Gamaka (storytelling)

For Gamak (or Gamakam) as ornamentation in Indian classical music see here

Gamaka also known as Kaavya Vaachana is a unique form of storytelling by singing. This originated in Karnataka, India. One person reads a stanza of a poem with highest emphasis on meaning, applying suitable raga or a Dhaati (melodical line) usually matching the emotion of the poem. Another person then explains the meaning of the stanza with examples and anecdotes. Gamaka draws raagas from traditional Kannada folk Dhaati(tunes) 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. One of the noticeable thing in this art is that singing is not to a rhythm.

The poems are chosen mostly from old Kannada epics such as 'Karnataka Bharatha Kathamanjari', Jaimini Bharatha, Harischandra Kavya, dEvi bhAgavata, and Torave Ramayana.

Gamaka Academy

Karnataka Gamaka Kala Parishat (Academy of Gamaka Art, Karnataka) is an organisation that is formed to support and encourage the Gamaka Art form.

Misconceptions

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. Gamaka is clear reading of complex poetry with complete emphasis on literature while its musicality is also important, it is secondary.

Exponents

Gamaka Gandharva and Rajyothsva Prashasti puraskrutha Hosahalli H R Keshava Murthy is a living legend of Gamaka. Gamakakalanidhi Basavappa Shastri was one of the famous Gamaka singers. Among popular Gamakis are Rajyothsva Prashasti and Kanaka Purandara Prashasti puraskrutha Basavapatna Subbaraya Kaushik, Rajyothsva Prashasti puraskrutha Hosabale Seetharam Rao, Narahari Sharma Kerekoppa, Mattur Ramamurthy, Raghavendra Rao and Kam Su Venkatadri Sarma.

Styles

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.