Salient Aspects of Indian Classical Music

06-04-2023

Salient Aspects of Indian Classical Music

Indian classical music is the classical music of the Indian subcontinent. It is generally described using terms like Marg Sangeet and Shastriya Sangeet.
It has two major traditions: the North Indian classical music known as Hindustani and the South Indian expression known as Carnatic. These traditions were not distinct until about the 15th century. During the period of Mughal rule of the Indian subcontinent, the traditions separated and evolved into distinct forms.

History

The root of music in ancient India are found in the Vedic literature of Hinduism. The earliest Indian thought combined three arts, syllabic recital (vadya), melos (gita) and dance (nrtta)
Some of the ancient texts of Hinduism such as the Samaveda (c. 1000 BCE) are structured entirely to melodic themes, it is sections of Rigveda set to music.
The classic Sanskrit text Natya Shastra is at the foundation of the numerous classical music and dance traditions of India.
The early 13th century Sanskrit text Sangitaratnakara (literally, "Ocean of Music and Dance"), by Sarngadeva patronized by King Sighana of the Yadava dynasty in Maharashtra, mentions and discusses ragas and talas.

Indian Carnatic music

Spatial influence: Carnatic music is one of the two major genres of Indian classical music, the other being Hindustani music. It originated in the southern part of India, primarily in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Carnatic music has a rich and diverse history that has been shaped by various cultural and social factors.
The origins of Carnatic music: can be traced back to the ancient scriptures of India, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads. The music evolved over time through the contributions of various composers, scholars, and musicians. The earliest known composer of Carnatic music is Purandara Dasa, who lived in the 15th-16th century.
Carnatic music is characterized by its use of ragas and talas. Ragas are melodic structures that define the mood and emotion of the music. There are over 200 ragas in Carnatic music, each with its unique structure and set of rules. Talas are rhythmic cycles that define the tempo and rhythm of the music. There are over 100 talas in Carnatic music, each with its unique structure and character.
Instruments used: Carnatic music is performed using a variety of instruments, such as the veena, violin, mridangam, ghatam, and kanjira. The veena is a stringed instrument that is similar to a guitar, while the mridangam is a double-headed drum that is used to create the rhythm and beat of the music. The ghatam and kanjira are percussion instruments that are used to create a variety of sounds and textures.
One of the unique features of Carnatic music is its emphasis on improvisation. Improvisation is an essential part of Carnatic music, and it allows the musicians to create new melodies and variations within the framework of the raga and tala. The musicians improvise by using a variety of techniques, such as alapana, neraval, and swara kalpana.
Alapana is the opening section of the performance, where the musician explores the raga in a slow and meditative manner. Neraval is the second section, where the musician sings a particular line or phrase of the composition and elaborates on it using different variations. Swara kalpana is the third section, where the musician uses fast and intricate patterns of notes to create a sense of excitement and energy in the music.
Carnatic music has a rich and diverse repertoire of compositions that have been passed down through generations of musicians. The compositions are primarily in Telugu, Tamil, Sanskrit, and Kannada, and they cover a wide range of topics such as devotion, love, nature, and mythology. Some of the famous composers of Carnatic music include Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri.
Carnatic music has played a significant role in the cultural and social life of southern India. It has been performed in various settings, such as temples, courts, and concerts. The music has also been a medium for social and political expression, and it has been used to promote social harmony and national integration.

Indian Hindustani Music

Hindustani music originated in northern India, primarily in the regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, and has a rich and diverse history that has been shaped by various cultural and social factors.
The origins of Hindustani music can be traced back to the ancient scriptures of India, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads. The music evolved over time through the contributions of various composers, scholars, and musicians. One of the earliest known composers of Hindustani music is Amir Khusro, who lived in the 13th century and is credited with creating the qawwali style of music.
Hindustani music is characterized by its use of ragas and talas. Ragas are melodic structures that define the mood and emotion of the music. There are over 500 ragas in Hindustani music, each with its unique structure and set of rules. Talas are rhythmic cycles that define the tempo and rhythm of the music. There are over 60 talas in Hindustani music, each with its unique structure and character.
Hindustani music is performed using a variety of instruments, such as the sitar, tabla, sarangi, harmonium, and flute. The sitar is a stringed instrument that is similar to a guitar, while the tabla is a pair of drums that are used to create the rhythm and beat of the music. The sarangi is a bowed string instrument, and the harmonium is a keyboard instrument that is used to create a drone or sustained note.
One of the unique features of Hindustani music is its emphasis on both melody and rhythm. The music is structured around a rhythmic cycle, or tala, which is often accompanied by a drone or sustained note. The melody is then improvised within this framework, using a variety of techniques, such as alap, taan, and sargam.
Alap is the opening section of the performance, where the musician explores the raga in a slow and meditative manner. Taal is the second section, where the musician sings or plays a particular phrase of the composition and elaborates on it using different variations. Sargam is the third section, where the musician uses fast and intricate patterns of notes to create a sense of excitement and energy in the music.
Hindustani music has a rich and diverse repertoire of compositions that have been passed down through generations of musicians. The compositions are primarily in Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi, and they cover a wide range of topics such as devotion, love, nature, and mythology. Some of the famous composers of Hindustani music include Tansen, Amir Khusro, and Miyan Tansen.
Hindustani music has played a significant role in the cultural and social life of northern India. It has been performed in various settings, such as courts, temples, and concerts. The music has also been a medium for social and political expression, and it has been used to promote social harmony and national integration.

Salient features of Indian music

Use of ragas and talas: Ragas are melodic structures that define the mood and emotion of the music, while talas are rhythmic cycles that define the tempo and rhythm. For example, the raga Yaman is associated with a romantic mood, while the tala Teentaal has a cycle of 16 beats.
Improvisation: Indian music is known for its improvisational nature, where the musician explores the raga in a slow and meditative manner, and then improvises on it using different variations. For example, the alap section of the performance is a good example of improvisation in Indian music.
Use of microtones: Indian music uses microtones, which are notes that fall between the notes of the Western musical scale. These microtones are used to create subtle shades of emotion and expression. For example, the Indian shruti box is used to create microtones in Indian music.
Vocal Styles: Indian music has a wide range of vocal styles, such as the classical Gayaki style, the devotional Bhajan style, and the folk Baul style. Each style has its unique characteristics and expression. For example, the classical singer Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is known for his mastery of the Gayaki style.
Use of Instruments: Indian music uses a wide range of instruments, such as the sitar, tabla, sarangi, harmonium, and flute. Each instrument has its unique sound and character, and is used to create a different mood and expression. For example, the sitar is often used to create a meditative and introspective mood, while the tabla is used to create a rhythmic and energetic mood.
Lyrics and Poetry: Indian music often uses lyrics and poetry to express emotions and ideas. The lyrics and poetry can be in various languages, such as Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, and Tamil. For example, the song "Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein" by the composer Khayyam is a classic example of Indian music that uses poetry to express a romantic mood.
Fusion with other musical styles: Indian music has also been fused with other musical styles, such as jazz, rock, and hip hop. This fusion has created new and exciting forms of music that blend the traditional elements of Indian music with the contemporary elements of Western music. For example, the fusion band Shakti, led by the Indian musician Zakir Hussain, is known for its fusion of Indian music with jazz.