Nottuswara

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The nottuswara (nōṭṭusvaras, from "note" + "swaras") are a set of 33 compositions (as documented in the book prathama abhyasa pustakamu authored by Sri Subbarama Dikshitar) in Carnatic music by Muthuswami Dikshitar (18th c.), who is celebrated as one among the Trinity of Carnatic music. A few other nottusvaras were added later by his disciples which adhere to the original idea and intent. Nottusvaras are notable as an interaction between the East and the West during the East India company rule, being based on Western sources, mostly simple melodies inspired by Scottish and Irish tunes.^[1] They are all composed with Sanskrit lyrics in the Western C major scale, whose pitch intervals correspond to that of the Shankarabharana raga scale in Carnatic music, or the Bilaval that of Hindustani music. Technically, the compositions are not in Shankarabharana proper, being based on simple melodies and devoid of the ornamentation (gamaka) that is characteristic of Carnatic music.^[2] On the other hand, the lyrics (sahitya) of these compositions are entirely Indian and consistent with the rest of the stotra-literature, or other songs addressed to similar deities.^[1]

Sometimes the name "nottuswara" is used to refer to other compositions based on Western notes, not necessarily by Muthuswami Dikshitar.^[3]

Violin[]

According to one popular account,^[4] the violin was introduced into Carnatic music by Baluswami Dikshitar (1786–1858), the younger brother of Muthuswami Dikshitar. He encountered the instrument being played by British bands in colonial Madras, and decided to learn it. The music was mostly Irish and Scottish fiddling, rather than Western classical music. After three years of lessons, he adapted the violin to Carnatic music. It is believed that Muthuswami Dikshitar composed these lyrics to aid his brother master the plain notes on the violin.^[5]

Publication history[]

They were first documented in print by C. P. Brown in 1833. In 1893, Manali Chinnaswamy Mudaliar published them with European notation, and in 1905, they were compiled by Subbarama Dikshitar as 'Prathamaabhyaasa pustakamu' in Telugu. In recent years, Kanniks Kannikeswaran has researched these compositions further, found the sources of a few compositions, and given several lectures.^[1][6]

Examples[]

The European songs used as basis include "Limerick", "Castilian Maid", "Lord MacDonald's Reel", "Voulez-vous Danser?", and "God Save the Queen".^[7]

List of Nottuswarams by Muthuswamy Dikshithar[]

1. Anjaneyam sadaa http://www.karnatik.com/c3326.shtml
2. Chintayeham sada http://www.karnatik.com/c3328.shtml
3. Dasharathe dinadayanidhe http://www.karnatik.com/c3145.shtml
4. Dinabandho dayasindho http://www.karnatik.com/c3330.shtml
5. Guruguha padapankaja http://www.karnatik.com/c3332.shtml
6. Guruguha sarasijakarapada http://www.karnatik.com/c3333.shtml
7. He maye maam http://www.karnatik.com/c3334.shtml
8. Jagadisha guruguha http://www.karnatik.com/c3335.shtml
9. Kamalasana vandita http://www.karnatik.com/c3336.shtml
10. Kanchisham ekamranayakam http://www.karnatik.com/c3337.shtml
11. Maye chitkale http://www.karnatik.com/c3338.shtml
12. Muchukundavarada tyagaraja http://www.karnatik.com/c3339.shtml
13. Pahi durge http://www.karnatik.com/c3340.shtml
14. Pahi mam janaki vallabha http://www.karnatik.com/c3341.shtml
15. Pankajamukha shankarahitha http://www.karnatik.com/c3342.shtml
16. Paradevate bhava http://www.karnatik.com/c3343.shtml
17. Parvati Pate http://www.karnatik.com/c3344.shtml
18. Pitavarnam bhaje http://www.karnatik.com/c3345.shtml
19. Ramachandram rajivaksham http://www.karnatik.com/c3348.shtml
20. Ramajanardana http://www.karnatik.com/c3347.shtml
21. Shakthisahitha ganapathim http://www.karnatik.com/c3354.shtml
22. Shyamale Meenakshi http://www.karnatik.com/c3357.shtml
23. Sadashiva jaye http://www.karnatik.com/c3349.shtml
24. Sakala Suravinuta http://www.karnatik.com/c3350.shtml
25. Samagana Priye http://www.karnatik.com/c2642.shtml
26. Santana Saubhagya http://www.karnatik.com/c3352.shtml
27. Santatam Pahi Mam http://www.karnatik.com/c1826.shtml
28. Shankaravara http://www.karnatik.com/c3355.shtml
29. Somaskandam http://www.karnatik.com/c3358.shtml
30. Varashivabalam http://www.karnatik.com/c3363.shtml
31. Varadaraja http://www.karnatik.com/c3362.shtml
32. Vagdevi Mamava http://www.karnatik.com/c3360.shtml
33. Vande meenakshi http://www.karnatik.com/c3361.shtml

Notes[]

References[]

• M R Shankaramurthy (1990), The European Airs of Muthuswamy Dikshitar, Bangalore: Guruguha Gana Nilaya
• Weidman, Amanda (2009), "Listening to the violin in South Indian classical music", in Richard K. Wolf (ed.), Theorizing the local: music, practice, and experience in South Asia and beyond, Oxford University Press US, pp. 49–64, ISBN 978-0-19-533138-7
• Amanda J. Weidman (2006), Singing the classical, voicing the modern: the postcolonial politics of music in South India, Duke University Press, p. 32, ISBN 978-0-8223-3620-4

External links[]

• Muthuswamy Dikshitar - nottu svara sahityas: The (Sanskrit) lyrics of all compositions
• Dikshitar and western music
• Vismaya – An Indo Celtic Musical Journey, recordings of the Sanskrit lyrics with Western music
• British Raj and Indian Classical Music: other examples of interaction