A Question of Variety; Carnatic or Hindustani Music?
Yesterday, I read somewhere, not for the first time, that somebody preferred Carnatic music to Hindustani music because Carnatic music has more variety. I’m not one to begrudge anyone their preferences, (although I do sometimes idealistically wish everyone would love both and have a “love marriage” like mine). The “lack of variety” in Hindustani music however, is an assessment that is not entirely correct. A lot depends on the ear and on how it has been trained to listen.
The two systems are similar yet different, more importantly, they are performed differently these days.
In a contemporary Carnatic concert one is usually offered a range of different forms, from Varnams, to Ragam Tanam Pallavis and hopefully javalis and padams. Many different ragams are performed. Many speeds of music are visited. Many texts are sung (but not always pronounced correctly).
“Hindustani” is a rather generic term, and covers a lot of different forms and styles. What most people associate with a Hindustani concert is usually a Khayal concert. What tends to happen in Khayal and Dhrupad concerts is that a raga is expanded in great depth. The variety therefore, is expected to come from within the raga. One can spend two hours on Yaman and still not be done.
Second, there are different forms and styles of Hindustani music. Khayal and Dhrupad are the two major forms. Numerous “lighter” forms exist such as Thumri, Kajri, Tappa etc. Now a Dhrupad singer does not usually specialise in Khayal and vice versa. And while a Khayal singer may include a Thumri in a concert, there have always been singers who specialise in Thumri-Dadra and sing nothing else.
Third, a variety of different forms exist in Hindustani music, but not everyone is singing them brilliantly. Also, access to these forms remains limited. I return to my old pet peeve, there is a lot more on the net in terms of quality Carnatic music…
In sum, the variety exists in the North, but differently.
Here is Malini Rajurkar singing a Tappa-Chaal Pehchaani. How a Tappa can be called a “lighter” form given its complexity I fail to see…but anyway.
Shruti: A Listener’s Guide To Hindustani Music
by Sandeep Bagchee
Wish I knew music enough, to understand your post. I would just like to say I enjoy listening to both Hindusthani and Carnatic.
Tell me what you didn’t understand, I’ll try and explain. Glad you like both!
Excellently put and very nicely worded. I agree entirely. Such blanket statements on either side (including “System A” is the world’s most advanced system of music in the whole world is an assessment stemming from their worldview which may not be correct)
Aside: About 10 years back I’d have made statements that Khyal and Dhrupad were ‘styles’ and tappa, thumri, etc more like compositional forms or genres similar to kirtanas, varnas etc. But today I would not. The more one understands the evolution of musical forms – thumris with key note shifts, certain rhythms etc and the more one listens to both forms without “always drawing parallels” but for understanding each system for itself it offers a lot more to us!
Thanks V. Btw just recommended to Anu that she should consult you on insights into some kritis.
I read someone using “style/form” together. I guess that deals with the problem to an extent. I think I prefer “form” if one word is to be chosen. You are absolutely right, understanding each system for itself offers a lot more.
And then
4.There are the various schools (Gharanas).Meticulously preserved over generations , but now under stress , thanks to croos over artists.
5.And There is that celebration of the Present moment .Music which is like the leaping flames of the Agni God , reaching out to the Gods.
HM is a two way street .Yesterday attended a Venkatesh Kumar concert at Narada Gana sabha-Chennai.The house , which was full for the just concluded TN Krishnan concert , emptied into half.Right in front of the artist’s eyes.
and the artist beckoned…
“please remove all those ticketing barriers and let everyone come to the front.I need Eye contact to make my music”
Difference in CM and HM ?-
In HM it takes 2 to Tango .the artist and the audience
How sad that the hall emptied. He is such a wonderful singer.
Really nice post. I also often hear such statements and it annoys me to a great extent.
I think a part of this has to do with what one has been exposed to as well. Since my father is an ardent fan of both kinds of music, I too have developed a liking for both. And with people who have mostly been brought up being exposed to only one kind of music — its purely ignorance that leads them to make such statement.
So glad to make an acquaintance with you!
A lot depends on the ear and on how it has been trained to listen
How True :
Example of a nice Lesson from a Lovely artist.Shakunthala Narasimhan.
An artist who is an A grade artist(for AIR) in both HM and CM , having given National Programs in both HM and CM , on both AIR and Doordarshan.And holding two doctorates in , well , in two non musical subjects.
http://www.mediafire.com/?ndftz4yn0ny
listen to this and let me know if you like to hear more.
I had failed to trace her in two decades until last year .Travelling with her and some other friends for three days for Concerts in Central Karnataka
Uttara
Great post, loved it. I grew up listening to Carnatic, nowadays I spend more time listening to Hindustani.
Many times blank statements like ‘A’ music system is better than ‘B’ usually comes out of ignorance.
Hi Ganesh,
I grew up with Hindustani and now listen to more Carnatic…esp since I am learning it.
With me its the opposite
You’d be surprised how many learned people make the “A is better than B” statement.
Music fans might find these posts of interest. The comparisons are not between HM and CM but between ICM and WM. Comments are very welcome:
An Idiot’s Guide to Music – 1
An Idiot’s Guide to Music – 2
An Idiot’s Guide to Music – 3
Music: An Interview with Arpita Chatterjee
Music: Architecture, Painting, and Wet Clay
They can be accessed at:
http://thesouthasianidea.wordpress.com/#Reflections
I enjoy listening to both Hindustani and Carnatic music, though I have heard more Hindustani.
Both are so different, so varied and so rich.
Rajurkar’s Chaal Pehchaani comes across as really powerful.
Such a shame about the Venkatesh Kumar concert. I enjoy his singing.