Indian Music

Music in India

The Samaveda is known as the cradle of Indian music. The two main genres of Indian classical music are Carnatic music and Hindustani music. The seven tones known as the Saptaswaram are Shadja (Sa), Rishabh (Re), Gandhar (Ga), Madhyam (Ma), Pancham (Pa), Dhaivat (Dha) and Nishada (Ni).

Carnatic music

There are seventy-two basic ragas in Carnatic music. These are known as Melakarta ragas. Venkatamakhi is the founder of the modern Carnatic music system based on basic ragas. Purandaradasan (1484 - 1564) is known as the father of Carnatic music. He established Mayamalavagowla as the basic raga in music studies. Bhupalam, Malayamarutam, Malahari and Gauri are the Carnatic music ragas sung in the morning. Bilahari, Saveri and Devamanohari ragas are sung in the first yama of the day. Madhyamavati, Sarangam and Sri are the ragas sung in the second yama of the day. Hindolam, Kapi and Kanada are the ragas sung in the evening. Shankarabharanam, Kalyani and Nattakurinji are the ragas sung in the evening . Ragas like Panthuvarali, Neelambari and Ananda Bhairavi can be sung at night. Mohanam and Kamboji are Carnatic ragas that are considered to be sung at any time of the day.

The kirtans in Carnatic music were initiated by Tallapaka Annamacharya. Shyama Shastri, Thyagarajan and Muthuswami Dikshitar are the trinity of Carnatic music. Shyama Shastri introduced the musical element Swarajati in Carnatic music. Thyagarajan created ragas like Malayamarutham, Mayuradhvani and Nalina Kanthi. Muthuswami Dikshitar was the first to use the violin in a concert. Thyagarajan is the author of the Pancharatna kirtanas. Ramaswamy Dikshitar is the creator of the Hamsadhwani raga. The Thyagaraja Music Festival is held every year in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu.

Hindustani music

Tansen, who was the chief singer in the court of Emperor Akbar, is said to have caused rain by singing! The story goes that when Tansen sang the Deepak raga, the lamps lit up on their own, and when he sang the Meghamalhar raga, it rained. Hindustani and Carnatic music are two forms of Indian classical music. North India is known as the birthplace of Hindustani music. Tansen, a musical genius, was a member of Emperor Akbar's court. Tansen's real name was Thana Mishra. Swami Haridas was Tansen's guru. The name Tansen was given by King Vikramjit of Gwalior. The Hindustani ragas that Tansen is believed to have created are Miyan ki Todi, Miyan ki Sarang and Miyan ki Malhar. The tambura is a musical instrument commonly used in both Carnatic and Hindustani music.

Musical instruments

Vadyam means musical instrument. Drums are the oldest musical instrument. Bharata Muni, who wrote 'Natyasastra', divided musical instruments into four main categories - Tata Vadya, Avanaddha Vadya, Sushira Vadya and Ghana Vadya. This division is based on the material from which the musical instruments are made how they produce music, etc.

■ Tata Vadya (Stringed Instruments)

Stringed instruments or tatavadyas are musical instruments that use strings to produce sound. These are instruments that work by using the vibration of strings. Veena and tambura are examples of stringed instruments.

■ Avanaddha Vadya (Percussion Instruments)

The Sanskrit word 'avanaddha' means covered or wrapped. Avanaddha instruments are made by tying leather tightly around the open part of a hollow object. Hence, they are also called leather instruments or skin instruments. Examples of percussion instruments include the mizhavu, takil, chenda, maddalam, udukku, thimila, mridangam, daf and edakka.

■ Sushira Vadya (Wind Instruments)

Wind instruments are instruments that produce sound when air passes through holes. They are played using exhaled air. Percussion instruments are also called pipe instruments. Conch, flute and nadaswaram are examples of percussive instruments.

■ Ghana Vadya (Solid/Idiophones)

Ghana instruments are made of clay, wood, metals, etc. Most of the ghana instruments are used mainly for rhythm. In Carnatic music, they are considered as sub-rhythm instruments. The ghana instruments of Kerala include the chengila, ilathalam, kole and onavillu.