Allied ragas in Karnataka music

The concept of allied ragas in Karnataka music refers to pairs or groups of ragas that share close melodic frameworks yet retain distinct identities. This session examines how subtle variations in key phrases (prayogas), ornamentation (gamakas), and notes (svaras) define these differences. Combining theoretical discussion with practical demonstration, it aims to deepen understanding of raga structure, identity, and nuance within this South Indian music tradition.

Biography

Dr. Brindha Manickavasakan is a Carnatic vocalist and research scholar based in Chennai, India. She is among the foremost, popular, performing Carnatic musicians in the country. She is a prominent disciple of Vidushi Suguna Varadachari and steadfastly bears the torch of the Musiri Bani. 

She has been performing for the past 25 years, and is an ‘A’ grade artist of All India Radio, Chennai. Known for her rich voice, sensitivity, and manodharma, her music is fresh and impactful. She is a constant feature in all the major sabha-s in Chennai, and performs regularly in other venues, both within the country and abroad. She has also been trained in the Veena and Thirumurai isai and has collaborated with established artists in varied fields such as Villupaatu and Brittany French Harp music.

A recipient of the prestigious “Vani Kala Nipuna” award from Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, “Isai Arasi” title from Trinity Arts Festival of India, Professor Mahalingam Padmanabhan Endowment Award from Narada Gana Sabha, V Subrahmaniam Young Talent Award from Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Golden Jubilee Foundation, the title “Ilam Rasika Kala Bharathi” from Rasika Fine Arts, ‘Papanasam Sivan Award’ from Narada Gana Sabha, ‘Best Vocalist’ award of the Rising Stars series and M S Subbulakshmi fellowship award from Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai, she has won many prizes, awards and accolades from various organizations. She toured Europe in the spring of 2023, performing Carnatic music concerts and workshops which were all well acclaimed. She collaborated with French Harpist Lina Bellard in a uniqe amalgamation of Carnatic music and Brittany French music as part of the Bonjour India tour in 2022. She has released several music albums, such as ‘Tyagaraja Vandanam’ for Giri Trading. Brindha is an ‘A’ graded vocal artist of All India Radio. She has a Masters degree in Biostatistics from Georgetown University, USA, a Masters and Doctorate degree in Music from Madras University with a thesis on the contribution of Tañjāvūr K Poṉṉayyā Piḷḷai. She is a constant feature in all sabha-s in Chennai, and performs regularly in other venues within the country and abroad.