Varnas - Page 3

Written by Smt.Harini Raghavan

TYPES AND STRUCTURE OF VARNAS:
The two major types in Varnas are – Pada Varnas and Taana Varnas.  There is a minor difference between the 2 varieties.  Pada Varnas usually have ‘sringara’ as the theme.They are composed mainly for dance.  They are artistically constructed and beautifully designed.  They are composed in rare taalas, in ‘anagata graha’ (where composition begins after the taala), and ‘eduppus’ at different places and are in ‘vilamba kala’ ( slow tempo) in order to give scope for depiction of ‘Bhava’.  More importance is paid to the ‘sahitya’ (lyrics) here. The lyrics consist of conversation between ‘Nayaka and Nayika” (hero – heroine), both in unison and separation (sambhoga and vipralamba sringara).Some of them have devotional theme, and some, in praise of their patrons also. The words are rhythmic and metrical.  Swara, sahitya and solkattus are also seen in these compositions.  Generally Pada varnas are also called ‘Chowka Varnas’ and if they are with ‘Jatis’, they are called ‘Pada Jati Varnas’.

Taana Varnas  were in existence earlier than Pada Varnas.  There were no Pada Varnas earlier and all Varnas were calledTtaana Varnas.

Taana Varnas are those which are sung or played at the commencement of a concert, according to the tradition.  Taana varnas consist of Pallavi, Anupallavi and Muktayi swara which form the ‘Poorvanga’ or the first part and ‘Charana’ followed by 3,4,or 6 ‘Ettugade swaras’ (swara passages) which from the ‘Uttaranga’ or the latter half of the composition.  The Pallavi, Anupallavi and Charana will have sahitya, with profused vowel extension.  Taana Varnas are in medium speed (madyama kala), usually starting at ‘sama eduppu’. They adhere to a specific metre and are full of raga sancharas, and bring out the nuances of that particular raga.  The Taana Varnas are mostly set to ‘adi tala’, but there are also Varnas in other taalas like ata, rupaka, chapu, jhampe, khanda triputa, etc. Lyrics are of lesser importance here.  Only a minimum of lyrics with lot of elongated syllables (Akaara,Ikaara, Ukaara, etc.) are found in the sahitya portion.  The style of the Varna follows the taana pattern and is full of taana jatis . Hence the name, ‘Taana Varna’.  Some earlier Varnas had a special feature called ‘Anubhanda’, which was composed with the idea of completing the meaning implied in the charana portion.