🎼Music of Asia Unit 7 – South Asian Music: Pakistan to Sri Lanka

Historical Background

• South Asian music has a rich history spanning thousands of years, with roots in ancient Vedic chants and classical traditions
• Invasions and migrations from Central Asia, Persia, and the Middle East introduced new musical influences and instruments (sitars, tablas)
• The Mughal Empire (16th-19th centuries) patronized music and arts, leading to the development of Hindustani classical music
  • Hindustani music is characterized by elaborate melodic structures (ragas) and rhythmic patterns (talas)
• British colonialism in the Indian subcontinent (18th-20th centuries) introduced Western musical elements and notation systems
• Post-independence, South Asian countries developed distinct musical identities while retaining shared cultural roots
• Bollywood film music emerged as a popular genre in the 20th century, blending traditional and Western styles
• Fusion music gained prominence in the late 20th century, combining South Asian music with jazz, rock, and electronic elements

Geographical Context

• South Asia encompasses a diverse range of countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives
• The region is characterized by varied landscapes, from the Himalayan mountains to the Indian Ocean coastline
• Different geographical regions have developed unique musical traditions and instruments
  • North Indian Hindustani music is influenced by Persian and Central Asian styles
  • South Indian Carnatic music has a distinct classical tradition with emphasis on vocal music
• Folk music traditions vary across rural areas, reflecting local languages, customs, and occupations (farming, fishing)
• Urban centers have become hubs for contemporary music scenes, including Bollywood, indie rock, and electronic music
• Music festivals and concerts are held in major cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Lahore, Dhaka) and attract diverse audiences

Major Musical Traditions

• Hindustani classical music is prevalent in North India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh
  • Based on melodic modes (ragas) and rhythmic cycles (talas)
  • Improvisation is a key element, with musicians elaborating on the raga structure
• Carnatic classical music is dominant in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
  • Emphasis on vocal music, with compositions (kritis) set to specific ragas and talas
  • Instrumental music often accompanies or mimics vocal styles
• Ghazal is a popular genre of poetry and music, originating in Arabic and Persian traditions
  • Ghazals are composed in Urdu or Persian and express themes of love, longing, and spirituality
• Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music, associated with the Islamic mystical tradition
  • Qawwali performances feature vocal improvisations, harmonium, and tabla accompaniment
• Folk music traditions include bhangra (Punjab), baul (Bengal), and lavani (Maharashtra)
  • Folk music often incorporates regional languages, dance, and storytelling elements
• Fusion music blends South Asian classical or folk traditions with Western genres (jazz, rock, electronic)

Instruments and Ensembles

• Sitar is a plucked string instrument central to Hindustani classical music
  • Features a long neck, resonating gourd, and 18-21 strings
  • Played with a metallic plectrum, producing a distinctive twanging sound
• Sarod is another important string instrument in Hindustani music
  • Has a shorter neck and no frets, allowing for gliding between notes
• Tabla is a pair of hand drums used for rhythmic accompaniment
  • Consists of a smaller wooden drum (daya) and a larger metal drum (baya)
  • Produces a wide range of sounds and rhythmic patterns
• Mridangam is a double-headed drum used in Carnatic music
• Bansuri is a bamboo flute played in both Hindustani and Carnatic traditions
• Harmonium is a portable reed organ introduced during the British colonial period
  • Commonly used in ghazal, qawwali, and devotional music
• Ensembles typically include a lead melodic instrument, a rhythmic accompaniment (tabla, mridangam), and a drone instrument (tanpura, shruti box)

