This style of music employs a method of improvisation that translates to "music of imagination." A composer in this style known for songs called the “five gems” was a member of this style’s “Trinity,” who introduced new melodic structures featuring instruments like the morsing. Performers in this style showcase broad talents during songs called RTPs. There are 35 theoretical possibilities of a rhythmic system in this style of music that consists of a series of downward (*) claps called strokes. The solfege system sa-re-ga-ma is used in this style of music, as is the rhythmic concept of tala. Like a northern counterpart, this system employs a tambura to act as a drone and uses melodic modes for improvisation called ragas. For 10 points, name this style of music from South India, contrasted with Hindustani music. ■END■
ANSWER: Carnatic music [or Karnāṭaka saṃgīta; or Karnāṭaka saṅgītam]
<Noah Sheidlower, Other Fine Arts>
= Average correct buzz position