Music of India

Music of India

• Indian music is an essential part of India's culture and identity.
• Vocal music is a way for humans to communicate and engage with gods, and singing involves vocalization, transforming into a form of worship.

Characteristics of Indian Music

• Timbre: Indian vocal singing uses nasal techniques, while melodic instruments have sympathetic strings, adding resonance and fullness to the sound.
• Rhythm: Indian music has an elaborate metric system called "Tala", which is a complex system.
• Harmony: Tonal blending is heterophonic and highly ornamented, resulting in a texture from simultaneous performances of melodic variants of the same tune.
• Melody: Indian classical music has a complex modal system, with melodies ornamented with added notes that are not vital to the overall line.
• Raga: The essential melodic element of Indian classical music is called "Raga", which is the basis of Indian classical music.
• Texture: Sound is organized using melodic or drum accompaniment, and drone accompaniment, supplied by string instruments.

Types of Indian Classical Music

• Hindustani Music: Originates in North India, primarily vocal-centric, and instruments are designed to emulate the human voice.
• Carnatic Music: Originates in South India, emphasizing vocal music, with songs addressing Hindu deities, and focusing on love and social issues.

Musical Characteristics

• Hindustani Music: Based on the Raga system, sometimes uses Tala, practices non-metric system, emphasizes instrumental music, and starts with a slow melodic elaboration.
• Carnatic Music: Emphasizes vocal music, performed with a small ensemble, faster and shorter in tempo, and includes "Temple Music".

Vocal Music of India

• Songs are a way for humans to communicate and engage with gods, and the singer feels the presence of Brahma through the clear presentation of rasa (dynamics).
• Singing involves vocalization, transforming into a kind of worship, and includes the use of raga in their composition.

Sample Songs of India

• Tamil Nad: Describes the natural beauty of a specific region in India.
• Vijaya: A farewell song in India.
• Hymn to Shiva: A song with spiritual content, usually sung in a slow tempo using nasal voice with a narrow range in melody.

Traditional Musical Instruments of India

• Bansuri: A transverse flute with 6-7 finger holes.
• Pungi: Played by snake charmers in street performances.
• Shruti Upanga: A type of bagpipe often used to supply a drone.
• Shehnai: A wooden oboe with metal at its end.
• Ghatam: An earthen pot played by tapping its outer surface.
• Ghungroo: Small metallic bells, used as a musical anklet tied to the feet of the dancer.
• Khartal: A hand clapper commonly used in religious songs.
• Jal Tarang: A set of ceramic bowls tuned using water, stuck on their edges.
• Tabla: A pair of drums derived from the Arabic "tabi" or drum.
• Mridanga: A Carnatic ensemble's rhythmic accompaniment.
• Damaru: A small two-headed drum made of wood and leather.
• Chande: A drum used in Carnatic music mainly in Yakshagana theatre art.
• Tambura: A string instrument used in Indian classical music.