sopanam music is believed to reflect the experience of the devotee in ascending the heights of devotion. Sopanam music developed and became popular through the practice of singing invocatory songs in front of the 'Kalam' of Kali (floor drawing of Kali) and later on at the sanctum of the temple. There are a few powerful schools connected with the temples like Pazhoor, Thirumandhamkunnu,Guruvayoor, Ramamangalam. In these temples, this music had been hereditarily practiced by temple singers. Neralattu Rama Poduval of Thirumandhamkunnu bani, Janardhanan Nedungadi of Guruvayoor, Damodara Marar belonging to the Mudiyettu bant of Pazhoor are some of the most effective experts.
Sopanam music as it is practiced in different schools, maintains its rustic nuances with the feeling of devotion as its basic quality. From the temple sanctum this music has taken many diversions and grown as dance music in Ashtapadiyattam; the mold of which was later adopted by Krishnanattam, devotional music in Kalam pattu and dramatic music in Mudiyettu and Kathakali. In spite of its ramified developments, it failed to become pure concert music. Carnatic music, also known as
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Kerala has shared the general musical culture of peninsular India from the earliest times. South Indian music is generally known as Carnatic music because of its common features. Each region of the south has its own culture. Kerala's music is known as Sopanam. Sangeetam (Music) appears to have acquired its name from the 'Sopanam' which means 'Sanctum Sanctorum' of the temple. Its essential features were born out of a happy blending of the Vedic, the folk and tribal music of the region.
The characteristic features of this music are, simple structure and peculiar forms of expression.
The structure of the Sopanam music is believed to reflect the experience of the devotee in ascending the heights of devotion. Sopanam music developed and became popular through the practice of singing invocatory songs in front of the 'Kalam' of Kali (floor drawing of Kali) and later on at the sanctum of the temple. There are a few powerful schools connected with the temples like Pazhoor, Thirumandhamkunnu,Guruvayoor, Ramamangalam. In these temples, this music had been hereditarily practiced by temple singers. Neralattu Rama Poduval of Thirumandhamkunnu bani, Janardhanan Nedungadi of Guruvayoor, Damodara Marar belonging to the Mudiyettu bant of Pazhoor are some of the most effective experts.
Sopanam music as it is practiced in different schools, maintains its rustic nuances with the feeling of devotion as its basic quality. From the temple sanctum this music has taken many diversions and grown as dance music in Ashtapadiyattam; the mold of which was later adopted by Krishnanattam, devotional music in Kalam pattu and dramatic music in Mudiyettu and Kathakali. In spite of its ramified developments, it failed to become pure concert music.
The origins of Indian classical music can be found from the oldest of scriptures, part of the Hindu tradition, the Vedas. Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music at length. Indian classical music has its origins as a meditation tool for attaining self realization.
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Kerala (/span>]] ?· i ; Malayalam: ; Kēraḷaṁ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India.
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Kerala (/span>]] ?· i ; Malayalam: ; Kēraḷaṁ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India.
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Jayadeva is considered one of the greatest Sanskrit poets of all times. He lived in Orissa circa 1200 AD. Among his compositions is the well known Gita Govinda. This epic poem depicts the divine love of the Hindu deity Krishna and his consort, Radha.
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This page contains Indic text. Without rendering support you may see irregular vowel positioning and a lack of conjuncts. The Gita Govinda (Sanskrit गीत गोविन्द) ("Song of the Cowherd") is a work composed in the
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Idakka is an hour-glass drum from Kerala, south India. They are very similar to the damaru which is found throughout India. Where the damaru is played by rattling knotted cords against the resonators, the idakka is played with a stick.
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Maaran or Marar is the name given to the temple musicians of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar in the state of Kerala, India whose primary duty was to provide the traditional temple Sopanam music.
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Ambalavasi is the name of a Kerala community (not to be confused with caste) composed of a number of Hindu castes such as Pushpakas (Unni, Nambeesan, etc.), Chakyar, Moothath, Ilayath, Kurukkal, Warriers, Marar, Nambiar etc.
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Thirumanthamkunnu Temple in Angadipuram is located about 1.5 km west of Perinthalmanna in the Malappuram district of Kerala state, south India. It was erected after the Angadipuram Temple.
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Guruvayur (also written Guruvayoor) is a small town in Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It lies 25 km to the north west of Thrissur City.
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Temple
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Neralattu Rama Poduval or Njaralathu Rama Poduval, was an exponent of the ashtapadi / sopanam art form practised in kerala. He hails from Thiruvaazhaamkunnu, near Kottopadam, situated 30 km from Perinthalmanna.
He was a recipient of the Kendra Sahitya Academy award.
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He was a recipient of the Kendra Sahitya Academy award.
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Krishnanattam or Krishnattam is a temple art in Kerala, India. It is a Kathakali-like dance drama and presents the story of Krishna in a series of eight plays. It survives in its glory at the Guruvayoor Srikrishna Temple. The performance is based on Krishna Geetha.
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Kathakali (IPA: [kat̪ʰakaɭi], Malayalam:�·ഥ�·ളി) is a form of Indian dance-drama. It originated in the Southern Indian state of Kerala during the 17th century.
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