Free Download: Instrumental Indian Music

Looking for some beautiful Indian music to relax to? Look no further! We’ve got a free download of some lovely instrumental Indian music for you to enjoy.

Introduction

If you’re looking for some awesome Indian music to download for free, then you’ve come to the right place! Here we’ve handpicked some of the best websites where you can find a huge collection of Indian music, both old and new, in all kinds of genres. So whether you’re a fan of classical Hindustani or Carnatic music, or you’re looking for some contemporary Bollywood tunes, these websites will have something for you. And best of all, they’re all absolutely free!

So go ahead and start exploring these wonderful resources for Indian music downloads. We’re sure you’ll find something that you’ll love.

What is Indian Music?

Indian music is the music of the Indian subcontinent. It includes ancient, medieval, and modern periods. Indian music is one of the oldest and longest-standing musical traditions in the world. The earliest known references to Indian music are from the Vedas, which are a collection of sacred Hindu texts that date back to 1500 BCE.

Indian classical music is based on the concert tradition known as a raga. A raga is a melodic framework that consists of a set of rules for improvisation and composition. Each raga has its own unique melodic structure, which is based on a specific scale (called a thaat). The two most common types of Indian classical music are Hindustani and Carnatic.

Hindustani music originates from northern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It is typically performed on instruments such as the sitar, tabla, and sarod. Carnatic music originates from southern India and is usually performed with instruments such as the veena, mridangam, and ghatam.

Indian folk music is incredibly diverse and includes a wide variety of regional styles. Some popular folk genres include Rajasthani folk music, Bengali folk music, Gujarati folk music, Punjabi folk music, and Assamese folk music.

Indian filmi music refers to the filmi soundtracks that are featured in Bollywood movies. These soundtracks typically include a mix of filmi songs (songs that are written specifically for films) and non-filmi songs (popular Hindi songs that are reused in films). Filmi songs are often characterized by their catchy melodies and elaborate choreography.

The Different Types of Indian Music

Indian music is classified into two main categories: classical and folk. Classical Indian music is based on the traditions of North India, while folk music is popular in the rural areas of the country.

The main types of classical Indian music are Hindustani and Carnatic. Hindustani music is based on the ragas, which are melodic patterns that determine the structure of a piece. Carnatic music, on the other hand, is based on fixed compositions called kritis.

Folk music in India varies depending on the region. Some popular types of folk music are bhangra from Punjab, lavani from Maharashtra, qawwali from Uttar Pradesh, and filmi from Bollywood.

The History of Indian Music

Indian music is one of the oldest forms of music in the world. The history of Indian music can be traced back to the Vedic period, which lasted from around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE. The Vedic period was a time when the Vedas, a collection of ancient Hindu scriptures, were first being composed. These scriptures contained hymns that were sung during religious ceremonies.

The Vedic period was followed by the Epic period, which lasted from around 500 BCE to 200 BCE. This was a time when the great Hindu epics, such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, were being composed. These epics contained many stories that were set to music and sung by bards.

The next major period in Indian music history is the Classical period, which lasted from around 200 BCE to 1200 CE. This was a time when Indian classical music first began to take shape. During this period, two main types of Indian classical music developed: Hindustani music and Carnatic music.

Hindustani music is mainly associated with the northern parts of India, while Carnatic music is mainly associated with the southern parts of India. Both Hindustani and Carnatic music are based on similar principles, but they have evolved in different ways over the centuries.

Indian classical music reached its height during the Mughal period, which lasted from around 1200 CE to 1700 CE. During this time, many great musicians and composers flourished, and Indian classical music reached new levels of sophistication.

Since then, Indian classical music has continued to evolve and grow in popularity both inside India and abroad. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in traditional Indian instruments and methods of playing them. This has led to a new generation of musicians who are bringing fresh energy and creativity to this ancient art form

The Instruments of Indian Music

Instrumental music is an important part of Indian culture. There are a wide variety of instruments that are used in Indian music, each with its own unique sound.

The most commonly used Indian instruments are the sitar, tabla, and flute. The sitar is a stringed instrument that is often used in classical Indian music. The tabla is a percussion instrument that is commonly used in Hindustani music. The flute is a wind instrument that is commonly used in both Hindustani and Carnatic music.

Other popular Indian instruments include the Sarangi (a bowed string instrument), the Shehnai (a wind instrument), and the Mridangam (a percussion instrument).

The Different Styles of Indian Music

India is a land of many cultures, languages and religions. It is also a land with a long and rich history of music. From the Vedic period to the present day, music has been an important part of Indian culture.

There are four major styles of Indian music: Hindustani, Carnatic, Rabindra Sangeet and filmi. Hindustani music is predominantly found in the north of India, while Carnatic music is more commonly found in the south. Rabindra Sangeet is a style of music associated with the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, while filmi music is that which is heard in Bollywood films.

Each style of Indian music has its own distinctive features. Hindustani music tends to be more melodic than Carnatic music, with a greater emphasis on improvisation. Carnatic music, on the other hand, is more structured and tends to be more percussive than Hindustani music. Rabindra Sangeet draws on both Hindustani and Carnatic traditions, while filmi music incorporates elements from both as well as Western pop and classical influences.

No matter what your taste in music may be, there is sure to be an style of Indian music that you will enjoy.

The Different Genres of Indian Music

There are many different genres of Indian music, each with its own unique history, style, and form. Whether you’re looking for the fast-paced energy of Bollywood or the more traditional sounds of Hindustani music, there’s an Indian musical style to suit your taste. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular genres of Indian music:

Bollywood: Bollywood is the Hindi film industry based in Mumbai, and its signature sound is a fascinating fusion of traditional Indian music with Western pop and filmi (soundtrack) influences. The result is an intoxicating blend of melody, rhythm, and emotion that will get your feet moving and your heart racing.

Hindustani: Hindustani music is a classical North Indian musical tradition that dates back to the 12th century. It is characterized by intricate melodic patterns and complex rhythms, often played on traditional instruments like the sitar and tabla.

Carnatic: Carnatic music is a classical South Indian musical tradition that dates back to the 16th century. It is known for its beautiful melodies, rich rhythms, and deep emotions. Carnatic music is often played on traditional instruments like the veena and mridangam.

Folk: Folk music is the traditional music of India’s folk communities. It varies widely from region to region, but it usually has a simple melody and rhythm that is easy to dance to. Folk songs are often about love, nature, or religious subjects.

Qawwali: Qawwali is a Sufi devotional music tradition from South Asia that dates back to the 13th century. It is characterized by catchy rhythms, soulful melodies, and emotional vocals.”

The Different Forms of Indian Music

There are various forms of Indian music, each with their own unique history and style. From the classical music of the North to the folk music of the South, there is a vast range of sounds and rhythms to be discovered.

Indian music can be classified into two main categories: Hindustani and Carnatic. Hindustani music is religious in nature and dates back to the 12th century, whereas Carnatic music is more secular and originated in the 16th century. Both styles are based on Ragas, which are melodic frameworks that provide structure to a piece of music.

Within these two main categories, there are further sub-categories such as Bhajan ( devotional), Ghazal (love poems set to music), Qawwali ( devotional songs from Sufism) and Rabindra Sangeet (songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore).

Indian music is not just about melodies and harmonies, but also about rhythm and percussion. There is a wide variety of instruments used in Indian music, from traditional instruments such as the sitar and tabla, to more modern ones such as the synthesizer and drum machine.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoy this free download of instrumental Indian music! If you like what you hear, be sure to check out our other releases. India is a land of rich culture and heritage, and we are proud to bring you the sounds of this amazing country.