Indian Classical MusicBy Daniel Herceg

Indian classical music is a type of classical music that derives from the Indian culture. “Vedas”, the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition, shows the origin of this music. The music is both elaborate and expressive. Unlike Western classical music, Indian classical music puts great emphasis on improvisation. The music is usually monophonic in nature and based around a single melody line. However, duets are also a common and popular aspect of Indian classical music.

Hindustani classical music is a division of Indian classical music. The style is often referred to as North Indian classical music or “Shāstriya Sangīt”. The music originated

from Vedic (scriptural) ritual chants in the 12th century from what is now North India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan. The music is based around a

melodic mode sung to a rhythmic cycle. This makes the music usually polyphonic, and improvisation another key characteristic. Today, it is one of the two subgenres of Indian

classical music, the other being Carnatic music, the classical tradition of South India.

Instruments found in Hindustani classical music include the sitr, sarod, surbahar, rudra veena, violin, sarangi, bansuri, shenai, santoor, harmonium, jaltarang, tabla, pakhawaj, and tanpura.

Sarod

Tabla

Carnatic music is a type of music associated with South India. In a modern context, Carnatic music is highly concentrated in the city of Chennai. It evolved as distinct form of music from both Persian and Islamic influences in North India. The main focus in Carnatic music is the vocals, and most compositions are specifically written to be sung in gāyaki (singing) style, however occasionally instruments may accompany this monophonic texture. Carnatic music is usually performed by a small group of musicians: usually a vocalist, a violinist and a rhythm accompaniment (usually an Indian drum called a mridangam and/or a tambura). Additional typical instruments may include the ghatam, kanjira, morsing, venu flute, veena, and chitraveena.

Example of Hindustani Music

Here is an example of Hindustani music.

Example of Carnatic Music

Here is an example of Hindustani music.

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Infoplease.com. 2013. Hindu music | Infoplease.com. [online] Available at: http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/entertainment/hindu-music.html [Accessed: 24 Nov 2013].

Omenad.net. 2013. Omenad - Online Music Education. [online] Available at: http://www.omenad.net/page.php?goPage=%2Farticles%2Ficm.htm [Accessed: 24 Nov 2013].

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