Introducing Yourself to Indian Classical Music 11-Demonstrating the Srutis (Microtones) in Indian Classical Music
The videos below demonstrate the use of srutis in Indian music. They illustrate what we have been talking about so far in posts 7,8,9 and 10.
The first video is an explanation of the use of microtones in the Raga Saveri (in the Carnatic system) on the Veena by Pudukottai R.K.Murthy.
Saveri has the “flatter” Rishabham (Ri). Other ragas (like, for example, Mayamalavagoula) have this Ri too, but in Saveri it is produced in such a way that it is even closer to the note Shadjamam (Sa). This is sung in addition to being played on the Veena in this video, making it very easy to understand the microtonal qualities of Saveri’s Ri (sometime referred to as eka-sruti rishabham). There is no need to get lost in the technicalities of terms, just listening to the way the Ri is sung here gives one an idea of how microtones can be produced.
In the videos below srutis are demonstrated on the Sarod, an Indian stringed instrument, by Dr. Praful Kelkar. The vocal aspects are demonstrated by Dr. Sulochana Kelkar. These are examples using Hindustani music (the use of microtones is common both to Carnatic music and Hindustani music).
You may not have the time to see all videos at once. If you watch just one or two, you will get the general idea of what srutis are and how they are used. However, if you do have the time, it is well worth watching them all.
Don’t worry if there are words used that you don’t understand at present.
Hi Uttara, if tone and microtones can extend to infinity, as you’d suggested in the last post, what makes a song by a person ‘in raga’ or ‘in sur’ and what doesn’t?
A raga will have only some of the tones and microtones..
Traditionally it is said that Indian music uses 22 microtones (srutis). There are some who argue against the octave being divided into 12 and then even 22 because microtones can be infinite, but that doesn’t mean infinite ones are used
Not all of the infinite microtones are audible to us anyway
As far as being in sur is concerned, that means staying in pitch-and there will be a separate post on that
Finding one’s sur, basically means finding one’s pitch.
Also, loved the new header. You clicked the pic? It is bright and colourful.
A took the photo. With him around I’ve virtually stopped taking photographs!
nice header ! am adding you to my blogroll. hope thats ok?
of course. The header is part of a photograph my husband took