Concept in Indian Classical Music Crossword Clue

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Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

The answer to the “Concept in Indian Classical Music” crossword clue is RAGA. This clue was last seen on November 26 2020 Universal Crossword Puzzle.

Introduction

India has a long and rich tradition of classical music, which can be traced back to the Vedic period. Classical music is characterized by its use of specific melodic and rhythmic patterns, as well as specific instrumentation. It is often performed in ensembles, with each musician playing an intricate role in the overall sound.

There are two main types of Indian classical music: Carnatic and Hindustani. Carnatic music is more commonly associated with the southern part of India, while Hindustani music is more commonly associated with the northern part of India. Both styles share many common features, but there are also some important differences between them.

Carnatic music is generally more complex and technical than Hindustani music, and it places a greater emphasis on melody over rhythm. Carnatic musicians often use improvisation to create new variations on established melodic patterns, while Hindustani musicians often emphasize the role of the drone in providing a constant harmonic backdrop against which the other instruments can play.

One of the most important things to remember about Indian classical music is that it is not intended to be simply entertainment; it is meant to be an experience that can take the listener on a journey inward, toward self-awareness and understanding.

What is Indian Classical Music?

Indian classical music is a genre of South Asian music. It has two main components: Hindustani music, which developed in North India, and Carnatic music, which developed in the South. Indian classical music is based on the concept of raga, which is a melodic mode used for improvisation. The most important element of Indian classical music is the voice, which is used to create melodies. instruments such as the sitar and tabla are used to accompany the singer.

The Concept of Raga

The concept of Raga in Indian Classical Music is said to have originated from the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. The word “raga” is derived from the Sanskrit word “ranj,” meaning “to color or to stain.” In the Vedic times, music was used as a means of worship and was an integral part of religious rites. The concept of raga was further developed by the great Indian musicians and philosophers like Bharata Muni, Matanga Muni, and Sarangadeva.

Raga is not simply a melodic mode or a scale like the Western major or minor scales; it is much more than that. It is a melody that is based on a certain scale, but it has its own distinctive character and flavor. A raga can be thought of as a musical recipe, containing a list of ingredients (notes) which, when combined in a certain way, produce a particular Musical result. The ingredients (notes) in a raga can be compared to the ingredients in a curry; if even one ingredient is missing or out of proportion, the curry will not taste the same. Similarly, if even one note in a raga is missing or out-of-proportion, the whole character of the raga will be changed.

There are said to be 10 basic types of ragas in Indian Classical music, which are further subdivided into numerous sub-categories. Each raga has its own unique melodic contour and melodic motifs (phrases). The choice of notes (swaras), their order (aroha and avaroha), their duration (time value), and their emphasis (stress) all contribute to the overall flavor of the raga.

The Concept of Tala

In Indian classical music, tala (ताला) is the name given to a repeating pattern of beats that serves as the rhythmic framework for a composition. The concept of tala forms the basis for Indian rhythmic concepts such as laya (tempo) and raga (melodic scale or mode). A specific tala performed in different ways serves to accompany various forms of dance and music. Tala also provides the framework for improvisation.

The Concept of Swara

In Indian classical music, a swara is a musical note of definite pitch. The term is derived from the Sanskrit word for “sound, tone, Oracle”. It has also been variously referred to as shadja-panchama-svarita (the “notes [ ]”), or simply panchama (“the fifth [note]”). Each swara has a specific pitch, duration and tonal character.

There are twelve notes in Indian classical music, which are divided into seven notes (shadja, rishabha, gandhara, madhyama, panchama, dhaivata and nishada), each with a two-octave range; and five notes (kasra, chatushruti rishabha, shuddha madhyama and shuddha dhaivata), each with a one-octave range. The character of each note also changes depending on its place in the octave.

The concept of swara is central to Indian classical music theory, and enables the musician to improvise within the framework of prescribed melodic modes (ragas). The twelve swaras are:

Conclusion

In Indian classical music, a raag is a melodic framework for improvisation akin to a Western tonal scale. Each raag has its own unique melody and musical form, which need to be adhered to when performing or composing in that raag. While the melodic framework of a raag provides the musician with a structure for improvisation, the compositions set to each raag provide an additional level of pre-composed material to draw from when performing. In addition to the main body of classical compositions, there exists a vast repertoire of film songs, ghazals, and other popular genres that make use of Raags.

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