dayyasti

Dayyasti is a musical term used in traditional Indian music, particularly in the genres of Carnatic and Hindustani. It refers to a musical ornamentation or a melodic embellishment that involves stretching or elongating a note. The term "dayyasti" is derived from the Sanskrit words "dya" meaning "stretch" and "asti" meaning "is".

In music, dayyasti is used to add expressiveness and emotion to a melody. It involves stretching the duration of a note, often by a fraction of a beat, creating a subtle sense of tension and release. This ornamentation technique is often used to convey a range of emotions, from subtle sadness to deep longing.

In Carnatic music, dayyasti is commonly used in the keertanas, a style of devotional song. In Hindustani music, it is often used in the khayal, a style of classical music. The technique requires a great deal of control and precision on the part of the musician, as the subtle variations in pitch and duration can greatly affect the overall mood and feeling of the music.

Dayyasti is considered a advanced musical technique and requires a good understanding of the melody, rhythm, and structure of the music. It is often used by experienced musicians and is an important part of the traditional Indian music repertoire. Despite its technical nature, dayyasti is an essential element of Indian classical music, adding depth and nuance to the melodies and rendering them more expressive and emotive.