Sopana Sangeetham in Kerala

Sopana Sangeetham is a unique musical style of Kerala, known as a continuation of Dravidian music. Njeralath Ramapothuval (Autobiography - Sopanam) is the founder of Sopana Music. Janahita Sopanam, a popular expression of Sopana music, was also invented by Njeralath Ramapothuval. Sopana music is based on raga. The ragas used in Sopana music are Indisha, Desakshi, Indalam, Padi, Bhupalam, Puraneer, and Kamodari. The rhythms are Ekam, Champa, Chempada, Atanta, Muriyadanta, and Tripuda. Sopana music originated in Kerala temples. The instrument used in Sopana music is the Edakka. There are two types of Sopana music, Kottipadi Seva and Ranga Sopanam. Sopanam is the step in front of the temple shrine. 'Kottipadi Seva' is the singing of Marar and Edakka Kotti from the temple's sopana during the puja. An important branch of sopana music is stage music. It can also be called acting music. The singer sings, the instrumentalist plays, and the actor plays the roles of various characters accordingly. This is stage music. Examples - Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Krishnanattam, Mudiyet, Arjuna dance. Sopana music is used in Kathakali. The reason why sopana music is called 'time music' is because the ragas are used according to the rules of the song. Puthussery Raghava Kurup (who gave a systematic form to sopana music), Njeralath Harigovindan, and Ambalappuzha Vijayakumar are the main sopana music artists.