Karttikeya (Study No. 1) for solo piano by Jason Thorpe Buchanan was written in December of 2008, and is the first in a
series of character pieces for solo piano based on Hindu deities. This work utilizes the Indian desi-tala system of rhythmic
cycles to generate rhythmic material. Each of the 120 ancient talas have specific cultural, spiritual and emotional associations and are used for specific events and situations. Karttikeya is evoked through talas chosen for having characteristics closely associated with his character. Karttikeya is a Hindu god of war and the eldest son of Shiva and Parvati. He is usually depicted with six faces and twelve arms, born to defeat the asura (demon) Taraka and restore order to the universe. In addition to talas chosen with characteristics to evoke the image of Karttikeya, there are several structural elements that specifically use the number twelve. This work utilizes the 12-tone system, with a total of 12 permutations of the row. After writing the initial sketch with 12 recurring motivic gestures, they were graphed into 12 regions. The sketch was then revised so that without departing from relatively strict serialism, the entrances of these 12 recurring gestures occur symmetrically throughout the work.
