Indian classical music

Indian classical music
Name	Indian classical music
Cultural origins	Ancient Indian subcontinent
Instruments	Sitar, tabla, sarangi, bansuri, veena, mridangam, sarod, shehnai, harmonium
Subgenres	Hindustani classical music, Carnatic music
Other topics	Raga, tala, guru–shishya tradition

Indian classical music is one of the oldest musical traditions in the world, with roots tracing back millennia to the Vedic period. It is a sophisticated system built on the melodic framework of raga and the rhythmic cycle of tala. The tradition bifurcated around the 13th century into two major systems: the northern Hindustani classical music and the southern Carnatic music, each with distinct stylistic and theoretical developments.

Origins and history

The earliest references are found in the ancient Sama Veda, which involved chanting of hymns. Theoretical texts like the Natyashastra, attributed to Bharata Muni, and later the Dattilam and Brihaddeshi by Matanga Muni, systematically elaborated musical concepts. The medieval period saw significant synthesis under the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, where Persian influences enriched the northern tradition. Key treatises from this era include the Sangita Ratnakara by Sharngadeva and the works of Amir Khusrau, while the Bhakti movement and compositions by saints like Purandara Dasa profoundly shaped the southern tradition.

Theoretical foundations

The core theory rests on two interdependent pillars: raga and tala. A raga is a melodic structure governing pitch, ornamentation, and mood, often associated with specific times or seasons. The rhythmic system of tala provides a cyclical time measure. The foundational scale is the swara, with notes like shadja and panchama considered immutable. The concept of shruti denotes microtonal intervals, while gamaka refers to essential ornamentation. Theoretical discourse is deeply documented in texts from the Natyashastra to the Chaturdandi Prakashika by Venkatamakhin.

Major traditions

The two principal, distinct traditions are Hindustani classical music, predominant in North India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and Carnatic music, centered in the southern Indian states. Hindustani classical music absorbed influences from Persian music and Central Asia, emphasizing improvisation within structures like the khayal and dhrupad. In contrast, Carnatic music remained more rooted in ancient Sanskrit texts and devotional compositions, with a strong emphasis on fixed, composed pieces called kriti by composers such as Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri.

Musical structure and forms

A typical performance involves the elaborate exploration of a raga, beginning with a slow, unmetred alap or raga alapana to unveil the melody. In Hindustani classical music, this is followed by structured compositions like the bandish in vocal music or gat in instrumental music, set to a tala and featuring rhythmic improvisation. Major vocal forms include dhrupad, khayal, thumri, tappa, and tarana. In Carnatic music, the central form is the kriti, preceded by raga alapana and followed by niraval and kalpanaswaram. The concert concludes with a rhythmic piece like a tillana or a devotional mangalam.

Instruments

A wide array of instruments is classified into melodic (tantri), rhythmic (avanaddh), and wind (sushir) categories. Prominent string instruments include the sitar, sarod, veena, violin, and tanpura (for drone). Key percussion instruments are the tabla, mridangam, pakhawaj, ghatam, and kanjira. Wind instruments feature the bansuri and shehnai, while the harmonium is common as an accompaniment. Instruments like the sarangi and gottuvadhyam are revered for their ability to mimic the human voice.

Performance and pedagogy

The traditional learning method is the guru–shishya tradition, involving intensive, oral transmission. Major modern institutions include the Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, and Madras Music Academy. Performance settings range from the intimate baithak to large concert halls at festivals like the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Festival and the Thyagaraja Aradhana. The system of gharanas, such as the Gwalior gharana and Agra gharana, denotes stylistic lineages in Hindustani classical music.

Influence and legacy

The tradition has profoundly influenced global music, inspiring artists like Yehudi Menuhin, The Beatles, and John Coltrane. It is a vital part of Indian cinema, with composers like Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and M. S. Subbulakshmi achieving international acclaim. Institutions like the Sangeet Natak Akademi and titles like Padma Shri and Bharat Ratna recognize mastery. Its principles continue to inform genres from Indian pop to fusion music and global world music collaborations.

Category:Indian classical music Category:Music of India Category:Classical and art music traditions