The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c9.18

c9.18

The various styles of Indian compositions, consisting as they do entirely of melody, do not present to the casual observer differences as clearly marked as in those of European music. Nevertheless these melodies are classified systematically, and in their construction are subject to certain definite rules of composition. Almost all consist of a burden or refrain called Pallevi, a kind of answer to this refrain styled Anupallevi, and stanzas (called Charanam) of which there is usually an uneven number. These parts are in the several compositions arranged in different ways, and by this means the style of composition is determined. Rhythm is usually very marked, but differs largely from that of most European music from the fact that the times are frequently irregular.