What is keerthans in Carnatic music
Answers
Carnatic songs (kritis) are varied in structure and style, but generally consist of three units:
Pallavi. This is the equivalent of a refrain in Western music, with 1 or 2 lines.
Anupallavi. This is the second verse, also as 2 lines.
Charana. The final (and longest) verse that wraps up the song. The Charanam usually borrows patterns from the Anupallavi. There can be multiple charanas.
This kind of song is called a keerthanam or a kriti. There are other possible structures for a kriti, which may in addition include swara passages named chittaswara. A chittaswara consists only of notes, and has no words. Still others have a verse at the end of the charana, called the madhyamakāla. It is sung immediately after the charana, but at double speed.
Ragas in Carnatic music
The main traditional forms of improvisation in Carnatic music consist of the following:
Alapana.
Niraval.
Pallavi.
Ragam.
Swarakalpana.
Tanam.
Tani Avartanam.