The single ‘Vizhi’ by young Carnatic musicians Lakshmi V and Vishnudev KS is about harmony in nature and art
Lakshmi and Vishnudeva say that one of the aims of this composition is to expand the scope of Carnatic and other ethnic styles of music.
A difficult quest that Carnatic musicians often make is to achieve Western style harmony. Although there have been many attempts, very few have been successful because internally Carnatic music is not as easily adapted to the idea of harmony as we understand it in Western music. It is not just the Gamaka that stands in the way, but also the aesthetics, the qualities of the material and the style. At best, it would end up as a good-sounding fusion song, and at worst, a hoarseness of sounds trying to find a common ground.
Renowned Carnatic musicians Lakshmi V and Vishnudev KS have come up with a single, ‘Vizhi’ which is all about harmony. It is a two-part harmony with no traditional main melody or counter melody. Simply put, the closest example would be a western song, in which the lead singer is harmonized by a backup vocalist. What is even more interesting is that the harmony in ‘Vizhi’ is not only about the music, but also about the ‘divine, nature and self’. “It prompts a person to look beyond differences and find the oneness that connects everything,” say Lakshmi and Vishnudeva.
While it may sound simple, the tricky part is writing the two-part harmony and executing it, without compromising on the gamakas and distinctive flavor of Carnatic music. “Equal importance is given to both melody-leads. The idea is to harmonize symmetrical phrases/melodies within the scale of Carnatic music so that when sung together, these phrases blend seamlessly and the listening effect is mixed. The phrases are chosen in such a way that every nuance including the measure of the oscillations (gamakas) of each note is the same. This is also done keeping in mind the aesthetics of the raga/scale,” explains the couple.
Lakshmi and Vishnudeva state that one of the aims of this composition is to expand the scope of Carnatic and other ethnic styles of music, and to explore formats other than live or recorded performances. The technique of harmonizing full-length compositions also helps male and female duet singers overcome their vocal-range differences.
arresting scene
Apart from the two-part harmonies involving male and female vocals, what sets the composition apart is the visuals and catchy arrangements that accompany the music. While the visuals created by director Goutam Surya and actor/model Punya Elizabeth Bose try to explore the music’s closeness with nature and its elements, the arrangement brings a clear general variety without diluting the essential quality of Carnatic music. Mridangam by Sumesh Narayanan sets the rhythm in a crisp and flamboyant manner. “The video intends to visualize the connection between us and nature, illustrating the idea that we all have the essence of the universe in our existence.”
Cinematography by Shyamprakash MS, choreography by Deepak Murali, editing by Malavika VN, and colors from Studio D-Cloud Creations add to the eye-catching charm of Vizzy. It was released through Bodhi Silent Scape’s YouTube channel on World Music Day, and has become one of the top Carnatic-based compositions in recent times.
The author is a Travancore-based journalist-turned-United Nations official-turned-columnist.