Indian Music and its Divisions

Indian Music and its Divisions

• Art is an expression of human emotions, known as 'RAS', signifying satisfaction
• Human emotions categorized into nine sub-headings ('navras')
• Music, dance, and drama are integral aspects of Indian culture
• Music has existed since ancient times, traced to Sama Veda, containing hymns set to music.
• Bharata's Natyashastra, an early text, discusses music in detail.
• Rulers like Samudragupta patronized music
• Music associated with worship of gods and goddesses in temples
• Gita Govinda, a 12th-century composition, illustrates the connection between music and religious themes.
• Hindustani classical music prevalent in Northern India and Carnatic music prevalent in Southern India.

Hindustani Classical Music

• Traces roots to the Delhi Sultanate era
• Amir Khusrau is credited with introducing new ragas (melodic modes).
• Instrumentalists credited with developing instruments and diverse styles, like those seen in Dhrupad, Dhamar, Thumri, Khayal, and Tappa.
• Tansen, a renowned musician, influenced Hindustani music tradition.

Carnatic Music

• Composition attributed to three composers (Shyam Shastri, Thyagaraja, and Muthuswami Dikshitar) between 1700 and 1850
• Purandardasa, also an important composer.
• Compositions known as Kriti, primarily of a devotional nature
• Instruments like flute, veena, nadaswaram, and mridangam accompany Carnatic music

Modern Indian Music

• Adoption of Western instruments (like violin and clarinet)
• Use of recording technologies (like cassettes)
• Rise of institutions for music education, reducing reliance on guru-shishya system where students studied under a teacher

Folk Music

• Rich tradition of folk music reflecting the emotions and experiences of the public
• Reflects diverse cultures with special characteristics and meanings. Ranging from Rajasthani folk songs to those from Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh.

Dances of India

• Dance is linked to a wide range of expressions and emotions.
• Ancient forms traceable to Harappan civilization.
• Dance associated with religious ideas, like Shiva as Nataraja expressing creation and destruction.
• Broadly categorized into folk and classical forms.
• Classical forms performed in temples and royal courts.
• Examples include Kathakali, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Kuchi pudi, and Odissi.
• Folk dance forms reflect the joys and sorrows of the people.

Science and Technology in India (Ancient)

• Ganita was a broad term that encompassed arithmetic, geometry, algebra, astronomy, and astrology.
• Geometry (Rekha Ganita), Arithmetic (Anka Ganita), Algebra (Bija Ganita) are terms relevant to Indian mathematics.
• Astronomy studied planetary movements, astrology and horoscopes. Contributions from Aryabhata, important figures.
• Developed the concept of zero.
• Significant contributions in medicine (Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita) and metallurgy (iron pillar).

Science and Technology in India (Medieval)

• Developed astronomy observatories in major cities.
• Advancements in mathematics, particularly in the field of algebra, and numerical systems.
• Manufacturing of gunpowder advanced.
• Notable contributions of thinkers like Brahmagupta, noted for his astronomical and mathematical works.

Science and Technology in India (Modern)

• Emphasis on science and technology for national growth
• Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) played an important role in agricultural development
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are significant government research bodies
• Indian Space Programme made significant global achievements.
• Progress in medical sciences.

Indian Music - History

• India has one of the world's oldest and most evolved musical systems.
• The study of Indian music starts with the religious and philosophical beliefs of Indian culture.
• Musical history divided into three periods: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern.
• Musical forms like Vedas and Upanishads played a role in Ancient period.