Music of India PDF

## Music of India Music is a very important part of India's culture. It is a sacred form of artistic expression for the people of India. Its beginnings date back to the ancient times. Over the centuries, the Indians have developed their own musical style, form, and principle of composition that is...

## Music of India Music is a very important part of India's culture. It is a sacred form of artistic expression for the people of India. Its beginnings date back to the ancient times. Over the centuries, the Indians have developed their own musical style, form, and principle of composition that is extremely different from the Western orientation. ### The Images - The Hindu God, Shiva as Nataraja (Lord of the Dance) - The Hindu God, Vishnu (The Preserver) Try to describe the pictures above. What words can you use to describe them? Do you think the same words apply to the music of India? ### Studying Indian Music The study of Indian music begins with the religious and philosophical aspects of Indian culture. According to ancient scriptures, it was believed that Indian music was a gift from heaven. They thought that sound is of God and everything is a manifestation of God. It was created by the Indian Gods Shiva (the destroyer), Brahma (the creator), and Vishnu (the preserver). The development of Indian music began from the religious chants called Vedas, which were sung without accompaniment. As the years passed, other sacred hymns like Rig Vedas were developed and integrated. These hymns were passed on through oral traditions until such time that a notation system was developed. ### The Musical Elements of Indian Music | Element | Details | |---|---| | Timbre | Nasal, Melodic instruments such as sitar have sympathetic strings, the vibrations of which create a distinctive shimmering texture. Other melodic instruments such as tesarangi imitate the forward vocal quality. | | Harmony/Texture | Heterophonic and highly ornamented | | Rhythm | Elaborate metric system of *Indian Tala* | | Form | Highly improvisatory, Pre-composed piece - strict rhythm with tala | | Melody | Ornamented and complex modal system, Uses drone, Uses raga, the essential melodic element in Indian classical music | ### Religions and Beliefs In India Religion is considered to be extremely important. India is known as the "land of spirituality and philosophy," and was the birthplace of some religions that exist in the world. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jaimism, and Sikism are four of the world's major religons. Religion has been part of the country's growing culture. Aside from the four major religions, they also have Islam and Christianty. In Hinduism, their beliefs lay in reincarnation, various forms of yoga to raise awareness, time as a revolving circle, karma, mantras, and yantras. ### How Are Religion, Beliefs, And Music Related In India? Music, being a very important part of India's culture, has given unity to Indian society, and civilisation. Their music and religion are connected because sound, in it's endless possibilities, is essential to Indian religious thought. Hindus use music in their ritual and worship. Musical performance, whether religious or classical, would be impossible without the expressive presence of ritual and participation. Music has the power to carefully scrutinize the temporal and social components of rituals, therefore transposing them from the ordinary things into the sacred world. ### The Musical Characteristics Of Indian Music #### Hindustani Music - Sometimes called North Indian classical music - Indigenous to the north - Based on the raga system - Uses tala - Practice of nonmetric system - Instrumental music is more important - Starts with a slow elaboration of raga #### Carnatic Music - Indigenous to southern part of Indian subcontinent - Main emphasis on vocal music - Most compositions are written to be sung - Performed with a small ensemble - Faster and shorter in tempo - "Temple Music" ### What Are Examples of Vocal Music Of India? Vocal music of India is a way to express their deep devotion to their gods and goddesses. It is manifested through the art of vocalization that becomes more than a vocal warm-up, but an act of their worship. Examples of vocal music: - Lakshangeet is a style which is oriented toward musical education. - Swarmalika is used for pedagogic purposes, Sargam is used instead of words. - Gangal is a style known for rich romantic and poetic content. - Tamil Nad speaks of the beauty of the land of the Tamils. - Vijaya is an example of a farewell song. ### Here Is An Example Of An Indian Song Hymn to Shiva is a song with spiritual content. It is usually sang in a slow tempo using a nasal voice with a narrow range in melody. | Hymn to Shiva | English Translation | |---|---| | Po-nai ma-ta-raibhu-mi-yaina-di-de | Silver coins, pleasures full, no more am I wanting | | Yen-naina-di-ya yen u-yi-na-tha | Only thee do I hope to find and purify my soul. Gladly now do I seek for thy holy goodness. | | ne. Un-naina-du-van un-na-rul-te-ve-li. Tan-nai | And in truth I shall pray and seek in my heart for thee. | | na-du-van tan nan tan niya ne | | ### What Are The Two Types of Classical Music In India? 1. **Raga** is a melodic pattern that can be ascending and descending in scale where key notes and phrases bring out the entire character. It uses seven tones. - INDIAN TONAL SYSTEM - Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa-Dha-Ni - WESTERN TONAL SYSTEM - Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti ### The Traditional Instruments Of India | Instrument Type | Specific Instrument | Description | |---|---|---| | Aerophones | Bansuri | A transverse flute of India with six or seven finger holes | | Idiophones | Ghatam | An earthen pot. The players use their hands to strike the outer surface | | Membranophones | Tabla | A pair of drums. The name is derived from an Arabic word *tabl,* which means "drum." | | Chordophones | Tambura | A long-necked plucked lute | | | Pungi | Originated in India and is still played by snake charmers in street performances. | | | Ghungroo | One of many small metallic bells; musical anklet tied to the feet of the dancer. | | | Mridanga | A primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Carnatic music ensemble | | | Rubab | A short-necked lute | | | Shruti Upanga | A kind of bagpipe often used to supply a drone | | | Khartal | Commonly used in religious songs | | | Damaru | A small two-headed drum made of wood with leather drumheads at both ends | | | Sitar | A plucked string instrument | | | Shenai | Made of wood with a metal at the end of it | | | Jal Tarang | Consists of sets of ceramic bowls that are tuned using water. It is played by striking the edge of the beaters | | | Maddale | Belongs to Mridangam family of drums | | | Ektara | A one-stringed instrument used in traditional music. Direct wood or coconut shell is used as resonator |