Gamaka

गमक

Sanskritga · ma · ka

The oscillations and slides that ornament a note

MusicBharatanatyamKuchipudiMohiniyattamKathak

Meaning

Gamakas are the shakes, slides and turns given to a note or the movement between notes. In Carnatic music they are part of a raga's identity, not mere decoration.

Also written: gamakam, gamakas

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamaka_(music)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_Carnatic_music

Related words

RagaरागThe melodic framework a composition lives in.Swaraस्वरA musical note, named and sung.Mridangamमृदङ्गम्The double-headed drum that carries a Carnatic recital.TanpuraतानपूराThe long-necked drone instrument that holds the pitch Shrutiश्रुतिThe pitch — the tonic the whole ensemble tunes to VeenaवीणाThe fretted string instrument of Carnatic music, held by Saraswati

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