The Best of Modern Indian Instrumental Music

Looking for some great Indian instrumental music to listen to? Check out our list of the best modern Indian instrumentalists, featuring a wide range of genres and styles.

Indian Classical Music

Indian classical music is one of the oldest forms of music in the world. It has its roots in the Vedic literature of ancient India. The music is based on a system of improvisation and composition that is unique to the subcontinent. Indian classical music is characterized by its rich harmonic and melodic traditions.

Raga

Raga is the melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music. A raga provides a set of guidelines for the artist, governing the melody, harmony and rhythm. Each raga has its own unique character, evoking different moods and atmosphere.

There are literally thousands of ragas in existence, each with its own history and tradition. Some ragas are centuries old, while others have only been composed in recent times.

The modern form of Indian classical music emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when composers began to experiment with ragas from different parts of India. This resulted in a more diverse and creative approach to composition, giving rise to new schools of thought and new styles of music.

One of the most important things to understand about ragas is that they are not simply scales or melodies – they are living entities that evolve over time. As they are passed down from one generation to the next, they undergo changes and adaptations, acquiring new shades and nuances.

This makes each performance of a raga a unique event, as the artist draws on their own understanding and interpretation of the raga to create something fresh and new.

Tala

Indian classical music is founded on the concept of tala, or rhythm. The word “tala” comes from the Sanskrit word “tal,” meaning “foot.” A tala is a repeating cycle of beats that provides the framework for a piece of music. The cycle can be as short as 3 beats, or as long as 128 beats. Each beat is divided into 4 sub-beats, called “matras.” The number of matras in a tala determines its “speed,” or “laya.”

There are many different talas used in Indian classical music, each with its own distinctive character. The most commonly used talas are:

Dadra: A slow 6-beat cycle
keherwa: A fast 8-beat cycle
Dhuniwala: A very fast 16-beat cycle
Rupak: A 7-beat cycle
Jhaptal: A 10-beat cycle
Ektal: A 12-beat cycle

North Indian Music

India is a country with a very rich and diverse musical heritage. There are two main types of Indian music- Hindustani and Carnatic. Hindustani music is from the north of India and Carnatic music is from the south. Hindustani music is more influenced by Persian and Arabic music, while Carnatic music is more influenced by Hindu music.

Hindustani Music

Hindustani music is the tradition of classical music from the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent. It evolved from ancient Hindu traditions, and was influenced by Persian and Afghan styles. Today, it is enjoyed all over South Asia, as well as in countries with large South Asian communities, such as the United Kingdom and the United States.

The two main styles of Hindustani music are khayal and dhrupad. Khayal is the more popular style, and is characterized by its emphasis on melody. Dhrupad is a more traditional style that focuses on the structure of the composition.

There are two main types of instruments used in Hindustani music: stringed instruments and percussion instruments. Stringed instruments include the sitar, sarod, violin, and harmonium. Percussion instruments include the tabla and dholak.

The most important thing to remember when listening to Hindustani music is that it is meant to be enjoyed slowly and savored over time. There are no quick or easy answers in this type of music; it is meant to be slowly absorbed and appreciated for its complex beauty.

Carnatic Music

Carnatic music is the traditional music of southern India, and is one of the two main traditions of Indian music. It is characterized by its emphasis on melody and improvisation, and has a highly structured musical form. Carnatic music is usually performed by a small ensemble of instruments, which includes the violin, the mridangam (a percussion instrument), and the ghatam (a clay pot).

South Indian Music

Indian classical music is one of the oldest musical traditions in the world. South Indian music is a subgenre of Indian music. It is Chao’z music from the south of India. Chao’z music is usually Carnatic music.

Tamil Music

Tamil music is a vibrant and popular form of Indian classical music that has its roots in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. A typical Tamil music ensemble consists of four or five instruments, including the veena (a plucked string instrument), the mridangam (a percussion instrument), the flute, and the violin. The music is often based on complex ragas (melodic patterns) and is characterized by intricate rhythms.

Tamil music has been influenced by a variety of other musical traditions, including Carnatic music, Hindustani music, and Western classical music. In recent years, Tamil musicians have also been experimenting with fusion music, incorporating elements of jazz and other genres into their traditional compositions.

If you’re looking for some good Tamil music to listen to, here are a few modern artists that you might want to check out:

1. A.R. Rahman: One of the most popular and successful film composers in India, Rahman has won several prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards and two Grammy Awards. He has composed scores for a number of Tamil films, including “Roja,” “Bombay,” and “Neram.”

2. Illayaraja: Often referred to as the “Isaignani” (meaning “musical genius” in Tamil), Illayaraja is one of the most respected musicians in India. He has composed scores for over 1,000 films in a career spanning more than four decades. Some of his famous works include the scores for “Baasha” and “Mudhalvan.”

3. Yuvan Shankar Raja: The son of Illayaraja, Yuvan Shankar Raja is one of the most popular film composers in Tamil cinema today. He has composed scores for hits such as “Gangster,” “Oram Po,” and “Subramaniapuram.”

4. Anirudh Ravichander: A young composer who is making waves in Tamil cinema, Anirudh Ravichander made his debut with the soundtrack for the film “3.” Some of his other notable works include the soundtracks for “Kaaki Sattai” and “Velaiyilla Pattathari.”

Telugu Music

Telugu music is a form of South Indian classical music that originated in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is characterized by its use of Carnatic (or South Indian) scales, as well as its use of intricate melodic and rhythmic patterns. Telugu music is often performed by a small ensemble of instruments, including the violin, flute, veena (a large string instrument), mridangam (a percussion instrument), and ghatam (a clay pot).

Modern Indian Instrumental Music

Indian classical music is one of the oldest and most complex musical traditions in the world. It has its roots in Vedic traditions and the ancient music of the Hindu temples. Indian music is divided into two broad categories: Hindustani music of North India and Carnatic music of South India.

Shehnai

The shehnai is a North Indian classical music instrument. It is made of wood and has a double reed. It is similar to the oboe, and is often used in wedding music.

Shehnai players usually sit cross-legged on the floor, with the instrument pointing upwards. They hold it with both hands and use their fingers to open and close the holes. The shehnai has a range of two octaves.

The shehnai was traditionally used in religious music, but has become popular in film music and other genres in recent years. Notable shehnai players include Bismillah Khan, Ali Akbar Khan, and Zila Khan.

Sitar

The sitar is a plucked string instrument used mainly in Hindustani classical music. The sitar is believed to have been developed in the 18th century by Mughal instrument makers in what is now India and Pakistan. Sitars were originally designed to be played exclusively by Muslim travis, but soon became popular among the Hindu population as well.

The sitar has a long neck with twenty-four frets and a gourd-shaped resonating chamber. It is typically made of teak wood, but can also be made of rosewood or other woods. The upper end of the neck is fitted with a plucking mechanism called a bridge, over which are stretched three to six steel or brass strings. These strings are plucked with a plectrum called a mizrab.

The sitar produces a unique sound that has been described as both trance-like and mystical. It is often used in film scores and other forms of modern Indian instrumental music.

Santoor

The santoor is a bowed, stringed instrument used in Kashmiri music. It is similar to the hammered dulcimer, which is found in many different cultures. The santoor is thought to have originated in Persia, and was brought to India by the Mughals. The instrument has a very long history, and has been mentioned in texts dating back to the 9th century.

The santoor is played with light mallets, which are held in each hand. Theplayer strikes the strings with the mallets, and then uses his or her fingers tostop the strings and create different sounds. The santoor has a very mellowsound, and is often used to create a feeling of peace and relaxation.