MUSIC OF INDIAMUSIC OF INDIA

Indian music is based on traditional airs that Indian music is based on traditional airs that are religious in origin. The Vedic chant that are religious in origin. The Vedic chant that came from sacred literature of Arians that came from sacred literature of Arians that was written in 100 B.C. consists of four was written in 100 B.C. consists of four books known as Vedas believed to be books known as Vedas believed to be created by the goddess of knowledge. This created by the goddess of knowledge. This is accompanied with string instruments and is accompanied with string instruments and drums. At times, dances and appropriate drums. At times, dances and appropriate movements are used to depict the meaning movements are used to depict the meaning of the text. They believe that these have the of the text. They believe that these have the power to melt stones, create fire, rain and power to melt stones, create fire, rain and cure sick. Giving emphasis to the mood of cure sick. Giving emphasis to the mood of particular period of time is the goal of music.particular period of time is the goal of music.

Activity # 1Activity # 1

Fill in the blanks with the correct answer.Fill in the blanks with the correct answer.

1.1. It is believed that music has the _______ to It is believed that music has the _______ to melt stones, create fire and rain or cure sick.melt stones, create fire and rain or cure sick.

2.2.The music of India is the _______ in Asia.The music of India is the _______ in Asia.

3.3. The _______is known as the principal tone.The _______is known as the principal tone.

4.4.A specific arrangement of tones is known as A specific arrangement of tones is known as ________.________.

5.5.The _______consists of shrutis The _______consists of shrutis ( are the books ( are the books of authority for Hindus)of authority for Hindus)

SangeetSangeet

The basis for Indian musicThe basis for Indian music

is "sangeet".  Sangeet  is a combination of three artis "sangeet".  Sangeet  is a combination of three art

forms: vocal music, instrumentalmusic and dance.  forms: vocal music, instrumentalmusic and dance. 

Although these three art forms were originally Although these three art forms were originally derivedderived

from the single field of stagecraft.  Today thesefrom the single field of stagecraft.  Today these

three forms have differentiated into complex andthree forms have differentiated into complex and

highly refined individual art forms. highly refined individual art forms.

MUSICAL SCALEMUSICAL SCALERagaRaga- is a specific arrangement of tones.- is a specific arrangement of tones.

SASA RERE GAGA MAMA DA DHA DA DHA TI TI

DoDo re re mi mi fafa sol sol la la ti ti

11 22 33 44 55 66 77

The are seven fundamental tones. The are seven fundamental tones.

The 1The 1stst and 5 and 5thth tones are used as pitch tones are used as pitch centers and is not altered with a # or b. centers and is not altered with a # or b. The 4The 4thth tone can be raised and the tone can be raised and the 2,3,6,7, lowered.2,3,6,7, lowered.

2 important tones2 important tones

vadi or principal tonevadi or principal tone VadiVadi, in both Hindustani classical music and , in both Hindustani classical music and

Carnatic music, is the dominant , is the dominant swara (musical (musical note) of a given note) of a given raga (musical scale). "Vadi is the (musical scale). "Vadi is the most sonant or most important note of a Raga."most sonant or most important note of a Raga."[1] It does not refer to the most played note but it It does not refer to the most played note but it rather refers to a note of special significance. It is rather refers to a note of special significance. It is usually the swara which is repeated the greatest usually the swara which is repeated the greatest number of times, and often it is the swara on number of times, and often it is the swara on which the singer can pause for a significant time.which the singer can pause for a significant time.

VadiVadi swara, along with the swara, along with the Samvadi swara of a raga, usually brings out swara of a raga, usually brings out the uniqueness of the raga and its the uniqueness of the raga and its bhava (mood) and bhava (mood) and rasa (emotion). (emotion).

Samvadi- secondary principal Samvadi- secondary principal tonetone

A A samvadisamvadi is a note of special is a note of special significance. A performer will significance. A performer will typically try to emphasize the typically try to emphasize the samvadisamvadi along with the along with the vadi when when improvising on a certain raga. improvising on a certain raga.

Traditional Music of Traditional Music of IndiaIndia

Hindustani Hindustani means means classical music classical music of North Indiaof North India

Carnatic Carnatic means means classical music classical music of South Indiaof South India

Traditional Elements Traditional Elements of Indian Musicof Indian Music

Melody Melody (raga)(raga)

Drone Drone (harmony)(harmony)

Rhythm Rhythm (tala)(tala)

Rhythm/TalaRhythm/Tala

RhythmBoth traditions share one of the most complex rhythmic systems in the world. The Indian word for rhythm is TALA.

Rhythm in Indian music performs the function Rhythm in Indian music performs the function of a time counter. A taal is a rhythmic cycle of of a time counter. A taal is a rhythmic cycle of beats with an ebb and flow of various types of beats with an ebb and flow of various types of intonations resounded on a percussive intonations resounded on a percussive instrument. Each such pattern has its own instrument. Each such pattern has its own name.name.

Melody/RagaMelody/RagaCompositions are based on 72 types of scales, many of them similar. The Indian word for scale/melody is RAGA. The literal translation of the word Raga is "that which colors the mind." The raga is much more than a scale;it is both a technical collection of notes and can depict aesthetic qualities such as emotions, colors, deities, seasons, time of day, festival events, and can also convey magical properties.

Drone/Harmony Drone/Harmony

When you listen to the sound of the When you listen to the sound of the string of India, you will hear a distinct string of India, you will hear a distinct harmony throughout the composition.harmony throughout the composition.

What is the importance of drone in Indian What is the importance of drone in Indian music? music? It provides the tonal anchor of It provides the tonal anchor of the melody and it gives unity to the the melody and it gives unity to the composition. composition. The instrument which The instrument which performs this function is the performs this function is the tamburatambura

Indian InstrumentsIndian Instruments

StringStringWindWindPercussioPercussionn

Selected Instruments & Their Classifications

North/HindustaniPercussion - Rhythmic layer

tablatabla - pair of drums - pair of drums

Strings - Melodic layersitar (guitar-type)sarod (guitar-type)

Winds- Melodic Layerbansuri (bamboo flute)shennai (oboe-like)

South/KarnaticSouth/Karnatic

Percussion - Rhythmic layer

mridangam – conical double mridangam – conical double headed headed

drumdrum

Strings - Melodic layervina vina (guitar-type)

violinviolin (western violin)

Karnatic Inst. (cont.)

Winds- Melodic Layer

nagasvaramnagasvaram (long oboe-like inst.)

SaxophoneSaxophone (western sax)

Vocal - Melodic Layer