MUSIC OF INDIA

MUSIC OF INDIA
• Like most countries, music is an essential part of India's
culture and identity.
• In fact, Indian dance, religion, and music are among the
oldest art forms in the world.
• Most Hindu worship and rituals are performed with
musical activities that have various and sacred
meanings.
• The temporal organization of Indian music also
expresses many aspects of philosophical thoughts most
effectively, as it improves the participation of the
believers.
MUSICAL ELEMENTS USED IN INDIA

• 1. Timbre - Vocal singing uses a nasal technique.

Melodic instruments have sympathetic strings
which are additional strings to give the
instrument more resonance and fullness of sound
while their vibrations create a distinctive
shimmering tone color.
• 2. Rhythm - Indian music has an elaborate
metric system called tala.
 MUSICAL ELEMENTS USED IN INDIA
• 3. Harmony - Tonal blending is heterophonic and highly
ornamented, with unusual forms of ornamentation
(texture resulting from simultaneous performances of
melodic variants of the same tune.) A drone is supplied
with string instruments.
• 4. Melody - With a complex modal system, the melody
is ornamented with added notes that are not vital to
carry the overall line of the melody. The essential
melodic element of Indian classical music is called raga.
MUSICAL ELEMENTS USED IN INDIA

• 5. Texture - The sound is organized

using melodic or drum
accompaniment and drone
accompaniment.
MUSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIA
Hindustani Music
a. Classical music of North India b.
Based on the Raga system, but also
uses Tala
c. Practices non-metric system d.
Emphasizes instrumental music e.
Starts with a slow melodic
elaboration then becomes faster
Carnatic Music
a. Classical music of South India
b. Emphasis on vocal music
c. Majority of the compositions are
written to be sung.
d. Performed with a small ensemble.
e. Faster and shorter in tempo f.
Includes "Temple Music"
 VOCAL MUSIC OF INDIA
• Vocal music has always been the easiest way to express deep devotion to gods
and goddesses. On the next page are the characteristics of the vocal music of
India:
• a. Indian songs are a way for man and god to communicate and engage.
• b. The singer feels the presence of Brahma, the creator, through the clear
presentation of the rasa (dynamics).
• c. Singing consists of vocalization, which transforms into more than just a
vocal warm-up but a kind of worship.
• d. Indian vocal music includes the use of raga in their compositions.
 SAMPLE SONG OF INDIA
• 1. Tamil Nad are songs that describe the
natural beauty of a specific region of the
country. It affirms the beauty of Tamil.
• 2. Vijaya is a farewell song in India.
• 3. Hymn to Shiva is a song with spiritual
content. It is usually sung in a slow tempo
using a nasal voice with a narrow range in
melody.
 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OF INDIA

• Indian classical music has an advanced

rhythmic framework that revolves around
the concept of Tala-a rhythmic cycle with
a fixed number of beats repeated over and
over again.
• It is the sum total of the different beats
repeated in parts of the composition.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OF INDIA
LEGEND:
X-sam, the main stress, shown through clapping of hands.
O-khali, silent beat, shown through the waving of hands.

• A. Datratala (6 beats)
• B. Keherwatala (8 beats)
• C. Ektala (12 beats)
• D. Chautala (12 beats)
• E. Jhumratala (14 beats)
• F. Tintala (16 beats)
 TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS OF INDIA

Bansuri is a transverse flute with Ghatam is an earthen pot. The

Tabla is a pair of drums derived
6-7 finger holes. player taps its outer surface.
from the Arabic "Tabl" or
"drum."
 TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS OF INDIA

Pungi originated is played by Ghungroo is one of many small

Tambura is a long-necked
snake charmers in street metallic bells, a musical anklet
plucked lute.
performances. tied to the feet of the dancer.
 TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS OF INDIA

Mridanga is a Carnatic Rubab is a short-necked lute.

Shruti Upanga is a type of
ensemble's rhythmic
bagpipe often used to supply a
accompaniment.
drone.
 TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS OF INDIA

Khartal is a hand clapper Damaru is a small two-headed

Sitar is a plucked string
commonly used in religious drum made of wood and leather.
instrument.
songs.