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"Basic of Music"
The term "Indian Classical Music" refers to two
related, but distinct, traditions rooted in antiquity. Both are very much
alive in India today. The North Indian style is known as "Hindustani",
while the South Indian tradition is referred to as "Carnatic". This page
deals mainly with Hindustani Classical Music, about which I know a little
bit. While I also appreciate Carnatic music, I do so as an outsider.
What is Hindustani Classical Music? Like any kind of music, it is hard
to say in a few words. But let me try, in case the reader is totally
unfamiliar with this music.
The basic scale of Hindustani music is similar to the western 12-note
scale. The main difference is that the Hindustani scale is not tempered.
Thus, the intervals between consecutive notes are not equal. Indeed, they
can be varied slightly to suit the particular raga that is being
performed. The same note, in different ragas, may have slightly differing
positions. The notes themselves have names as in Western music, and here
they are:
| Hindustani: |
Sa |
Re |
Ga |
Ma |
Pa |
Dha |
Ni |
| Western: |
Do |
Re |
Mi |
Fa |
So |
La |
Si |
These seven notes are like the white keys on a piano keyboard.
There are intervals between them: to be precise, there are five
intermediate notes. The one between Sa and Re is called "Komal Re" (like
Re flat), between Re and Ga is "Komal Ga" (like Mi flat), between Pa and
Dha is "Komal Dha" (like La flat), and between Dha and Ni is "Komal Ni"
(like Si flat). That accounts for four notes. The fifth lies between Ma
and Pa but it is called "Tivra Ma", like Fa sharp.
| Sa |
Komal Re |
Re |
Komal Ga |
Ga |
Ma |
Tivra Ma |
Pa |
Komal Dha |
Dha |
Komal Ni |
Ni |
The four notes marked "Komal" and the one marked "Tivra"
correspond to the black notes on a piano keyboard.
What, then, is a Raga? It is most simply described as a subset of these
notes, usually from five to eight notes, together with a set of rules to
combine them effectively and create a particular mood. Each Raga has a
name. It also has a character, which can be devotional, erotic, bold and
valorous, or tragic, to name some examples. And a Raga usually comes with
a time of day when it is best performed, usually specified as a 3 hour
interval (6 AM to 9 AM, 9 AM to noon, etc.). Some Ragas are related to
seasons, for example the Malhar ragas are performed mainly in the monsoon
season, and then they can be sung at any time.
Given a Raga, there exist several compositions, more or less like songs
(with words), which obey the rules of that Raga and effectively convey its
mood. It is common for the words to assist in conveying the mood. For
example, monsoon-related Ragas will have compositions that describe the
gathering clouds, the falling raindrops, the lightning and thunder, and
the accompanying erotic mood (if you've never been to India you may wonder
about this one, but it is so). A vocal musician will sing the notes of the
raga in various combinations, then recite the composition and perform
variations on it, often switching to a faster composition after some time.
The whole thing can last an hour, or even two, and it is never monotonous
because different types of variations are introduced at different stages.
The success of the performance depends on how effectively the musician
builds up the desired mood. Some Ragas are considered "light" in that they
have less richness of structure, and are performed for shorter durations
like 10-15 minutes.
That's more or less all I have to say about it here, but in practice
this music is too fantastic for words, and needs to be experienced. For me
personally, this music has gone a long way towards opening up the sublime
aspects of the world we live in.
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