Introduction to Indian Classical Music
There are many introductions to Indian Classical Music, and this is just one ongoing attempt by a passionate listener and student. I have liberally borrowed from the work of others (duly credited).
I have always found that referring to more than one source helps me to understand Indian music better (everyone has their own take on it) and recommend that you do the same.
This introduction attempts to talk both of the Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian) forms of Indian music, both of which are forms of raga music, though there are substantial differences in the way they are performed. There are different forms and styles within these traditions as well, and it would be impossible to do them all full justice here.
For the moment, I am focussing on vocal music though I have some posts on instruments.
Please give me your feedback and corrections. These posts are constantly edited and I keep adding clips as I find them.
Instruments:
1. T is for Tanpura not Sitar; it’s Good to Know the Difference The Tanpura or Tambura is the “backbone instrument” of Indian music, and this post is also recommended to those who are interested in vocal music.
2. S is for Sitar and Surbahar
Getting Usedto the Sound of Vocal Music:
1. Indian Classical Music 1-Voices
2. Indian Classical Music 2-Voices
3. Indian Classical Music 3-Voices
4. Indian Classical Music 4-Voices
5. Indian Classical Music 5-Voices
6. Indian Classical Music 6-Voices
Swaras (Notes/Tones):
1.. Indian Classical Music 7-Seven Notes: the Saptaswaras or Saptak and What Lies in Between
2. Indian Classical Music 8-The Saptaswaras or Saptak and What Lies in Between
3. Indian Classical Music 9-The Saptaswaras or Saptak and What Lies in Between
4. Indian Classical Music 10-The Saptaswaras or Saptak and What Lies in Between
5. Indian Classical Music 11-Demonstrating the Srutis (Microtones) in Indian Classical Music
6. Indian Classical Music 12-The Saptaswaras in the South- the Carnatic notes
7. Sa and Pa not always fixed?
Shruti, Swar, Sur or Pitch:
1. Indian Classical Music 13-What’s your frequency? The Tanpura/Tambura and finding your Sur, Shruti or Pitch
2.Indian Classical Music 14: More on Sur/Shruti or Pitch
3.Indian Classical Music 15: Bhajan Break
Raga:
Indian Music; The Magic of the Raga
1. What is a Raga (1)?
2. What is a Raga (2)?
3. What is a Raga (3)- Aaroh/Avroh or Aarohana and Avarohana (Ascending and Descending Note Sequences)
4. What is a Raga (4)-Raga Jati
5. What is a Raga (5): Similar Aarohana and Avarohana-Different Ragas
6. What is a Raga (6)?: Aaroh and Avroh-Some Caution
7. What is a Raga (7)?: The Pakad or the “Grip” of a Raga
8. What is a Raga (8)?: The Chalan (characteristic phrases) of a Raga
Popular Ragas for the Beginner Ear (these posts provide a lot os listening samples and can be read without reading the “What is a Raga” series above):
1. Raga Durga
Compositional Forms in Indian Music:
The Abhang-The Unbroken Song:
1. The Abhang or Abhanga-1
2. The Abhang 2- Sawale sundara, The Dark, Beautiful One
3. The Abhang 3-Come O Vitthal for the love of your bhakta
4. The Abhang 4: A man is only as chaste as his own belief
5.The Abhang 5-My Tongue, Learn to Chant His Name
I have studied classical music .As abigginer i want know more what to do?
This series is so brilliant, Uttara! I keep referring it to people who want to know a bit more about Indian classical music. And I keep coming back to it myself! Just a few minutes ago, I referred another friend to it. What I really like about the series is that it has not got sidetracked by the details and technicalities that abound in ICM. For someone who merely wants to listen with a little more appreciation, the academics of it can be quite a dampener.
Keep it going, and good luck!
Thanks very much Varali, that’s so encouraging to hear. I need to get back to writing it, but it needs some dedicated concentration and effort and don’t have the time at the moment. Hope to continue and finish it as intended at some point.
Thanks Uttara for providing this wonderful platform to understand Hindustani music. It would be great to see you write more about Hindustani music. There are many sites out there that explain them but they all seem to miss the heartfelt love for music. So it is just a nice feeling to read your write-up that oozes with not just beauty for this form of art but most importantly love.
Thanks very much Rashmy. I want this to be an intro to both Hindustani and Carnatic, you may have noticed I have been referring to them together…I do have posts in the drafts and do intend to complete the series, but having just had a baby and trying to do a PhD at the same time, I use all spare time to sleep!