Sopana Sangeetham () is a form of Indian classical music that developed in the temples of Kerala in south India as a classical style based on the singing of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda or Ashtapadis.
Etymology
The name derives from two Malayalam or Sanskrit words: Sopanam and Sangeetham. Sopanam refers to the sacred steps leading to the inner shrine (sanctum sanctorum) of a temple, and Sangeetham refers to music. Because the singer beats the edakka himself while singing, the practice is also known as Kottipadi Seva (kotti – to beat, padi – to sing, seva – offering). Sopanam is traditionally sung by men of the Maarar and Pothuval castes of the Ambalavasi (semi-Brahmin) community, who performed it as a hereditary profession.
Notable exponents
Past exponents include the late Njeralattu Rama Poduval of the Thirumandhamkunnu bani (school), Janardhanan Nedungadi of Guruvayoor, Jyothidas Guruvayoordasan, Damodara Marar of Pazhoor (a practitioner of the temple art Mudiyettu), and the master percussionist Sadanam Divakara Marar.
See also
- Culture of Kerala
- Ambalavasi
- Music of Kerala