Konnakol: The Art of Vocal Percussion in South Indian Carnatic Music
Konnakol is the art of performing percussion syllables vocally in South Indian Carnatic music. It is the spoken component of solkattu, which is a combination of konnakol syllables spoken while simultaneously counting the tala (meter) with the hand. It is comparable to bol in Hindustani music, but allows the composition, performance, or communication of rhythms. Konnakol has developed over the centuries as part of the South Indian Carnatic music genre, with many influential artists to its name. The Carnatic structure is complex and takes years of practice, yet free improvisation using the technique of Konokol is what makes this music genre stand out.
Konnakol uses rhythmic solfege for different subdivisions of the beat called "Solkattu." Common ones are:
2 subdivisions (Chatusra 1/2 Speed): Tha Ka
3 subdivisions (Tisra): Tha Ki Ta
4 subdivisions (Chatusra): Tha Ka Dhi Mi
5 subdivisions (Khanda): Tha Dhi Gi Na Thom
6 subdivisions (Tisra Double Speed): Tha Ka Dhi Mi Tha Ka
7 subdivisions (Misra): Tha Ka Di Mi Tha Ki Ta
8 subdivisions (Chatusra Double Speed): Tha Ka Dhi Mi Tha Ka Jho Nu
9 subdivisions (Sankirna): Tha Ka Dhi Mi Ta Dhi Gi Na Thom
10 subdivisions (Khanda Double Speed): Tha Ka Tha Ki Ta Tha Dhi Gi Na Thom, or Tha Ki Ta Dhim†2 Tha Dhi Gi Na Thom
†'2' suffix signifies solfege syllable is held twice as long.
The Indian music system was initially a single system of music until the 13th century. Since then, it split into two similar but distinct systems: the Hindustani music of North India and the Carnatic system of the South. The major distinction between the two is the authoritative use of Konokol, the art of producing percussion music through one’s vocal cords. Purandara Dasa is considered the principal founder of the Carnatic system as we know it today. Venkatamakhi, in the 17th century, formulated the system of the 72 melakartha ragas in his two pivotal treaties on music, the Chaturdandi Prakasika and Raga Lakshana.
The truly golden age of Carnatic music began in the 18th century, mainly due to the contributions of Thyagaraja and his contemporaries Muthuswamy Dikshithar, Syama Sastri, and Swati Thirunal. Since then, the Carnatic music world has seen a series of composers, the most outstanding amongst them being Papanasam Sivan, whose compositions in Tamil have added considerably to the scope and range of Carnatic music.
Music has a foundational place in Hindu mythology and Indian culture. It has played a role in the worship of deities and saints, and even in a non-religious context, such as yoga, meditation, and spiritual self-transformation. And for anyone who is interested in Indian culture, playing mantras will evoke a deep resonance in your heart.
