Carnatic Vocal

The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gayaki (singing) style.

Although there are stylistic differences, the basic elements of sruti (the relative musical pitch), swara (the musical sound of a single note), raga (the mode or melodic formula), and tala (the rhythmic cycles) form the foundation of improvisation and composition in both Carnatic and Hindustani music. Although improvisation plays an important role, Carnatic music is mainly sung through compositions, especially the kriti or kirtana.

A form developed between the 14th and 20th centuries by the Trinity of Carnatic musician refer to the outstanding trio of composer musicians of Carnatic music being Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.