Indian Classical Music

The perceived image of Indian music to the world has been restricted to commercial Bollywood music, which includes film songs and pop music. Truth to be told is that it is only the surface of the beautiful and the deep ocean of Indian music. The greatness of Indian music lies in its history. It belongs to the days when the Indian nation was not divided by borders. India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka played their respective parts to give Indian classical music its melody and methods.

The filmy music that we today listen to, is influenced by western elements and instruments. Nonetheless, it is the fusion of Indian classical music and western instruments that makes filmy music so commercially successful. The combination of Indian classical raga and tala, with western instruments, such as guitar, piano, and drums makes modern commercial music so mellifluous. However, Indian classical music is much more intricate than that. 

Distinction into Hindustani and Carnatic Styles

By the 16th century, Indian classical music had its distinction into Hindustani and Carnatic music. By then, Hindustani music had considerable foreign influence owing to the Mughal rule in India. Great contributions of people like Amir Khusrow enhanced this style of music. On the other side, Carnatic music is devoid of such foreign influences. Although both the traditions are more alike than different, the Hindustani tradition focuses on all the aspects of raga and using this melodic framework to create music. Ragas are believed to paint the mind and emotions of the listener with colors. The ragas intend to both, please and purify one’s mind and spirit.

The roots of Carnatic classical music entrenches from the southern states of India like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and even the overseas land of Sri Lanka. The Persian and Sufi music has left influence over The Hindustani system of music. 

Hindustani Music

There are about four hundred thousand ragas in Hindustani classical music. Dhrupad is the oldest vocal style of the Hindustani tradition. The dhrupad style was used to praise kings and deities. The tappa form is the faster form of Hindustani music in which musical notes are bounced and re-bounced. The tappa depicts the voice of lovers. One of the popular classical music styles is “Thumri, a flexible raga that involves dancing, eroticism, love, and folk songs. 

The lineage of Hindustani classical music is carried through “Gharana,” a system of apprenticeship and musical education of a particular classical music style. The Gharanas have been categorized into Vocal and Instrumental Gharanas, and further subcategorized through Ragas and cities. Gharanas like, Gwalior Gharana, Agra Gharana, Lucknow Gharana, and Indore Gharana are a few prominent examples. All the musicians from each Gharana possess unique abilities to enunciate the compositions. Sometimes a performer of one Gharana can adapt styles from another to improvise.

Hindustani classical music has made its way to South Asian countries also. Perhaps the language barrier is broken by Hindustani instrumental music with a fast tempo. Originally Veena was the prime instrument in creating Hindustani classical pieces, but today Sarod and Sitar are widely implemented. Harmonium, Shehnai, and Bansuri are the wind instruments, and in a percussive style, Tabla and Pakhavaj are the key instruments. Due to the influence of Persian style, slide guitar is the string instrument of Hindustani style along with Santoor, Sursringar, Surbahar. 

Influence over the world music

Pandit Ravi Shankar has influenced the legendary band, The Beatles, and especially the band’s lead guitarist, George Harrison. Tabla player, Zakir Hussain has a major influence on percussion instrumentalists all over the world. Shiv Kumar Sharma has been credited with making Santoor known across the world. 

Concerts and festivals

The Hindustani classical music is celebrated across India and the major festival to enjoy is Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar (The oldest Indian classical music festival). Also, The Dover Lane Music Conference in Kolkata and The Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Festival in Pune are enticing musical treats to experience.

Carnatic Music

The second distinction in Indian classical music is Carnatic (Karnatak), belonging to South India. Although it is akin to Hindustani traditions, it has its unique trademark. Originality and complexity are the roots of Carnatic music. It has room for improvisation and allows vocals to emphasize the music even when an instrument is played in Carnatic style. Carnatic music has been crafted to perform in a vocal style. The audience of Carnatic music poses knowledge of the tradition. They even count the “Thaalam” (Tala) while listening to be in unison with the concert. Tala is a musical meter, which measures the rhythm in beats or strikes. The mix of Raga and Tala is the bedrock of Indian classical music. A Carnatic music performance or a concert is typically known as a ‘Katcheri’.

A Carnatic concert is performed by an ensemble of musicians that includes a vocalist, a violinist, a percussion instrument like Mridang, and a tambura. Other instruments, that the Carnatic system uses are Veena, Chitraveena, Venu flute, Ghatam, Morsing, and Kinjara.

Legends at this music

The Three Jewels of Carnatic music, also known as the Trinity of Carnatic music, are the musicians of the 18th century, namely Shyama Shastri, Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar. Their distinctive talent and management of Ragas have defined Carnatic music as we know today. Even though their age of influence was apart from each other, but interestingly they belonged to the same city Thiruvarur of Tamilnadu. Sangeetha Kalanidhi Award is considered one of the most prestigious awards in Indian Classical Music.

Concerts to witness

If one wishes to witness Carnatic concerts, they can do so by attending the “Madras Music Season,” which takes place from mid-November to January. It is one of the largest cultural events on the planet.

Indian Classical music is so complex yet so influential that one cannot comprehend it all in just one lifetime. It has taken centuries of dedication from musicians and Gharanas to learn and adapt to the suras, Ragas, and Talas.