The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c8.36

c8.36

To convey in writing an adequate idea of what an alâpa consists is somewhat difficult; it is not exactly a song, the music not being set to any particular words; neither is it an air, for it is not confined in its rhythm. An alâpa may be said to be rather a kind of rhapsody, which abounds with grace and embellishments of all kinds, and is formed by an extension, according to the murchana, of the notes of the râga, in such a way that all the characteristics of that râga are prominently shown, and scope is given to the performer's power of improvising.