Book title: Ragas at a glance

Author: Prof. S R Janakiraman

Edited by: Kiranavali Vidyasankar

Published by: Shapre Carnatica

Theme: A look at 300 ragas of Carnatic music

About the book:

Ragas are vital to Carnatic music, the classical music system of South India. The goal of performers and composers is to explore the subtleties of the Ragas to their fullest extent. In this sense, Raga is an end in itself. 

The majority of Ragas in Carnatic music have survived the test of time. However, it cannot be ignored that while some Ragas have been short-lived, some others have faded into oblivion. Some have been resurrected by the composers of later periods of musical history. Many Ragas, having passed through different and indifferent renditions over the centuries, have acquired modified forms or even got completely mutilated. Some have undergone minor changes and others have produced controversies. 

In recent times, several musicians and musicologists have attempted to evolve a consensus over such problematic issues through periodically conducted music conferences across the globe. But it may humbly be stressed that only a Daniel should deliver judgement. 

The present volume takes into account the musical history of the lakshanas of 300 Ragas, while keeping in mind the contemporary form in which they are handled. It is hoped that it will serve as a beacon light to music students, musicologists, musicians and connoisseurs alike.

About the Author:

Prof. S R Janakiraman, currently the Principal of Music Academy's Teacher’s College of Music in Chennai, was born on July 12, 1928, in South India. He started learning Carnatic music in 1938, and received training under several great masters. The year 1945 was a landmark year in his career when he got the opportunity to learn from great doyens such as Tiger Varadachari, Budalur Krishnamurti Sastri, T K Ramasami Ayyangar and Kalpagam Swaminathan at Kalakshetra, and Musiri Subramanya Ayyar, Tiruppambaram Swaminatha Pillai, Mayavaram V V Krishna Ayyar and T Brinda at the Central College of Carnatic Music. Janakiraman’s excellence in the theoretical and practical aspects of music earned him the titles of Sangita Siromani and Sangita Vidwan.

He was initiated into musicology by Profs. P Sambamurti and Balakrishna Ayya. This was further strengthened under P K Rajagopala Ayyar. In addition to his gurus' immense knowledge and wisdom, Janakiraman also imbibed a style of presentation with powerful delivery, expression, and diction. His method of analysing original treatise and of evolving one’s own ideals and concepts soon placed him high in the annals of musicology in India.

Janakiraman has taught musicology at various levels, including advanced, graduate and post-graduate courses for over 30 years. He had a brilliant career as the Head of the Dept. of Musicology at Sri Venkateswara College of Music, Tirupati. After his stint at Tirupati, he was associated with The Music Academy, Madras in various capacities such as Research scholar and Advisory Member of the Experts Committee.

Not surprisingly, Janakiraman has annexed several titles in music, notably, Sangita Kala Acharya (The Music Academy), Sangita Kala Sagaram (Bhairavi Fine Arts Association of North America), Kalaimamani (Tamilnadu State Govt.), Sangita Kala Jyoti, Ganamruta Kala Ratna and Isai Kalai Chelvar. Recently, he was also the recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the Government of India.

He is the author of a two-volume book, “Sangita Sastra Saramu” in Telugu. During his tenure as a Research Scholar at The Music Academy, he authored three comprehensive volumes of the book “Raga Lakshanas” in Tamil and co-authored a book in English titled “Ragas of Saramrta”, which is a commentary on the Raga Chapter of King Tulaja's treatise, Sangita Saramrta. He has presented a 3-hour video documentary titled “Varna through the Ages” and an audio-visual dissertation on the 72 melakartas with reference to the 72 mela-ragamalika of Maha Vaidyanatha Ayyar under the auspices of Saraswati Vaggeyakara Trust, Madras in 1991 and 1995 respectively.

A performing musician with a strong academic background, Janakiraman has been recognised as a top-ranking artiste by the All India Radio and Doordarshan. His lecture-demonstrations are not only instructive but also inspiring, and have drawn august audiences from all over the world. His contributions to Carnatic music and musicology over the last fifty years have left a lasting impression.