Lesson 3

d06133 Grammar Texts on Music

    Tamil music is based on a highly developed and
complex theoretical system. Numerous texts and
treatises have been written from time immemorial on
the grammar of music.Through these and other literary
texts that contain commentaries on music, we come to
know of the various aspects of Tamil music, its
techniques and fine points. This lesson talks about
some of these important texts.

    Adiyaarkku Nallar, who wrote a commentary on ‘Silappathigaaram’, cites 5 important works on the
grammar of music. They are: ‘Isai Nunukkam’, ‘Indra
Kaaleeyam’, ‘Panchamarabu’, ‘Barata Senaapathiam’and
‘Mathivaanar Nadaga Tamil Nool’. Of these, only
‘Panchamarabu’ and ‘Barata Senaapathiam’ are
available today. ‘Koothanool’ by Saathanaar is also an
important text on music that is still extant.

    ‘Panchamarabu’ is an extensive treatise on music
and dance. As the text deals with the tradition of isai,
muzhavu, thalam, koothu and abinayam - the 5 key
aspects of music and dance- it is called‘Panchamarabu’,
‘Pancha’ meaning ‘5’and ‘marabu’ meaning ‘tradition’.The
first section of this text called ‘Isai’ is a detailed
exposition of the grammar of music. The 5 chapters in
this section are “Yaazh Marabu”, “Vangiya Marabu”,
“Kanda Marabu”, “Nritha Marabu” and “Vagaiyozhi
Marabu”.The chapter on “Yaazh Marabu” describes the
Yaazh, an ancient stringed instrument unique to the
Tamils.It speaks of how the Tamils classified their land
into 5 distinct landscapes each of which was
associatedwith a specific flora, fauna, topography,deity
and emotion. They also assigned a specific Yaazh to
each landscape. The chapter on “Vangiya Marabu” expounds the techniques of rendering the vangiyam or
kuzhal which is nothing but the flute.“Vangiya Marabu”
deals with the nuances of vocal music. ‘Panchamarabu’
also contains information on as many as 103 pans.

    Literary texts have also played an important role
in outlining the grammar of music. Chief among these
is the ancient epic ‘Silapathigaaram’. The “Arangettru
Kaathai” of this epic contains valuable information on
the skills that the exponents of yaazh, muzhavu and
kuzhal must possess.Adiyarkku Nallar’s commentary on
‘Silapathigaaram’ has contributed much to the
understanding of ancient Tamil music. Other literary
works such as “Perungathai”, “Seevaga Sinthamani”,
bakthi literature like “Periya Puraanam” “Thiruppugazh”
and “Thevaram” also offer insights into the great
tradition of Tamil music.