Nottusvara: A Pedagogical Tool

Nottusvara are a novel compositional form in Carnatic classical music that emerged in the colonial period in south India, where vernacular lyrics were set to the popular Celtic/Baroque melodies. Muttuswami Diksitar is attributed for the creation of the genre of Nottusvara. The present study questions the very intent of the conception of these specific compositions by Diksitar, and explores beyond the conventional idea of him composing these pieces due to his exposure to the band music in Madras. Citing personal interviews, indepth archival findings and referencing existing literature, the author provides corroborative evidence to suggest that the objective behind the creation of Nottusvara perhaps was to aid his brother Baluswami Diksitar, the basics of playing the violin. Once the basics were learnt, the brother could replicate complex Carnatic compositions on the violin. This article explores the possibility that Nottusvara compositions were a pedagogical tool used for the facilitation of the violin in the Carnatic music milieu.