Music of India

Map of South Asia India dominates South Asia demographically, politically and economically. North India and South India are culturally quite different from one another. Why? North- Hindustani culture South- Carnatic culture

Kathak Dance video Let’s begin by just appreciating some Classical North Indian music and dance. Kathak dance consists of two styles: abhinaya (mimed dance) and nritta (abstract dance). The name kathak means “story.” Watch the video link above in the header. What sounds are you hearing? Can you tell the difference as the dancer shifts between the two styles? abhinaya nritta

Indian History video Where was the Harappan civilization and when did it flourish? North India/Pakistan border…..peaked around 2000BC Aryan-speaking invaders from the North drastically altered Harappan cultural practices. What are the Vedas? Ancient Vedic language is tonal What are varnas? Who are the Brahmins? What is the Natyasastra? When was it written and in what language?

Listening Activity: Vedic Chant Listen to “Vedic Chant” found in the India Audio File. Sounds: What are you hearing? Male vocal chanting in the tonal Vedic language. Behaviors: This is a form of prayer, passed down from father to son within the highest Brahmin caste, or varna, in Hinduism. Conceptions or Ideas: It is believed that the basis for melodic composition in Indian culture is derived from the Vedic tradition.

History Dravidian speakers in the South adopted Vedic practices of Aryan-speakers in the North such as the Vedas, Sanskrit and Varnas, but also retained regional languages and practices. The spread of Islam,13th Century. Persians and Turks from the North brought a new religion and new cultural practices. Islamic dominance in the North after the 13th century created a larger cultural gap between North and South.

Music and Transmission video North India: Hindustani culture Islam dominates, Outside influences How is music transmitted differently in North India and South India? Muslim North: Lineage of Master-Pupil, exclusivity and secrecy, music is secular. Music can be overly emotional, musicians are typically seen as lower- class. Tansen- the model Hindustani composer and Court musician. Tansen

Music and Transmission South India: Carnatic culture Hinduism dominates, regional influences Hindu South: Teacher-Disciple, open access to repertoire, music is sacred Music as religious ritual, and musicians are highly regarded, unlike in the North Tyagaraja- the model Carnatic composer and Temple musician. Tyagaraja

Music and Transmission video How are musicians viewed differently in Hindu and Muslim societies? Who were the Devadasis? How are they viewed in Hindu society? Unlike classical dance traditions, devadasis (temple dancers) are essentially temple slaves that are sold to the temples as young children. Devadasi with Musicians

Hindustani and Carnatic Systems Raga (Ragam) The system of rules for melodic composition in Indian music. Tala (Talam) The rhythmic cycles in Indian music. Alap (Alapanam) An improvisational introductory section in free-rhythmthat introduces the listener to the raga. The alap is complete once the tala is introduced. Mircotonal: Indian ragas have 22-step octaves. The 3 major musical contrasts between North and South: Hindustani: Improvised, Instrumental, Secular Carnatic: Composed, Vocal, Sacred

Instruments: Chordophones video Sitar (Hindustani) long-necked plucked lute body made from a gourd 7 melodic strings 12 sympathetic strings movable frets The sitar is known for its extremely rich and sweet texture.

Instruments: Chordophones video Sarod (Hindustani) fretless plucked lute 18 -19 total strings: 4-5 main melodic strings 1-2 drone strings 10-12 sympathetic strings Derived from an Afghani instrument The sarod is known for its deep, weighty, and introspective sound.

Instruments: Chordophones Tambura fretless round-bodied lute provides the “drone” element in classical Indian music. four strings, open tuning The four pitches of the tambura emphasize the most important pitches of the raga, the fundamental (I) and a fifth above (V)

Instruments: Membranophones video Tabla (Hindustani) The tabla is tuned to key pitches of whatever raga is being used. Intricate drum language, called bols, help the instrumentalist transmit and learn rhythmic passages.

Instruments: Aerophones Bansuri end-blown bamboo flute simple construction, but sophisticated and difficult playing technique associated with the Hindu god Krishna Particularly in the South, the bansuri is connected with dance and temple music.

Listening Activity: Hindustani Alap Listen to “Hindustani Alap” found in the India Audio File. Sounds: What sounds are you hearing? The drone instrument is called tambura and the melody is being played by the bansuri. Behaviors: This is the alap section of Hindustani musical performance where the musicians explore the mode, or raga, in free rhythm. Conceptions or Ideas: This section of music is meant to introduce the mode, or raga, to the listeners and set the mood of the performance.

