Glossary · glossary · 1 min read
Charanam
चरणम्; the concluding section
Charanam is the concluding section of a Carnatic (South Indian classical) composition, usually the longest, with new words and a fresh melody. In South Indian film songs, each verse is called a charanam.
By SJN, Founder, BeatRootRaga · Reviewed by BRR · Last reviewed 27 Sept 2026
What does charanam mean?
The charanam is the concluding section of a Carnatic (South Indian classical) composition. It is usually the longest section, carrying new lines of text and a fresh melodic idea. You may also see the word spelled saranam.
The pallavi is the opening section that returns as a refrain. The charanam develops something new before leading back to it. In a kriti, the main composed song form of Carnatic music, there may be more than one charanam.
Listen for the new words and melody; the charanam often begins lower. This is a short definition. For the full explanation, read BeatRootRaga’s Charanam meaning: what a charanam is and how it differs from the pallavi.
Charanam example and where to read more
In a Tamil or Malayalam film song, the verse between two returns of the hook, the part that comes back, is a charanam. Each verse in a South Indian film song is called a charanam. The word is also spelled saranam.
For the full explanation, follow the BeatRootRaga charanam teaching page. It explains how the charanam brings new words and melody, and how it differs from the pallavi, the opening section that returns as a refrain.
Keep going
- Charanam meaning: what a charanam is and how it differs from the pallavi · A charanam is the concluding section of a composed song in Carnatic (South Indian classical) music, usually bringing new words and a fresh melody. The pallavi is the opening section that returns as a refrain, while the charanam develops something new before leading back to it.
- Pallavi, anupallavi and charanam: the three parts of a Carnatic song · In a typical kriti, the main composed song form of Carnatic (South Indian classical) music, the pallavi is the opening section that returns. The anupallavi is the second section, developing the opening, while the charanam is the concluding section and usually the longest.