The Backbone of Indian Classical Music

The sitar is the backbone of Indian classical music. It is a stringed instrument that is played with a plectrum. The sitar is used in Hindustani music.

Introduction

Indian classical music is rooted in tradition and has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The backbone of this music is the raga, which can be defined as a melodic mode or scale. There are hundreds of ragas in existence, each with its own distinct characteristics. Certain ragas are meant to be performed at specific times of day or night, while others are associated with particular seasons or festivals.

Ragas are usually named after the mood or emotion they are said to evoke, such as happiness, sorrow, love, or anger. Each raga consists of a series of notes that form its melodic structure, as well as a set of rules governing the order in which those notes can be played. A raga can be thought of as a template for improvising a piece of music, and skilled musicians will often add their own personal touch to a performance.

While the foundation of Indian classical music is based on the raga, there are other important elements that contribute to this rich and complex genre. These include tala, or rhythm; swara, or pitch; and laya, or tempo. Together, these elements create an intricate and beautiful tapestry of sound that has captivated audiences for centuries.

What is Indian Classical Music?

Indian Classical Music is a genre of South Asian music. It has its roots in the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. The music is based on two main principles: Raga, which is the melodic mode, and Tala, which is the rhythmic mode. Classical music is usually performed by a solo musician, with only a few accompaniments.

The Three Main Gharanas

In the world of Indian classical music, there are three main gharanas, or schools, of music: the north Indian gharana, the south Indian gharana, and the dhrupad gharana. Each gharana has its own unique style and history.

The north Indian gharana is the most popular and widespread of the three. This style originated in the royal courts of the Mughal Empire, and it features intricate rhythms and complex melodies. The best-known north Indian classical musicians include Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan.

The south Indian gharana is distinguished by its use of gamakas, or ornamental embellishments. This style is often said to be more “devotional” in nature, as it is often used in Carnatic music, which is traditionally performed during Hindu religious ceremonies. Some of the best-known south Indian classical musicians include M. S. Subbulakshmi and Lalgudi Jayaraman.

The dhrupad gharana is the oldest of the three styles, dating back to the 15th century. This style is characterized by its slow tempo and deep, resonant sound. The best-known dhrupad musician is Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan.

The Seven Main Ragas

Indian Classical music is based on the seven main Ragas, which are melodic scales that form the basis for Indian compositions. The Ragas are named after the time of day or night when they are traditionally played:

-Bhairav (dawn)
-Bhoop (early morning)
-Mand (late morning)
-Puriya_Dhanashree (noon)
-Todi (afternoon)
-Darbari (evening)
-Shree (late night).

There are also other less common Ragas, such as Kafi, Asavari and Mishra Piloo. Each Raga has a specific mood or feeling associated with it, and the choice of Raga will often dictate the mood of a piece of music.

The Different Types of Instruments

There are a variety of instruments used in Indian classical music. The sitar, tabla, and sitar are just a few of the instruments that are used in this type of music. Each instrument has a different sound and purpose. The sitar, for example, is a stringed instrument that is used to create melodies. The tabla is a percussion instrument that is used to create rhythms.

The String Instruments

Indian classical music is based on the usage of various types of musical instruments. The music produced by these instruments is soothing as well as entertaining. Each instrument has a unique identity and role to play in an orchestra. The string instruments are perhaps the most popular and widely used type of instrument in Indian classical music.

The sitar is one of the most popular and widely recognized string instrument from India. It has a long neck and a gourd-shaped body. It is usually made of teak or rosewood and has 20 frets. The sitar is played with a plectrum called mezrab. It is used in both Hindustani and Carnatic music.

The veena is another popular Indian string instrument. It has a pear-shaped body and a long neck with 21 frets. The veena can be classified into two types – the saraswati veena and the rudra veena. The former is used in Carnatic music while the latter is used in Hindustani music.

The tampura or tambura is a drone instrument that provides background support to other melodic instruments like the sitar or veena. It has a gourd-shaped body with 4 or 5 strings stretched across it. The tampura can be played either solo or as part of an orchestra.

The sarangi is a bowed string instrument that originated in India. It has a box-shaped body with 4 strings that are stretched over its lengthwise axis . The sarangi is primarily used in Hindustani music and provides supports to other melody instruments by playing important rhythms known as ‘gat’ .

