varaama

Varaama, often transliterated as varāma or varnam, is a traditional repertoire piece in the Carnatic classical music tradition and in Bharatanatyam dance. It serves as a structured training piece used to develop voice, breath control, sruti alignment, and aural discipline while learning a new raga and tala. Teachers typically introduce varnams early in a student’s training.

In its musical form, varāma is composed in a single raga and is linked to a fixed tala. It is longer and more elaborate than many kritis and is organized into defined sections, commonly including pallavi (the refrain), anupallavi (the second section), and the charanam (one or more verses). The piece emphasizes a steady melodic ascent and includes patterned svara lines to consolidate the raga and rhythm, often progressing through several cycles of the tala.

In concert settings and pedagogy, varnams occupy a central place. In Carnatic performance, they are used in early practice and, in the case of Bharatanatyam, form the principal opening piece that showcases nritta technique and expressive abhinaya within a single rhythmic framework. The choice of raga and tempo can vary, and advanced students may work with swara passages and time-based elaborations within the varnams and related exercises.

Varaama’s role as a pedagogical and performance piece has made it a staple in traditional music training and classical dance, reflecting the emphasis on raga-tala mastery, memory, and disciplined execution.