pallavi

Pallavi is a feminine given name used in India and among Indian communities worldwide. In Sanskrit and related Indian languages such as Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, and Hindi, the name is associated with growth and renewal, often linked to the idea of a new leaf or shoot. As a personal name, Pallavi is common across various regions and religious communities in India and the diaspora.

In Indian classical music, Pallavi is a technical term in Carnatic music. It denotes the thematic line or refrain of a kriti, a structured musical composition. The pallavi presents the central idea of the piece and is typically sung at the start and then repeated with melodic and rhythmic variations throughout the performance. A typical kriti also includes anupallavi, which provides a contrasting phrase, and caranam, which comprises the concluding verses. Musicians may elaborate on the pallavi with svarams (melodic improvisations) during improvisational passages.

Notable people with the name Pallavi include Pallavi Sharda, an Indian-Australian actress known for roles in film and television; Pallavi Joshi, an Indian actress; and Pallavi Aiyar, a journalist and author. The name appears across different professions and is used in various Indian languages, reflecting both cultural heritage and contemporary naming practices.