Like art, music in diverse India is an eclectic mix of the classical and contemporary, folk and devotional. Classical music, which has its origins in the sacred Hindu text Sama Veda, can be broadly classified into the north Indian and south Indian traditions, with distinct nomenclature, instruments and styles of performance. The two, however, share the fundamental forms of Indian classical music—the raga (melody) and tal (rhythm). Ragas, which are meant to evoke the different human emotions, are made up of combinations of the seven notes of Indian music: Sa Sadjam, Ri Rishab, Ga Gaandhaar, Ma Madhyam, Pa Pancham, Dha Dhaivad, Ni Nishad.
Four types of instruments are used in Indian classical music—the tantrum (strings), susir (wind), avanada (percussion) and Ghana (gongs, bell and cymbal). Among the numerous Indian instruments in the strings category are the sarangi, sarod, santoor and sitar. The tabla is a percussion instrument, while the shehnai represents the wind category.
Carnatic music is devotional in nature with its lyrics addressed to any one of the many deities in the pantheon of Hindu deities. It has 62 basic roots known as the Melakarta Ragams, which in turn have seven notes—Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da and Ne. This system, divided into two sets of 31 ragas, is similar to the Western system of scales and flats.
Hindustani music has five different forms: Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Tappa and Thumri. Dhrupad is the oldest with traditional compositions praising the gods and monarchs, and also includes lyrics about nature. Khayal is the dominant form of contemporary art music and allows the singer greater flexibility and opportunities for creative improvisation.
Other forms of Indian music include Ghazal, Qawwali and folk music.
Sitar and Ravi Shankar
The sitar, invented in the 13th century by Amir Khusro, is one of the most famous of Indian stringed instruments. It is made from seasoned gourd and teak wood and has about seven main strings and 13 others designed for sympathetic resonance. The sitar has been popularised around the world by its greatest exponent, maestro Ravi Shankar. Shankar is a musician and composer of great eminence who has won countless international awards, including two Grammys from the American Recording Academy, for his pioneering work in synthesising the music of the East and West.