Carnatic music development in Vijayanagara Empire

Published on 26 Oct 2025

During the Vijayanagara Empire, which spanned from the 14th to the 17th century in South India, Carnatic music experienced significant development and flourished as a prominent art form. 

The empire's rulers, who were great patrons of arts and culture, played a crucial role in fostering the growth of Carnatic music. Key aspects of the development of Carnatic music during the Vijayanagara Empire:

• Royal Patronage: King Krishnadevaraya, one of the most famous rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire, was a great patron of arts and music.

• Example: Purandara Dasa is considered the father of Carnatic Music.

• Music in Temples and Courts: Musicians performed devotional songs to praise the deities, enhancing the spiritual experience of the devotees. 

• Musical Pillars in Hampi (The 56 pillars located in the temple's Ranga Mandap)

• Establishment of Music Schools: The Vijayanagara rulers established music schools and institutions, known as "Gurukuls," to train and educate musicians. 

• Example: Under Krishnadevaraya's patronage, the musicologist Venkatamakhin compiled the "Chaturdandi Prakashika," an important treatise on music that codified the melakarta system of ragas. 

• Encouragement of Composers: Eminent composers like Tallapaka Annamacharya and Purandara Dasa lived during the Vijayanagara period. They composed numerous devotional songs (kritis) in praise of gods and goddesses. 

• Example: Annamacharya, known as the "Pada-kavita Pitaamaaha" (grandfather of song poetry), composed hundreds of keerthanas dedicated to Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati. 

• Refinement of Musical Concepts: The Vijayanagara period witnessed the refinement and codification of musical concepts in Carnatic music. 

• Example: During this time, the "sampoorna ragas" (melakarta ragas) were classified into 72 scales by Venkatamakhin in his "Chaturdandi Prakashika." 

• Integration with Bhakti Movement: The Bhakti movement, emphasizing devotion and spirituality, had a significant impact on Carnatic music during the Vijayanagara period.

• Example: Purandara Dasa's compositions, called "Purandaradasa Padas," were centered on devotional themes.

• Legacy and Dissemination: The tradition of Carnatic music continued to thrive and evolve beyond the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, spreading to various regions of South India.

• Influence on Architecture: Vijayanagara architecture features intricately carved musical instruments and dance poses in its temples and monuments. 

• Musical Pillars in Hampi (The 56 pillars located in the temple's Ranga Mandap)

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Carnatic music development in Vijayanagara Empire Carnatic music Vijayanagara Empire Purandara Dasa Krishnadevaraya KDR Musical Pillars in Hampi Ranga mandap Gurukuls Chaturdandi Prakashika Venkatamakhin Tallapaka Annamacharya Pada kavita Pitaamaaha kritis keerthanas sampoorna ragas Melakarta ragas Chaturdandi Prakashika Purandaradasa Padas

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Indian Heritage and Culture