MUSIC OF SOUTH, CENTRAL, AND WEST ASIA

INDIA
 Largest Country in South Asia
 Source of spiritual inspiration, cultural expression, and entertainment

Vocal Music
1. Carnatic
2. Hinduistic

Carnatic
 Music from South India
 Directed to Hindu God
 Also known as “Temple Music”

Hindustani Music
 Goes back to Vedic Period (1000 BC).
 Further developed in the 13th and 14th centuries with Persian influence.
 Predominantly found in Northern and Central regions.
 Influenced by ancient Hindu musical traditions.
 Influenced by historical Vedic religion/Vedic philosophy.
 Influenced by native Indian sounds.
 Enriched by Persian performance (Mughal Era).
 Nasal singing is observed in vocal music.

Khyal
 A word which means “Imagination”.

Samagana
 Singing based in a set of pitches.

Sama Veda
 A sacred text.
 3rd of the four vedas of Hinduism.
 Ranks next to Rig Veda in terms of sanctity and liturgy.

Rig Veda
 1st among 4 canonical sacred text of Hinduism.
 An ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
 North Indian Music (Hindustani Sangeet)
 South Indian Music (Carnatic Sangeet)

Classification of Musical Instruments from India

1. Ghan-A
 Non-membranous percussive instrument with solid resonators.

 Ghatam
 Karta
 Manjira
 Nout

2. Avanaddh
 Membranous percussive instruments.

 Daf (Duf, Daphu)

 Dhol
 Tabla

3. Sushir
 Also known as “Blown Air”.

 Shankh
 Bansuri
 Surpeti
 Shehnai

4. Tat
 Referred to as Vina (plucked stringed instruments)

 Sitar
 Gotuvadyam
 Ektar
 Gopichand
 Rabab

5. Vitat
 Bowed stringed instruments.

 Banam
 Esraj
 Chikara
  Sarangi

Tala
 Literally means “clap” (Tal, Taal, Taala).
 Regular, repeating rhythmic phrase.
 The common Indian system of rhythm.

Theka
 A sequence of drum syllables or “bol”.

Tabla
 Most common instrument for keeping rhythm in Hindustani music.

Mridangam
 Most common instrument for keeping rhythm in Carnatic music.

PAKISTAN
 Known for its unique vocals.
 Influenced by central Asia, Persia, Turkey, and Arab World.

Vocal Music
1. Ghazal
2. Qawwali

1. Ghazal
 Traditional expression of love and loneliness.
 One of the principal poetic forms in Persian civilization.
 Can be sung by both men and women.

2. Qawwali
 Devotional music of the Christi order.
 Vibrant musical tradition (700 years ago).
 Originally performed mainly at Sufi shrines.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Punjabi
 A region in South Asia.
Punjabi (West Punjab, Pakistan, East Punjab, and India)
 Tabla
 Dholak
 Harmonium
 Rubab

ISRAEL
 West Asia music is modal.
 Harmony is not emphasized.

Functions:
1. Communal worship (Mosque, Synagogue, and Church).
2. Mystic rituals (Sufis, Hassidic).
3. Life passage events (Wedding, Anniversaries).
4. Entertainment (Belly dancing, Folk dancing).

Vocal Music
1. Devotional
2. Secular

Devotional
 Featured during sabbath and other holidays.
 Hazan (Leader of prayer in the synagogue).
 Shofar (A special call to prayer and repentance).
 Shofar (Sounded on high holidays).

Secular
 Instrument and voice are used.
 Played during life passage events.
 Context lies outside the religious domain.
 Very rhythmic and have popular and romantic texts.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
 Jewish Lyre
 Psalterion
 Shofar
 Goblet
 Toft
 Oud
 Darbuk