Explore And Learn About Indian Music

What do you know about Indian Music?

India, being a vast and diverse country with various types of culture, has numerous genres and many varieties in music, such as classical music, folk music, rock, and pop. In India, music started as a fundamental part of socio-religious life. 

What is unique about Indian music?

In Indian music, there are various music notes or ‘swear’, also known as ‘Sur’, such as sa re ga ma pa da ni sa and tempo, or ‘taal’ (beats per minute), which helps to make the Indian music sound more graceful. Also, the different types of instruments add to the soulfulness of Indian music. 

What is Indian Classical Music?

Indian Classical Music refers to the Indian subcontinent’s classical music, consisting of two major traditions- the North Indian classical music (also known as Hindustani music) and the South Indian Expression (also known as Carnatic Music). These traditions became more prominent from the 15th century. 

Indian Classical Music

As we now know what Indian Classical Music is, let us know more about the two major traditions that it consists of, that is, Hindustani Music and Carnatic Music. 

Hindustani classical music refers to the classical music of northern regions of the Indian subcontinent. This music is also known as North Indian Classical Music or Shastriya Sangeet. Hindustani classical music or North Indian Classical Music diverged from Carnatic music (the classical tradition of southern regions of the Indian subcontinent) and originated in the 12th century CE. Hindustani music emphasises improvising and exploring all features and aspects of raga (series of musical notes), which originates from various sources like religious hymns, folk tunes, etc. This raga is sung to a rhythmic beat or ‘taal’. This is a melodic type of music. 

Indian classical music comprises seven basic notes with five interspersed half-notes, which results in a 12-note scale. The base frequency of the scale is not fixed, and intertonal gaps keep varying. Hindustani music is vocal-centric, although instrumental forms have existed since ancient times. Various instruments are associated with Hindustani classical music, such as Veena, Sitar, Sarod,Tambura, Bansuri, Shehnai, Harmonium, etc. 

Carnatic Music, associated with South India, includes modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Carnatic music is mainly sung through compositions, the Kriti (also known as kirtanam). The evolution of Carnatic Music is predominated by the Telugu language as most of the compositions are in Telugu and Sanskrit. Carnatic music is generally performed by a small group of musicians, consisting of a vocalist (the principal performer), accompanied by melody (usually a violin) and rhythm (mridangam), and a Tambura. 

Other musical instruments may include the ghatam, kanjira, veena, etc. Most of the Carnatic musicians are found in the city of Chennai. Carnatic music is learned and taught through compositions, encoding many complex musical details and providing a way for free improvisation. Most of the Carnatic compositions are composed for singing. Each composition helps in portraying the knowledge and personality of the composer. Hence, the lyrics play a crucial role. Carnatic music’s most common and significant forms are the varnam and the kriti (or kirtanam). 

Indian Classical Music is rich in tradition and closely connected to nature. It takes inspiration and ideas from natural phenomena like seasons and times of the day to make ragas and taals. The nature of Indian Classical Music is very meditative, immersive and uplifting, and hence, it provides a sense of peace. 

Indian Musical Instruments 

Various musical instruments are used in Indian Music. Some of them have been listed and described below:

1. Sitar is a plucked stringed instrument, mainly used in Hindustani (North Indian) classical music. This instrument prospered under the Mughals and is named after a Persian instrument called the ‘setar’ (meaning three strings). Sitar comprises a long hollow neck and a gourd-shaped resonance chamber.
2. Tabla – It is a membranophone percussion instrument originating from the Indian subcontinent, consisting of a pair of drums. It is generally used in traditional, classical, and folk music and has been playing the role of being an important instrument in Hindustani Classical Music.  
3. Mridangam – This is a percussion instrument, with its origin in ancient India, and plays the role of being the primary rhythmic accompaniment in Carnatic music. 
4. Tanpura (Tambura) – It is an instrument with four strings and a long neck that is plucked to create a type of classical droning sound, basically used in Hindustani classical music and Carnatic Music. It is used to create a sonic background, which sustains and against which a vocalist sings a melody or is played by another instrument. 
5. Bansuri – This is a type of flute made of bamboo and is mostly used in Hindustani classical music. It comprises six or seven finger holes and is between twelve to thirty inches long. It is an important instrument in the Natya Shastra (a Sanskrit text on Indian classical music). 

Apart from these, various other important instruments are used in Indian Music. 

Conclusion:

India is a diverse country, and its music is also diverse, comprising different genres and languages. Indian classical music helps to preserve and portray the different cultures present in our country in a very soulful and melodic way, accompanied by the instruments that add a great texture to it.