Anatomy of Indian Music

Indian music is mainly segmented into two prime elements as tala and raga. Tala measures time cycle and raga is considered as a combination of various range-based Swara forms (including microtones) that intricate deeply fabricated melodic structure. The concept of Indian classical music along with a detailed description of Indian musical instruments are mentioned here. Moreover, what Gharana means in Indian music is also going to be discussed here. 

Indian classical music

There are 4 types of Indian music such as Jhor, Gat or Bandish, Jhala and Alap. From Vedic Hinduism literature, the prime root of this Indian classical music has been identified. Also, Bharat Muni (epic Sanskrit text) and Ancient Natyashastra have been mentioned about Indian classical music. Besides this, Indian classical music has evolved as well as adopted a wide range of regional styles including classical Bengali tradition. The openness of Indian classical music is referred to as assimilation regarding subcontinent influence and regional folk innovations. Indian classical music is considered as one of the oldest music across the world as it originated during Hindu Vedic period. Moreover, Indian classical music is melodious, deep and profound. In this context, it can be highlighted that the earliest music activity evidence is shown on Bhimbetka cave painting walls in Madhya Pradesh. This evidence is from more than ten thousand years ago. After that, some evidence regarding Indian classical music is also found in the Harappan civilization.  

The expanded area of Indian classical music is also segmented into two prime tradition-based genres Carnatic and Hindustani. Moreover, there are some other traditional genres of Indian classical music including tribal, folk and many others.         

Description of different Indian musical instruments

Indian music instruments can be segmented into 4 categories such as aerophones (wind instruments), chordophones (string instruments), idiophones (non-drum percussion instruments) and membranophones (drums). Moreover, Indian musical instruments are considered as tangible and represent music as an auditory art. 

String-based Indian musical instruments or chordophones are created sounds of music from string vibration settings. The string length is also determined as a vital factor in terms of producing music due to string vibration. Along with that, the string length also helps in determining the pitch of musical notes along with the duration of the music. In chordophones, some plucked string Indian musical instruments are Sita, Veena, Guitar, Sarod, Dotar, Ektar, Gottuvadyam and Tambura. Besides this, some string-based Indian musical instruments create music due to the vibration of bows. Some examples are Dilruba, Sarangi and Violin.    

Wind-based Indian musical instruments of aerophones are producing sound due to the vibration regarding a specific column of air within a tube. There are two types of wind-based Indian musical instruments. One of these segmented parts is developed tune due to wind supplied by performer’s breath such as Conch, Flute, Kombu and many others. On the other hand, in another segmentation, the sound is created due to wind supply through some mechanical contrivance such as Piano and Harmonium. 

Percussion-based Indian musical instruments produce sound through the vibration of a stretched skin or vibration due to the striking of two solid metals or pieces together. Mridangam is played with the aid of two hands, whereas Nagara and Damaram are played by striking the heads of two sticks. Besides this, Thavil can be played with the aid of one stick and one hand. Moreover, some other Percussion-based Indian musical instruments such as Timila, Chenta, Khanjira and Edaikka are played by stick or hand. 

Indian musical instruments are mainly made from stone or metal such as Talam, Jalra, Brahmatala, and many others. Generally, musicians play these kinds of Indian musical instruments by keeping them on their lap and playing with two hands.

Apart from these some Indian musical instruments are providing sruti accompaniment during any musical concert or performance including Dance, Instrumental music, or Vocal concert. These are considered as Drone, which is also considered as a vital part of Indian musical instruments. In this term, Tambura is an important Indian musical instrument that is a piece of classical drone music and mainly accompanies in vocal or instrumental music concerts.    

Brief description of Gharana in context of Indian music

In Indian classical music, learning and training have their roots that are considered as guru-shishya parampara or teacher-student parampara. Gharana in Indian music is presented as a consistent method and style regarding playing as well as singing musical instruments. It is mainly passed on within a family from one to another generation and for a minimum of 3 or more generations. The question What does Gharana mean in Indian music can be answered by mentioning the prime Classical Hindustani music gharanas significantly.

Besides this, Kirana Gharana in Indian music creates an emotional mood and it answers the question What does Gharana mean in Indian music by elaborating elongation of the musical notes.  

Conclusion

The rich Gharanas of Indian classical music have their own creative style that includes the musical structure of new approach, interpretation, and formations. The wide variation in Indian musical instruments presents the exquisite diversity of Indian classical music significantly. In this term, Indian classical music is mainly considered as an integral as well as rich cultural heritage of the country.