Indian Classical

Dance & Music

L/O/G/O
SHUBHAM SINGH

09/22/2021
Basic Understanding
Three important terms of Music:
1. Swar.
2. Raag.
3. Taal.

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Raag:
raga is an array of melodic structures with musical
motifs, considered in the Indian tradition to have
the ability to "colour the mind" and affect the
emotions of the audience.
Thus, Raag express some feelings and mood.

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Swar
Are musical notes like sa,re,ga, ma.

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Taal:
Tempo of the song or rhythm of music.

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Basic Understanding
Evolution of Indian Music:
• Natyasastra of Bharata which is supposed to
have been written sometime between 2nd
century B.C and 2nd century A.D is a landmark
in the history of Indian music.
• It has several chapters that have formed the
basis for the development of Indian music.

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Early work on Indian Music which laid foundation:

Earliest Indian music Sama Veda Slokas were put to music

Earliest text dealing exclusively with performing

Bharata Muni Natyashashtra
arts

Jayadeva Gita Govinda Depicts love of Radha and Krishna (Orissa)

Matanga Brihaddesi Ragas were 1st named & discussed

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Classification of Indian Music:
• Indian music was more or less uniform till
the 13th century but later bifurcated into
two musical systems:
1. The Hindustani music.
2. The Carnatic music.

Carnatic music prevalent in South India and

the Hindustani classical music in the North
India.

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Hindustani Music:
• Before 13th Century, there was only one classical music in
India.
• Post 13th Century the Classical Music has been separated into
two different styles.
• In North India, Persian and Mughal influence began creating
its place very intensely with Amir Khusro.
• The Hindustani music has elements of ancient Hindu
tradition, Vedic philosophy and Persian tradition as well.
• It is based on Raga system. The Raga is a melodic scale
comprising of basic seven notes.
• Hindustani Music is vocal-centric. The major vocal forms
associated with Hindustani classical music are the khayal,
Ghazal, dhrupad, dhammar, tarana and thumri.
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Carnatic Music
• Carnatic Music was evolved mainly by Shyama
Shastri, Tyagraja, Muthuswamy Dikshitar, and Saint
Purandardas.

• The present form of Carnatic music evolved during

the 18th century.

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Origin of Both Schools:
• Carnatic Music originated in the Bhakti movement,
while Hindustani music originated during the Vedic
period.
• Therefore both have a great link with religion.
• Both the music developed with Sanskrit language
scripts in itself and through Vedic traditions.

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Major areas of difference:

Areas of  differences Carnatic Hindustani

Ragas 72 ragas 6 major ragas

Instruments Veena, Mridangam and Mandolin Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar and Santoor

Influence Indigenous Afghan Persian and Arab

Only one particular prescribed

Sub-styles Several substyles
style of singing

Scope to do variations and

Freedom No freedom to improvise
improvise
Vocal and instruments Both have equal importance More importance to vocal

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Points to remember:
1. Hindustani is older than Carnatic.
2. Carnatic is indigenous.
3. Hindustani have more variation.
4. Hindustani is more flexible unlike Carnatic.
5. Hindustani have influence of Persian and Arabic music.
6. Hindustani is more vocal, while Carnatic is vocal as well
as Instrumental.

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Hindustani Music: Dhrupad.
• It is one of the oldest and grandest forms of Hindustani
music.
• Dhrupad consolidated its position as a classical music form in
the 13th century but reached its zenith during the period of
Emperor Akbar.
• He employed and patronised best-known dhrupad singers like
Baba Gopal Das, Swami Haridas and Tansen.
• Tansen was one among the nine jewels of Akbar s court.
• Dhrupad became a major form of singing in the medieval
period but fell in a state of decline in the 18th century.

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Dhrupad.
• The nature of Dhrupad music is spiritual.
• It does not seek to entertain, but to induce feelings of peace
and spirituality in the listener.
• It is primarily a form of worship, in which offerings are made
to the divine through sound or Nada.
• Dhrupad was initially sung only in the temples, the singer
facing the Lord.
• From this early chanting, Dhrupad evolved into a
sophisticated classical form of music.
• One significant characteristic of Dhrupad is the emphasis on
maintaining purity of the Raga.
• The language of Dhrupad changed from Sanskrit to Brij
Bhasha some time between the 12th and the 16th century.
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Khayal:
• The origin of this style can be traced to Amir Khusro.
• This style is popular among the singers as it offers greater
scope for improvisation.
• The usual theme of Khayal is romantic in nature. 
• The dhrupad style of music was replaced by the romantic
khayal.
• Khayal is a Persian term which means imagination.

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Dhrupad Vs Khayal:

Dhrupad Khayal
Older in Origin Younger in origin
Primarily romantic , purpose
Primarily spiritual , purpose worship
-entertainment
Uses Sanskrit Syllables in Alap Alap may or may not be in Sanskrit
Flexible but still Rāga purity is paid
Special attention to purity of Rāga
attention

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Hindustani Music:
Thumri
• The compositions in this style are either romantic or
devotional.
• It is based on mixed ragas and is considered as semi-
classical Indian music.
• This style was inspired by the Bhakti movement. The
compositions are usually sung in a female voice.
• It is characterised by inherent sensuality and this
differentiates this style from the others.
• The important Gharanas of Thumri are Banaras and
Lucknow.
• Begum Akhtar is said to be the greatest proponents of
this style.
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Hindustani Music:
Thumri
• Thumri originated in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh.
• Its most distinct feature is the erotic subject matter
portraying the various episodes from the lives of lord
Krishna and radha.

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Hindustani Music:
Tappa:
• This is a distinct style having its origin in the Punjab.
• Its beauty lies in the quick and intricate display of various
permutations and combinations of notes.
• It is strange that even though the Tappa lyrics are in
Punjabi, Tappa is not sung in the Punjab.

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Hindustani Music:
Tarana
• In this style, rhythm plays a crucial role.
• It is sung in a fast tempo and singers need specialised
skills in rhythmic manipulation.
• It usually consists of main melody, short, repeated short
times with variation and elaboration at the
performer’s discretion.

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Hindustani Music:
Ghazals:
• The ghazal originated in Iran in the 10th Century AD.
• It grew out of the Persian qasida, a poem written in
praise of a king, a benefactor or a nobleman. 
• Even though ghazal began with Amir Khusro in northern
India, Deccan in the south was its home in the early
stages.
• It developed and evolved in the courts of Golconda and
Bijapur under the patronage of Muslim rulers.
• The 18th and 19th centuries are regarded as the golden
period of the ghazal with Delhi and Lucknow being its
main centres.

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Hindustani Music:
Ghazals:
• Ghazal was spread into South Asia by the influence
of Sufi mystics and the courts of the Islamic
sultanate but reached its zenith during the
Mughal period.
• Amir Khusro is said to be one of the first
expounders of the ghazal.
• Ghazals from the Indian sub-continent have an
influence of Islamic Mysticism.
• Important Ghazal singers are Ghulam Ali, Pankaj
Udhas, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, etc.

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Hindustani Music:
Dhamar-Hori
• These compositions are similar to Dhrupad but are chiefly
associated with the festival of Here the compositions are
specifically in praise of Lord Krishna.
• This music, sung in the dhamar tala, is chiefly used in
festivals like Janmashthami, Ramnavami and Holi.
• Hori is a type of dhrupad sung on the festival of Holi.
• The compositions here describe the spring season.
• These compositions are mainly based on the love pranks
of Radha-Krishna.

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Thank You!

L/O/G/O
www.themegallery.com

09/22/2021