The Percussion Instruments

Most classical music is based on an instrument called the melodic instrument. The melody is what the music is about and what the audience hears. It’s the tune that you can sing along to. The instrument that plays the melody is usually the one that gets played the most in apiece of music.

The percussion instruments are the backbone of Indian classical music. They provide the rhythmic foundation for the other instruments and voices to follow. The main percussion instruments used in classical music are the tabla and the mridangam.

The tabla is a pair of drums played with the hands. The right hand drum is called the daya and the left hand drum is called the bayan. The daya is played with a small, wooden stick called a tasha and the bayan is played with a larger, leather-covered stick called a ghungroo.

The mridangam is a double-sided barrel-shaped drum played with both hands. It is usually made of wood or clay and has two different kinds of skins stretched over each end. One skin produces a high pitch and the other produces a low pitch.

The Different Types of Singing

There are two main types of singing in Indian Classical Music: Khyal and Dhrupad. Khyal is the more commonly known form of singing, and is known for its expressive and emotive qualities. Dhrupad is the older form of singing, and is known for its more austere and meditative qualities.

Khyal

Khyal is the most common and well-known type of singing in Indian classical music. The word “khyal” comes from the Persian word “khayal”, which means “imagination” or “thought”. Khyal is characterized by its use of intricate ornamentation and flourishes, as well as its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions.

Khyal singers often use a technique called “alamkari”, which involves rapidly alternating between different notes in quick succession. This technique allows them to create intricate patterns and rhythms that would be difficult to perform using other types of singing.

Khyal is typically performed in a style known as “gwaliori khyal”, which originated in the city of Gwalior in central India. Gwaliori khyal is characterized by its use of gamakas, or Ornamental Turns. Gamakas are small melodic phrases that are added on to the main melody, and they usually involve rapid alternations between notes.

Other types of khyal include “bhopali khyal” and “jaipur-Atrauli khyal”. Bhopali khyal is named after the city of Bhopal, and it is characterized by its use of meend, or glide. Meend is a technique in which the singer slides between two notes, rather than simply alternating between them. Jaipur-Atrauli khyal is named after the city of Jaipur and the town of Atrauli, and it is characterized by its use of heavy ornamentation.

Dhrupad

Dhrupad is a form of Hindustani classical music. It is the oldest surviving form of North Indian classical music, and one of the oldest musical traditions in the world. Dhrupad is a very slow and devotional form of music, with a strong emphasis on purity of intonation and extemporization.

The name “dhrupad” comes from the Sanskrit words “dhruva” (immovable) and “pada” (foot). This reflects the music’s emphasis on perfect intonation and a steady, unrushed tempo. Dhrupad is usually performed by four musicians: two vocalists, a percussionist, and a drone player. The vocalists sing in a deep, meditative style, often using only one note at a time. The percussionist accompanies them on a large drum called a pakhawaj, while the drone player provides a constant background drone on either a tambura or harmonium.

Dhrupad first rose to prominence in the 16th century, during the reign of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. It was Akbar’s court musician Tansen who popularized this form of music, and it soon became the preferred style at royal courts across India. In subsequent centuries, dhrupad continued to be patronized by Indian nobility, but its popularity declined amongst the general population. In recent years there has been a revival of interest in dhrupad, both in India and abroad.

Thumri

Thumri is a light classical form of Hindustani music which originated in Uttar Pradesh, India. The Thumri is traditionally sung in a lighter, softer style than other Hindustani classical forms such as the Khayal. Thumris typically use simple phrases from everyday life as their lyrical content, and are generally set to slow-moving or moderate tempo compositions in ragas that convey peaceful, romantic moods. The word “thumri” is derived from the Hindi verb thumakna, which means “to walk with a swinging gait.”

Light classical music forms such as the thumri are sometimes referred to as “semi-classical,” “parlour music,” or “suite music.” While they do not follow the strict rules of Hindustani classical music, they often borrow from its repertoire and incorporate elements of improvisation. The thumri is one of the most popular and well-known light classical forms, and has been performed by many renowned Hindustani vocalists over the years.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the basic structure of Indian classical music is built around the raga, which is a melodic framework that provides both the melody and the harmony for a particular piece. The raga is based on a set of five or more notes, which are then embellished with various ornamental techniques. The use of tala, or rhythmic patterns, provides the framework for both the melodic and percussive elements of the music. improvisation is an important aspect of Indian classical music, and performers often improvise both within the raga framework and within the tala framework.