Listeners Guide to Indian Classical Music: You would require little more effort than an open ear to acquire the taste of Indian classical music. We are trying to accumulate related information and tools to help you to start your journey as a listener.
Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Quest and the Lure
The Quest
How to Listen
The Uniqueness
The Call of the Swara Learning the Art
The Alchemy of Music
The World of the Raga
Talathe Throb of the Raga
Hindustani and Carnatic Music
Reaching Out
[ Listeners guide to Indian Classical Music ]
Hindustani Music
The Language of Hindustani Music
Descriptions of the Scale
Raga its Elaboration and Growth
The Techniques and Graces
Tala – the Pulse of the Raga
Styles and Forms
Gharanas or Schools of Music
Musical Instruments.
A Hindustani Music Concert Some Basic and Deeper Concepts
The Meaning of Improvisation
[ Listeners guide to Indian Classical Music ]
Carnatic Music
The Language of Carnatic Music
The Indian mind always tries to trace a mythological origin for every aspect of the study. Religion and philosophy have been a part of daily existence. It does not mean, however, that it was unmindful of systems and analysis.
If music was elevated to be the fifth Veda, the Gandharva Veda, the consistent application of the principles of physics and mathematics created a scientific and an enduring system of music. Music occupied a high place among the arts. At the same time, every concept of music and its various elements were methodically analyzed and clearly and scientifically defined.
Till the advent of the Mughals, there was one system of music throughout India. The Moghal Empire and its widespread power had a direct bearing on the socio-cultural life in the northern parts of India, heavily influencing music also. This caused the bifurcation of hitherto one Indian music into Hindustani Sangit and Karnataka Sangitam.
The Karnataka Sangitam, more commonly referred to as Carnatic music today, is the old continuing tradition of the ancient Indian Music, of course, with its natural dynamic transformations as a part of its growth. The basis of the ancient heritage has remained intact, passed on mainly through an oral tradition called ‘Karnaparampara’.
Most of the terms figuring in the following audio-glossary are directly traceable to the ancient and medieval texts on music, the earliest being Natya Sastra dating back to 400 B.C. Hence a large number of them are derived from Sanskrit, while others have originated in different parts of South India.
To maintain a uniformity in presentation they are given here in English and then in – Devanagari. The practical relevance of these terms in contemporary music is a sign of the greatness and continuity of this ancient system of music.
Swara and Moorchana The Embellishments
The Embellishments – their Applications and Techniques
Movements of a Raga
Types of Compositions
Tala in Carnatic Music
Musical Instruments
A Carnatic Music Concert
[ Listeners guide to Indian Classical Music ]
Credits:
The Creative Team
Contents of the CDs
System of Transliteration Alphabetical Index
Illustrations of Musical Instruments
Sources of Music
[ Listeners guide to Indian Classical Music ]
Read More on Indian Classical Music :
- Music Gurukul Online: Indian Classical Music
- Gaan Kheko Project of Sufi Faruq Ibne Abubakar