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Classical Music in India
 Music is the soul of the cosmos. It is found everywhere
from the rustling of the trees, to the playful streams to
the pitter-patter of the raindrops. Indian music in
particular is one of the oldest and finest forms of human
expression.
The Vedas, representing the most ancient literature known
to the world, are set to a distinctive melody that is
absolutely soothing. Folk and classical music developed
side by side.
The varied human passions like agony, ecstasy, sorrow,
hope and desire find expression in the subtle notes of
music.
In India, music has been categorized by the scripts into
two main streams known as the `margi` and the `desi`,
roughly translated as `classical` and `folk`. The basic
tenets of classical music have been laid down by numerous
ancient texts.
Hindustani and Carnatic are the two main streams of
classical music. Though they have similar origins and
sources according to ancient scripts, they are distinct.
There are references about the Dhruvaprabhada (later
transformed into the Dhrupad) in the ancient texts such as
Natya Shastra of Bharata and Sangeetha Magaradham, Raga
Sarangini etc.
Dhrupad developed as a part of worship in temples and
various rituals such as yajnas. Dhrupad has four distinct
gharanas or schools namely - Gudiya Govarhar, Khandar,
Dagar and Nauhar.
Instrumental Music in India
A new form of Hindustani classical emerged during the 13th
and 14th centuries. This was known as `Khayal` meaning
`imagination`. The style gave an entirely new meaning to
Hindustani classical music. Amir Khusrau is considered to
be the proponent of this style.
`Raga` meaning `melody` is India`s contribution to the
world of music. It is fundamental to Indian classical
music, both Hindustani and Carnatic. A highly scientific
and practical manner for the classification of raga was
introduced by Venkatamahi. This became the foundation for
Indian classical music. Ragas are made of different
combinations of `sapta swara or seven notes`. These are
Sa- Sadjam, Ri-Rishabam, Ga-Gaandhaaram, Ma-Madhyamam, Pa-Pancham,
Dha-Dhaivadam, Ni-Nishadam. |