Hindustani Music video Laya- tempo Jor- introduction of pulse Jhala- rhythmic activity on drone strings of the sitar Gat- short composed melodies Tora- intricate improvisation Gat-Tora The section of Hindustani instrumental performance that alternates between short composed melodies and intricate improvisational passages. ragamala

Listening Activity: Hindustani Gat-Tora Listen to “Hindustani Gat-Tora” found in the India Audio File. Follow the Listening Guide in your book as you listen. Sounds: Primary chordophone is the sitar, the membranophone is the tabla and the tambura is also present providing a drone effect Behaviors: After an alap section, the gat-tora alternates between short composed melodies and intricate improvisational passages. Conceptions or Ideas: The gat-tora section of Hindustani musical performance is meant to entertain and express emotional content surrounding a particular mode, or raga.

Instruments: Chordophones Violin fretless bowed lute introduced by British Colonists, but now completely assimilated into Indian culture. Carnatic- vocal accompaniment/ imitates vocal repertoire Hindustani- solo instrument

Instruments: Membranophones Mridangam (Carnatic) single barrel-shaped drum having two heads tuned to key pitches With the development of the mridangam came the evolution of the tala system, the most intricate and complicated rhythmic system in the world.

Instruments: Chordophones Vina (Carnatic) plucked lute from South India, often associated with the Hindu goddess Sarasvati. up to 9 melodic strings fixed frets, deep scallops no sympathetic strings

Instruments: Aerophones Harmonium free-reed pump organ introduced by Christian missionaries and incorporated into Indian vocal music can either provide a drone or lead the melody

Carnatic Music: Kriti video Vocal music is especially important in South India. Melodies are primarily fixed, though improvisation exists Instrumental music is based on vocal repertoire High skill level required of vocalists Kriti, the major Carnatic song form, has 3 sections: alapanam (intro) pallavi, anupallavi, caranam Two types of improvisation: niraval and svarakalpana

Listening Activity: Carnatic Kriti Listen to “Carnatic Kriti” found in the India Audio File. Follow the Listening Guide in your book as you listen. Sounds: The voice is of utmost importance. The chordophone imitating the voice is the violin, the membranophone is the ancient mridangam, and there is a tambura providing a drone effect. Behaviors: This is devotional music used for praying to different Hindu dieties. Listen for the improvisation in the third section (caranam) Conceptions or Ideas: Beginning with the tradition of Vedic chanting, vocal music has always been an integral part of Hindu prayer.

The Influence of Indian Music Hindustani music is an important part of musical life in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Hindustani and Carnatic music is played in Sri Lanka. What effect do immigrants from India and these other areas have on music in Europe and the United States? Western pop and jazz music fusion in India and abroad.

Popular Music: Ghazal video A well loved form of reciting romantic Urdu Poetry. Poetry reading sessions are called mushaira Ghazal may also be sung by singers with considerable classical training. These songs and song-forms have an important place in filmigit or “Bollywood” tunes. Popular ghazal combines elements of Western harmony and synthesized instrumentation. Watch the Ghazal video clip (link top right) of the most popular singer of this genre named Jaswinder Singh.

Listening Activity: Ghazal Listen to “Ghazal” found in the India Audio File. Follow the Listening Guide in your book as you listen. Sounds: The voice is the most important element, following and imitating the voice is an aerophone called a harmonium, the membranophone is the tabla and a tambura is also present. Behaviors: This is a popular genre of music meant for entertainment as well as emotional connections Conceptions or Ideas: Based on romantic Urdu poetry, Ghazal tells tales of love and loss.

Popular Music: Bhangra video Pop music of the South Asian Diaspora (Indo-British) combining aspects of hip-hop and trance with traditional folk dance music from the state of Punjab. What effect does Bhangra have on Punjabi communities in the UK? Positive or negative? Listen to the “Bhangra” Audio Example found in the India Audio File.

Filmi Git Bollywood film songs What is ironic about women performing in films? Filmi Git are mainly influenced by Western pop music, though they sound more “Indian” than “Western.” What are playback singers? Who is Lata Mangeshkar? What effect do popular film songs have on traditional music and dance forms throughout India and South Asia? Positive or Negative? Listen to the “Bollywood” Audio Example found in the India Audio File. Video clip 1 Video clip 2