Carnatic

Carnatic music is a form of classical music from South India. It is based on a system of ragas (melodic scales) and talas (rhythmic cycles). It is one of the oldest forms of music in the world, and is still widely performed today. Carnatic music is usually performed by a small ensemble of musicians, including a vocalist, a violinist, a mridangam (a two-headed drum), and a tambura (a drone instrument). The vocalist is usually the leader of the ensemble, and is responsible for setting the tempo and the mood of the performance. The music is often improvisational, and the musicians often interact with each other during the performance.