Hindustani classical music

Hindustani classical music
Name	Hindustani classical music
Cultural origins	Indian subcontinent
Instruments	Sitar, tabla, sarangi, bansuri, harmonium, sarod, shehnai, veena, pakhavaj

Hindustani classical music. It is one of the two principal traditions of Indian classical music, distinct from its southern counterpart, Carnatic music. This tradition evolved in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, including present-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and is noted for its intricate melodic improvisation and rhythmic complexity. Its development was significantly shaped by historical interactions with Persian, Turkic, and Islamic musical practices, particularly during the era of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire.

History and origins

The roots of this tradition are traced to ancient textual sources like the Sama Veda and the theoretical treatise Natyashastra by Bharata Muni. A pivotal period of synthesis began with the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century, fostering exchanges between indigenous Indian music and Persian music. This fusion deepened under the patronage of the Mughal Empire, especially during the reign of Akbar, whose court featured legendary musicians like Miyan Tansen. The colonial period under the British Raj and the subsequent cultural shifts following the Partition of India in 1947 also influenced its modern trajectory. Key theoretical consolidation occurred with the work of scholars such as Bhatkhande and V. N. Bhatkhande in the early 20th century.

Theory and structure

The melodic foundation is the raga, a complex framework governing pitch, ornamentation, and mood, with examples like Yaman, Bhairav, and Malkauns. The rhythmic system is governed by tala, cyclical time-cycles such as Teental and Rupak. Performance typically involves the gradual elaboration of a raga through structured sections: the slow, unmetred Alap, the rhythmic but pulse-free Jor, the fast-paced Jhala, and the composition-oriented Gat or Bandish. The drone, often provided by the tanpura, sustains the tonic Sa and its fifth. Theoretical texts like the Sangita Ratnakara by Sharngadeva have been central to its pedagogy.

Major genres and forms

The primary vocal forms include the expansive, devotional Dhrupad, the more popular and romantic Khyal, and the light-classical Thumri. Other significant vocal styles are the devotional Bhajan and Qawwali, and the semi-classical Tappa and Tarana. Major instrumental genres mirror vocal structures, featuring the Masitkhani Gat and Razakhani Gat for plucked strings. The Jugalbandi, a duet between artists, often highlights the interplay between instruments like the sitar and sarod or between vocal and instrumental styles.

Instruments

Melodic instruments are divided into chordophones and aerophones. Key chordophones include the plucked sitar associated with Vilayat Khan, the bowed sarangi, the fretless sarod linked to Ali Akbar Khan, and the veena. Primary aerophones are the bamboo flute bansuri, mastered by Hariprasad Chaurasia, and the double-reed shehnai, popularized by Bismillah Khan. The primary percussion is the pair of drums known as tabla, with its Purbi and Delhi gharana styles, while the pakhavaj is used for Dhrupad. The harmonium provides chordal support, and the tanpura supplies the continuous drone.

Notable exponents and gharanas

The tradition is organized around stylistic schools or gharanas, each with distinct techniques and repertoires. Major vocal gharanas include the Gwalior gharana, Agra gharana, Kirana gharana associated with Abdul Karim Khan and Bhimsen Joshi, and the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. Instrumental lineages feature the Imdadkhani gharana for sitar and the Maihar gharana, which produced maestros like Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan. Other legendary figures include vocalist Mogubai Kurdikar, sarod player Amjad Ali Khan, and tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain.

Cultural impact and legacy

This music form is a pillar of Indian culture, deeply influencing other genres like Indian film music and Indie and fusion music globally. Its international proliferation was significantly advanced by Ravi Shankar's collaborations with The Beatles and violinist Yehudi Menuhin, and by festivals like the Woodstock and Monterey Pop Festival. Institutions such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi, ITC Sangeet Research Academy, and universities preserve and promote its study. Its spiritual dimension connects to traditions of Sufism and Hinduism, and it remains a vital, evolving art form taught through the ancient Guru-shishya tradition.

Category:Indian music Category:Hindustani music Category:Classical and art music traditions