Carnatic Music in Malaysia

The Tamils originating from South India and Sri Lanka form the largest group among the Indian population in Malaysia, with Malayalee, Sikh, Sinhalese, Telegu, Bengali and Pakistani minority groups (Abdul Rahman Ismail 1994). It is not surprising therefore to find that South Indian Classical or Carnatic music predominates (Narayanan 1985) with Tamil being the preferred medium for songs, although students of Carnatic music in Malaysia do also learn songs in Telegu and Sanskrit. Lack of proficiency in the Tamil script has also meant that most Malaysian students of Indian classical music study English language transcriptions of the notes and words rather than the original scores (Narayanan 1985), with many others merely memorising pieces, thus reducing this music of the Great Tradition to the realm of folk music especially when faulty memory or sheer laziness produces inaccurate renditions. Much teaching material still comes from India with little being produced locally, though some effort is being made in this direction through renowned Malaysian teachers of classical Indian music such as S. Apeetha Narayanan and Kanagami Vijeyendra. The Temple of Fine Arts in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur is the main centre of learning in Malaysia for classical Indian music, though some teachers prefer to teach privately. The most popular areas of musical study include the vina, tabla, mrdanga, violin and voice. Students may enrol for formal lessons, obtain resource materials and attend performances by expert musicians, dancers and singers at this authoritative centre of Indian music. Students of Indian classical music in Malaysia are mainly of Indian ethnic origin, though some non-Indian Malaysians do also take up serious study of this music. The music itself remains largely true to its origins, absorbing very little if at all the music of the surrounding cultures. One of the primary reasons for this is the maintenance of strong links with experts from India who regularly come to conduct classes and performances in Malaysia.

The Temple of Fine Arts also has an orchestra which performs under the baton of Suresh Ramachandran, music director of the Temple of Fine Arts. Lavish and polished musical productions in the form of dance dramas incorporating instrumental ensemble music, vocal music, dance, acting and sophisticated stage lighting are held.

Carnatic Orchestra

The diagram above depicts the layout and instruments used in the orchestra of the Temple of Fine Arts. The violins used are ordinary western violins, but with a unique tuning . The Indian classical instruments used are imported from India - instruments are not made locally. The orchestra is made up of amateur, semi-professional and professional musicians, all of whom are Malaysians. The orchestra meets to rehearse daily after office hours during the period prior to a performance, but does not otherwise meet and rehearse regularly.

Further information on Carnatic Music (External Sites)
Carnatic Music Web Ring
South Indian Classical Music

Musical Instrument Index | MIDI Archive
Original Malaysian SoundFonts | SEARCH Musical Malaysia

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TYPES OF MUSIC IN MALAYSIA: Classical Music - Carnatic Music The Tamils originating from South India and Sri Lanka form the largest group among the Indian population in Malaysia, with Malayalee, Sikh, Sinhalese, Telegu, Bengali and Pakistani minority groups (Abdul Rahman Ismail 1994). It is not surprising therefore to find that South Indian Classical or Carnatic music predominates (Narayanan 1985) with Tamil being the preferred medium for songs, although students of Carnatic music in Malaysia do also learn songs in Telegu and Sanskrit. Lack of proficiency in the Tamil script has also meant that most Malaysian students of Indian classical music study English language transcriptions of the notes and words rather than the original scores (Narayanan 1985), with many others merely memorising pieces, thus reducing this music of the Great Tradition to the realm of folk music especially when faulty memory or sheer laziness produces inaccurate renditions. Much teaching material still comes from India with little being produced locally, though some effort is being made in this direction through renowned Malaysian teachers of classical Indian music such as S. Apeetha Narayanan and Kanagami Vijeyendra. The Temple of Fine Arts in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur is the main centre of learning in Malaysia for classical Indian music, though some teachers prefer to teach privately. The most popular areas of musical study include the vina, tabla, mrdanga, violin and voice. Students may enrol for formal lessons, obtain resource materials and attend performances by expert musicians, dancers and singers at this authoritative centre of Indian music. Students of Indian classical music in Malaysia are mainly of Indian ethnic origin, though some non-Indian Malaysians do also take up serious study of this music. The music itself remains largely true to its origins, absorbing very little if at all the music of the surrounding cultures. One of the primary reasons for this is the maintenance of strong links with experts from India who regularly come to conduct classes and performances in Malaysia. The Temple of Fine Arts also has an orchestra which performs under the baton of Suresh Ramachandran, music director of the Temple of Fine Arts. Lavish and polished musical productions in the form of dance dramas incorporating instrumental ensemble music, vocal music, dance, acting and sophisticated stage lighting are held. The diagram above depicts the layout and instruments used in the orchestra of the Temple of Fine Arts. The violins used are ordinary western violins, but with a unique tuning . The Indian classical instruments used are imported from India - instruments are not made locally. The orchestra is made up of amateur, semi-professional and professional musicians, all of whom are Malaysians. The orchestra meets to rehearse daily after office hours during the period prior to a performance, but does not otherwise meet and rehearse regularly. Further information on Carnatic Music (External Sites) Carnatic Music Web Ring South Indian Classical Music Musical Instrument Index \| MIDI Archive Original Malaysian SoundFonts \| SEARCH Musical Malaysia		Musical Context Music by Genre Music by Region Bibliography Author Credits SITE MAP Guestbook
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