Korvais Made Easy
The primary objective of this book is to enable Carnatic musicians and percussionists to easily compose Korvais in various Nadais (Tempo) according to the Thalam and Edam of the song. A Korvai is a composition consisting of two components Purvangam and Uttarangam, and is usually played thrice. The first Korvai has to begin at Samam (the beginning of the Thalam cycle) and the third Korvai has to end at the Edam or Eduppu of the song. By using this book, the performer has to simply look up the tables in this book to find the Alavu (measurement) of the Korvai to be played, and then compose a Korvai for that Alavu and present it.
Some of the features of the book
- A large set of Nadai combinations
- Simple usage
- Usable by both percussion and main artists in Carnatic music
- Detailed examples on using the book
- Explanation in both English and Tamil
Some Korvais composed using the book
- A Korvai of Alavu 120 Maathirai (letters) in Nadais Chatursram (4 letters per count), Trishra Mel Kaalam (6 letters per count), Chatursra Mel Kaalam (8 letters per count). In Aadhi Thaalam (2 Kalai) this ends at an Edam of 1 count after Samam. Konnakkol by Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani.
- Rendition of "Siddhi Vinayakam", Raagam Shanmukhapriya, Thaalam Rupakam. Master M. Balamuralikrishna presents a Korvai twice in Khanda Nadai (5 letters per count) and once in Chatursra Nadai (4 letters per count). The Edam is "Prasiddha Gananayakam".
- Korvai in Nadais Misram (7 letters per count), Khandam (5 letters per count), and Chatursram (4 letters per count), played on the Mridangam, for the above song.
- "Nannu Palimpaga", Raagam Mohanam, Thaalam Aadhi. A Korvai presented twice in Trishram (3 letters per count) and once in Chatursra Nadai (4 letters per count). The Edam is the same as the Pallavi.
- Korvai in Nadais Sankeernam (9 letters per count), Trishra Mel Kaalam (6 letters per count) and Trishra Nadai (3 letters per count), played on the Mridangam, for the above song.
- Kalpanaswaram and Korvai for the song "Sri Krishnam Bhaja" in Raagam Thodi, set to Aadhi Thaalam. The performers are Master M. Balamuralikrishna, Nagai Shri. Sriram on the Violin, Trivandrum Shri. Balaji on the Mridangam. Korvais are presented twice in Trishra Nadai (3 letters per count) and once in Chatursra Nadai (4 letters per count). The Edam is "Sankha Chakra Gadha". We are not able to allow streaming of this file because of some problem with MP3 sampling-rates. If you think you know what might be the problem, please let us know. Thank you.
Getting our book "Korvais Made Easy"
You can contact The Karnatic Music Book Centre, Chennai, to obtain a copy of our book. You can also write to us to get a copy, know about the book, or to share some information about Korvais.