9.4 Music of India and South Asia

Indian and South Asian music is a vibrant tapestry of classical, folk, and devotional traditions. From the structured ragas of Hindustani and Carnatic classical styles to the diverse regional folk songs, music plays a central role in cultural expression and spiritual practice.

This rich musical heritage has had a profound impact on global music. Indian instruments, rhythms, and melodic concepts have influenced Western musicians, leading to innovative fusion genres and new approaches to composition and performance.

Classical and Folk Music of India and South Asia

Classical Music Traditions

Top images from around the web for Classical Music Traditions

• 

  Dance forms of Tamil Nadu - WikiVisually View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Carnatic music - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Carnatic music - Wikiquote View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Dance forms of Tamil Nadu - WikiVisually View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Carnatic music - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Classical Music Traditions

• 

  Dance forms of Tamil Nadu - WikiVisually View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Carnatic music - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Carnatic music - Wikiquote View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Dance forms of Tamil Nadu - WikiVisually View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Carnatic music - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Hindustani music of North India and Carnatic music of South India form the two main classical music systems in India
• Ancient texts provide the foundation for these highly structured systems of melody (raga) and rhythm (tala)
• Improvisation within established frameworks characterizes both classical traditions
• "Rasa" or emotional essence plays a central role in Indian classical music
  • Different ragas evoke specific moods or times of day
• Classical music performances often begin with an invocation to a deity, reflecting spiritual origins
• South Asian classical music traditions extend beyond India to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka
  • Each country possesses unique regional styles

Folk Music Diversity

• Folk music traditions vary widely across the region, reflecting local languages, customs, and daily life
• Notable folk music styles include:
  • Bhangra from Punjab
  • Baul from Bengal
  • Lavani from Maharashtra
• Folk music incorporates local instruments and styles specific to each region
• Serves as a medium for storytelling, preserving oral traditions and cultural narratives
• Reflects the close connection between music and nature in South Asian culture
  • Many folk songs associate with specific seasons or times of day

Music in Indian and South Asian Culture

Religious Significance

• Hindu worship integrates devotional songs (bhajans) and chants (mantras) in religious ceremonies
• Sufi music, particularly Qawwali, represents a significant form of Islamic devotional music in South Asia
  • Emphasizes spiritual love and mysticism
• Sikh religious music, known as Kirtan, involves singing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib in Gurdwaras
• Classical music's spiritual origins manifest in performances beginning with deity invocations

Cultural Practices and Traditions

• Music plays a central role in life-cycle events across various cultures in the region
  • Weddings
  • Births
  • Funerals
• Ragas associate with specific seasons or times of day, reflecting the connection between music and nature
• Folk music preserves oral traditions and cultural narratives through storytelling
• Music serves as a medium for expressing cultural identity and regional pride

Instruments, Ragas, and Talas of Indian Music

Key Instruments

• Primary melodic instruments in Indian classical music include:
  • Sitar (plucked string instrument)
  • Sarod (fretless lute)
  • Veena (plucked string instrument popular in Carnatic music)
  • Bansuri (bamboo flute)
• Essential percussion instruments:
  • Tabla (pair of hand drums)
  • Mridangam (double-headed drum used in Carnatic music)
  • Pakhawaj (barrel-shaped drum used in Hindustani music)
• Tanpura provides a continuous harmonic drone, serving as the tonal center for performances
• Regional instruments play important roles in folk and ceremonial music
  • Shehnai (double-reed oboe-like instrument from North India)
  • Nadaswaram (double-reed wind instrument from South India)

Ragas and Talas

• Ragas form melodic frameworks for improvisation in Indian classical music
  • Examples include Yaman, Bhairavi, and Darbari
• Talas provide rhythmic cycles, forming the foundation for percussion and melodic improvisation
  • Common talas: Teental (16 beats) and Jhaptal (10 beats)
• "Gamaka" (ornamental notes) adds expressive nuance to performances in both Hindustani and Carnatic music

Indian Music's Influence on World Music

Impact on Western Music

• Indian classical music significantly influenced Western musicians during the 1960s counterculture movement
  • The Beatles incorporated sitar and Indian concepts into their music
• Fusion of Indian classical music with jazz led to the development of Indo-jazz
  • Popularized by musicians like John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain
• Indian vocal techniques have influenced contemporary R&B and pop vocal styles
  • Use of melismas and microtonal inflections
• Raga concept has inspired Western composers to explore new approaches to melody and harmony
  • Contemporary classical music
  • Experimental music genres

Global Music Genres and Production

• Bhangra music from Punjab has substantially impacted global dance music
  • Influenced genres like hip-hop and electronic dance music
• Tabla and other Indian percussion instruments have become common in world music and some popular music productions
• Bollywood film music, blending Indian and Western styles, has gained global popularity
  • Influenced music production in other film industries
• Use of Indian instruments and musical concepts has become increasingly common in global fusion and world music genres