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Carnatic

American  
[kahr-nat-ik] / kɑrˈnæt ɪk /

noun

  1. a historically important region on the SE coast of India: now in Madras state.


Carnatic British  
/ kɑːˈnætɪk /

noun

  1. a region of S India, between the Eastern Ghats and the Coromandel Coast: originally the country of the Kanarese; historically important as a rich and powerful trading centre; now part of Tamil Nadu state

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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"Ilaiyaraaja's arrival was a watershed moment. It was an intervention by a person from an entirely different social and aesthetic background who had imbued a distinct aural soundscape," says TM Krishna, a celebrated Carnatic musician.

From BBC Jun. 6, 2026

A relentless experimenter, Ilaiyaraaja could blend Carnatic ragas, Indian folk melodies and the music of Schubert or Mozart into a single composition.

From BBC Jun. 6, 2026

An accomplished player in the world of Carnatic music, a style of South Indian classical, Rajagopalan was invited to join the revived ‘70s band featuring progressive jazz guitar great John McLaughlin. “

From Seattle Times Feb. 4, 2024

They put me through Carnatic singing lessons over the phone to help me better connect with my heritage and culture.

From Salon Aug. 7, 2023

Colonel Eyre Coote decisively defeated Count Lally at the battle of Wandewash and the next year Pondicherry was captured, putting an effectual end to French influence in the Carnatic.

From The Colonization of North America 1492-1783 by Bolton, Herbert Eugene

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