Vocal Styles and Techniques

• Khyal is a prominent vocal style in Hindustani classical music
  • Emphasizes improvisation and emotional expression
  • Singers use various ornamentations (gamaks, meends) to explore the raga
• Dhrupad is an older, more austere vocal style in Hindustani music
  • Focuses on long, sustained notes and gradual melodic development
• Khayal is a vocal genre in Carnatic music, featuring composed pieces (kritis) set to specific ragas and talas
• Ghazal singing emphasizes poetic expression and subtle vocal inflections
  • Singers often use a higher vocal register and incorporate Urdu or Persian pronunciation
• Qawwali vocalists employ powerful, emotive singing techniques
  • Vocal improvisations (sargams) and repetition of key phrases are common
• Folk singing styles vary by region and language
  • Often characterized by a nasal tone, slides between notes, and rhythmic phrasing
• Devotional singing (bhajans, kirtans) is an important part of religious music traditions
  • Singers aim to evoke a sense of spiritual devotion and communal participation

Religious and Cultural Influences

• Hinduism has deeply influenced South Asian music, with many compositions dedicated to deities and mythological themes
  • Bhajans and kirtans are devotional songs sung in temples and homes
• Islam has shaped musical traditions, particularly in the form of Sufi music and qawwali
  • Sufi poetry and music express love for the divine and spiritual ecstasy
• Sikhism has its own musical tradition, with the Guru Granth Sahib (holy scripture) set to specific ragas
  • Sikh devotional music (shabad kirtan) is performed in gurdwaras (temples)
• Buddhism has influenced music in Sri Lanka and Nepal, with chanting and percussion used in rituals
• Cultural events and festivals often feature music and dance performances
  • Weddings, birth celebrations, and harvest festivals incorporate traditional music
• Film music, particularly Bollywood, has become a significant part of popular culture
  • Movies feature elaborate song and dance sequences, often blending traditional and contemporary styles

Contemporary Trends

• Fusion music has gained popularity, with artists experimenting with new combinations of genres and instruments
  • Examples include Shakti (Hindustani classical and jazz), Indian Ocean (folk and rock), and MIDIval Punditz (electronic and classical)
• Independent music scenes have emerged in urban centers, with genres like indie rock, hip-hop, and electronic music
  • Platforms like YouTube and streaming services have enabled artists to reach wider audiences
• Bollywood music continues to dominate the popular music landscape
  • Soundtracks feature a mix of traditional melodies, Western-influenced arrangements, and catchy hooks
• Diaspora communities have contributed to the global spread of South Asian music
  • Artists of South Asian descent have gained prominence in Western music industries (e.g., Jay Sean, M.I.A.)
• Music education institutions and conservatories have been established to preserve and promote classical traditions
  • Examples include the ITC Sangeet Research Academy (Kolkata) and the A.R. Rahman School of Music (Chennai)
• Collaborations between South Asian and international artists have become more common
  • Cross-cultural projects showcase the versatility and adaptability of South Asian music

Key Artists and Compositions

• Ravi Shankar (1920-2012) was a renowned sitar player who popularized Indian classical music in the West
  • Collaborated with Western artists like George Harrison and Philip Glass
  • Composed the sitar concerto "Raga Mala" and the film score for "Gandhi"
• M.S. Subbulakshmi (1916-2004) was a celebrated Carnatic vocalist
  • Known for her renditions of classical compositions (kritis) and devotional songs
• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948-1997) was a legendary qawwali singer
  • Credited with bringing qawwali to international audiences
  • Collaborated with Western artists like Peter Gabriel and Eddie Vedder
• A.R. Rahman (b. 1967) is a prominent film composer and music producer
  • Won two Academy Awards for his work on the film "Slumdog Millionaire"
  • Blends Indian classical, folk, and Western musical elements in his compositions
• Lata Mangeshkar (1929-2022) was a playback singer who recorded songs for over 1,000 Bollywood films
  • Considered one of the most influential voices in Indian cinema
• Ustad Bismillah Khan (1916-2006) was a master shehnai player
  • Elevated the status of the shehnai (a double-reed wind instrument) in classical music
• Hariprasad Chaurasia (b. 1938) is a renowned bansuri (flute) player in the Hindustani classical tradition
  • Composed music for films and collaborated with international artists
• Anoushka Shankar (b. 1981) is a sitar player and composer
  • Daughter and disciple of Ravi Shankar
  • Combines classical training with contemporary influences in her music