🪇World Music Unit 4 – Indian Classical Music: Raga and Tala

Origins and Cultural Context

• Indian classical music deeply rooted in ancient Hindu traditions and scriptures (Vedas, Upanishads)
• Evolved over centuries, influenced by various cultural and religious factors
• Two main branches: Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian)
  • Hindustani music influenced by Persian and Islamic traditions
  • Carnatic music remained more closely tied to Hindu traditions
• Historically performed in royal courts, temples, and spiritual gatherings
• Oral tradition of teaching and learning through guru-shishya parampara (teacher-student lineage)
• Considered a spiritual and meditative art form, aimed at achieving moksha (liberation)
• Continues to be an integral part of Indian culture, performed at festivals, concerts, and religious ceremonies

Fundamental Concepts

• Raga and tala form the foundation of Indian classical music
• Raga refers to the melodic framework, while tala represents the rhythmic cycle
• Emphasis on improvisation within the structured framework of raga and tala
• Shruti (microtonal intervals) and swara (musical notes) are essential elements
  • 22 shrutis in an octave, allowing for subtle variations in pitch
  • 7 main swaras: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni
• Concept of rasa (emotional essence) is central to Indian classical music
  • 9 rasas: Shringara (love), Hasya (joy), Karuna (sorrow), Raudra (anger), Veera (heroism), Bhayanaka (fear), Bibhatsa (disgust), Adbhuta (wonder), Shanta (peace)
• Importance of alap (improvised introduction) and jhala (rhythmic climax) in performances

Raga: Melodic Framework

• Raga is a melodic framework with a unique set of notes, phrases, and ornamentations
• Each raga has a distinct emotional character and is associated with a specific time of day or season
• Ragas are classified based on their parent scale (thaat in Hindustani, melakarta in Carnatic)
• Ragas have a ascending (aroha) and descending (avaroha) pattern of notes
• Vadi and samavadi are the most important notes in a raga, used for emphasis and resolution
• Gamakas (ornamentations) such as meend (glide), kan (grace note), and andolan (oscillation) add depth and expression to the melody
• Ragas are explored through improvisation within the defined framework, allowing for creativity and personal interpretation

Tala: Rhythmic Patterns

• Tala is the rhythmic cycle or meter in Indian classical music
• Provides a framework for composition and improvisation
• Talas have a fixed number of beats (matra) and are marked by hand gestures and percussive syllables (bols)
• Common talas include Teental (16 beats), Jhaptal (10 beats), and Ektaal (12 beats) in Hindustani music; Adi tala (8 beats) and Rupaka tala (6 beats) in Carnatic music
• Tala cycles are divided into vibhags (sections) and marked by sam (the first beat of the cycle)
• Layakari (rhythmic interplay) involves variations and improvisations within the tala framework
  • Includes techniques like tihai (rhythmic cadence), chakradhar (cyclic patterns), and nadai (subdivision of beats)
• Tala provides a foundation for the interaction between melodic and rhythmic elements in a performance

Instruments and Performance

• Indian classical music primarily features melodic and percussion instruments
• Melodic instruments:
  • Sitar: plucked string instrument with a long neck and gourd resonators
  • Sarod: plucked string instrument with a shorter neck and no frets
  • Veena: plucked string instrument with a large resonator and 24 frets
  • Bansuri: bamboo flute
  • Sarangi: bowed string instrument
• Percussion instruments:
  • Tabla: pair of hand drums (bayan and dayan) used in Hindustani music
  • Mridangam: double-headed drum used in Carnatic music
  • Pakhawaj: barrel-shaped, two-headed drum used in dhrupad style
  • Ghatam: clay pot used as a percussion instrument in Carnatic music
• Performances typically feature a main melodic instrument, accompanied by tabla or mridangam and a drone instrument (tanpura)
• Concerts are usually structured in three parts: alap (slow, improvised introduction), jod-jhala (rhythmic development), and gat/kriti (composed piece with improvisations)

Notable Compositions and Artists

• Hindustani music:
  • Miyan Tansen: legendary 16th-century composer and musician in Akbar's court
  • Amir Khusrow: 13th-century poet and musician credited with inventing the sitar and tabla
  • Ravi Shankar: sitar virtuoso who popularized Indian classical music in the West
  • Ali Akbar Khan: sarod maestro known for his innovative playing style
  • Hariprasad Chaurasia: renowned bansuri player
  • Zakir Hussain: tabla virtuoso and frequent collaborator with Western musicians
• Carnatic music:
  • Purandara Dasa: 16th-century composer known as the "father of Carnatic music"
  • Tyagaraja: 18th-century composer who wrote thousands of devotional songs
  • M.S. Subbulakshmi: legendary 20th-century vocalist
  • Lalgudi Jayaraman: influential 20th-century violinist and composer
  • U. Srinivas: mandolin virtuoso who adapted the instrument for Carnatic music
• Notable compositions:
  • Raga Darbari Kanada: a popular Hindustani raga associated with late-night performances
  • Raga Bhairavi: a versatile Hindustani raga suitable for any time of day
  • Raga Shankarabharanam: a fundamental Carnatic raga known for its grandeur and devotional character
  • Pancharatna Kritis: a set of five compositions by Tyagaraja, considered masterpieces of Carnatic music

Modern Interpretations and Fusion

• Indian classical music has evolved and adapted to modern times
• Fusion with Western music has led to new genres like Indo-jazz and world music
  • Examples: Shakti (John McLaughlin, L. Shankar, Zakir Hussain), Mahavishnu Orchestra
• Collaborations between Indian and Western classical musicians
  • Example: Ravi Shankar and Yehudi Menuhin's "West Meets East" albums
• Incorporation of Indian classical elements in film music (Bollywood, Kollywood)
• Experimental and avant-garde approaches to traditional forms
  • Example: L. Shankar's electric double violin
• Use of technology and electronic instruments in live performances and recordings
• Growing interest in Indian classical music among younger generations and global audiences

Influence on Global Music

• Indian classical music has had a significant impact on various genres worldwide
• Influenced Western classical composers like Philip Glass and John Cage
  • Example: Glass' opera "Satyagraha" based on Mahatma Gandhi's life
• Inspired jazz musicians like John Coltrane and Miles Davis
  • Example: Coltrane's album "A Love Supreme" incorporates Indian musical concepts
• Popularized in the West through collaborations with rock and pop artists
  • Examples: The Beatles (George Harrison's sitar use), The Rolling Stones, The Byrds
• Contributed to the development of world music and fusion genres
  • Examples: Afro-Indian collaborations, Indian-influenced electronic music
• Increased global interest in Indian culture and spirituality
• Indian classical music continues to evolve and inspire musicians and listeners around the world