Classical Music of India Musical traditions date back over 3,000 years –Hindustani: secular, court...

Classical Music of IndiaMusical traditions date back over 3,000 yearsMusical traditions date back over 3,000 years

– Hindustani: secular, court

music from Northern India

(including Pakistan)

– Karnatak: temple music from

South India

- Absorbed many Persian elements due to Muslim Persian rulers

Two main types of classical music

- Developed along its own lines

India

Performers

Music viewed as a spiritual discipline

Oral tradition—study by apprenticeship

India

Improvisation

Very important, sophisticated, and developed

Guided by melodic and rhythmic formula

Must study for years before allowed improvise

Elements of Indian Classical Music

Music is based upon the human voiceMusic is based upon the human voice

Melodies almost always accompanied by a drone

instrument

– Pitch range limited to about four octaves

Highly embellished melody, both vocal and

instrumental, is characteristic

India

Learning Melodic OrganizationLearning Melodic Organization

Moveable Syllables for Pitch NamesMoveable Syllables for Pitch NamesSS sasa CC fixedfixed

RR rere DD

GG gaga EE

MM mama FF

PP papa GG fixedfixed

DD dhadha AA

NN nini BB

Melodic Structure: Raga

Melody exists within a framework called a raga—a defined pattern of notes– Each raga has an ascending and descending form

– The melody “colors the mind”

Raga means “color” or “atmosphere”

Each raga associated with a particular mood

– Also linked with gods, seasons, festivals, and times of day

India

Bhāva: Expression of the Navaras Bhāva: Expression of the Navaras (9 Moods)(9 Moods)

karunakaruna sadness, pathossadness, pathos shingārshingār love, joylove, joy viravira heroism, valorheroism, valor hāsyahāsya laughter, comedylaughter, comedy raudrāraudrā angeranger bhayānakabhayānaka fearfear vibhātsavibhātsa disgustdisgust adbhutaadbhuta surprisesurprise shāntishānti peacepeace

Thaats: Ten Basic ScalesThaats: Ten Basic ScalesNatalie Sarrazin. Natalie Sarrazin. Indian Music for the ClassroomIndian Music for the Classroom, p. 36-, p. 36-

37.37.

Learning Rhythmic OrganizationLearning Rhythmic Organization

Number of BeatsNumber of BeatsSyllables (Jātīs)Syllables (Jātīs) GroupingGrouping

11 tata

22 takataka

33 takitatakita

44 takadimitakadimi

55 taka takitataka takita 2 + 32 + 3

66 taka takadimitaka takadimi 2 + 42 + 4

77 takita takadimitakita takadimi 3 + 43 + 4

88 takita takita takatakita takita taka 3 + 3 + 23 + 3 + 2

99 Taka takita takadimiTaka takita takadimi 2 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 44

Song Text CategoriesSong Text Categories

Devotional texts: Dhrupads and Devotional texts: Dhrupads and BhajansBhajans From Bhakti era, mostly between From Bhakti era, mostly between

1400-17001400-1700 Love Songs, both human and divineLove Songs, both human and divine All remaining songs, including All remaining songs, including

regional songs, film music and songs regional songs, film music and songs of daily activityof daily activity

Listening: Devotional SongListening: Devotional Song

Mirabei (1498-1547), best known poet, ex. CD track Mirabei (1498-1547), best known poet, ex. CD track 1313

Maine lino Govinda mol māyi riMaine lino Govinda mol māyi ri

I have measured the worth Krishna, O my I have measured the worth Krishna, O my sistersister

Koi kahe sasta, koi kahe mahengaKoi kahe sasta, koi kahe mahenga

Some say cheap, others expensive,Some say cheap, others expensive,

Maine lino taraja tol . . .Maine lino taraja tol . . .

I weighed him against pure gold.I weighed him against pure gold.

Koi kahe chori, koi kahe sāniKoi kahe chori, koi kahe sāni

Some say it’s a secret, some say hidden,Some say it’s a secret, some say hidden,

Maine lino bajantā dhola . . .Maine lino bajantā dhola . . .

I proclaim him out loud like a drum.I proclaim him out loud like a drum.

Rhythmic Structure: Tala

Rhythm is organized into blocks or cycles, each

called a tala

– Tala range from 3-100 beats in length

- 6-16 is most common

– Ten-beat tala jhaptal divided 2—3—2—3

|1 2 |3 4 5 |6 7 |8 9 10|

– Ten-beat tala shultal divided 4—2—4

|1 2 3 4 |5 6 |7 8 9 10|

India

InstrumentsVocal music most important in IndiaVocal music most important in India

Many types of instruments– Many instruments associated with specific gods

Sitar most popular chordophone

Drums of many sizes

– Long necked, lute (guitar) like instrument– 7 plucked strings, 9-13 sympathetically vibrating

– Tabla and mridangam drums most common

India

Tabla

Tambura

Ravi Shankar—sitar

India

Listening

Maru-BihagMaru-BihagRavi ShankarRavi Shankar

Listen for:Listen for: RagaRaga and and talatala organization organization

Heavy reliance on stringed instrumentsHeavy reliance on stringed instruments

Extensive improvisationExtensive improvisation

Nonwestern musical formNonwestern musical form

India