Gamaka (storytelling)

Gamaka, also known as kaavya vaachana, is a form of storytelling by singing that originated in Karnataka, India. One person reads a stanza of a poem with highest emphasis on meaning, applying suitable raga or a dhaati (melodic line), usually matching the emotion of the poem; the song generally has no established rhythm. Another person then explains the meaning of the stanza with examples and anecdotes. Gamaka draws ragas from traditional Kannada folktunes and Carnatic music . The singing itself is called gamaka and the singer a gamaki. The explanation of the rendering is called vyakyana. The emphasis in kaavya vaachana is on literature (Saahithya) and not on music where singer splits compounds words in poems to make it easier to understand.

The poems are chosen mostly from old Kannada epics such as Karnataka Bharatha Kathamanjari, Jaimini Bharatha, Harischandra Kavya, Siddarameshwara charite, Ajita purana, Devi-Bhagavata, and Torave Ramayana and recently from that of Sri Ramayana Darshanam

Karnataka Gamaka Kala Parishat (Academy of Gamaka Art, Karnataka) based in Tyagarajanagar, Bangalore is an organisation that is formed to support and encourage the Gamaka Art form.Gamaka Kala Prishat conducts certification exams in Gamaka, with it syllabus consisting of poems picked from the above-mentioned epics. They also hold annual meet of all the gamakis across state to discuss the state and future of gamaka

There is a misconception that gamaka and harikathe are the same. Gamaka is different from gamak and gamakam, the words used in Indian classical music to refer to the styles of rendering a note (see ornaments (in music). Gamaka sometimes is mistaken for a form of music, but is instead a clear reading of complex poetry with complete emphasis on literature while its musicality is also important, but secondary.

There are many styles in gamaka. While Bangalore, Mysore and Matturu styles heavily use Karnataka Sangeetha, styles of Sagara and Theerthahalli region use more folk/traditional central Karnataka style of singing with emphasis on literature. There is some influence of Yakshagana style in singing.

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