Karnataka Music
/ˌkɑːr.nəˈtɑː.kə ˈmjuː.zɪk/noun
A South Indian classical music tradition centered historically in Karnataka and practiced widely across southern India.
Did you know?The tradition is more commonly called Carnatic music in English, a form derived through European usage from Sanskrit and Dravidian forms related to Karnataka.
Etymological Timeline
Early Sanskrit
Sanskrit
karṇāṭa
“An ancient regional name associated with the southern Deccan; its deeper internal meaning is disputed.”
Early Medieval Period
Kannada/Sanskrit
Karnāṭaka
“A historical name for the Karnataka region and related southern territory.”
17th Century
European English
Carnatic
“A European form of the regional name, used especially for southern India and later applied to its classical music.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
mousikē
“The art of the Muses, including music and related cultivated arts.”
Classical Latin
Latin
musica
“Music or the art of musical sound, borrowed from Greek.”
Modern English
English
music
“Organized vocal or instrumental sound, forming the second element of “Karnataka music.””