Indian Classical Music, Classical Music

The origins of Indian classical music can be found from the oldest of scriptures, part of the Hindu
tradition, the Vedas.

The term "Indian Classical Music" refers to two traditions viz. Carnatic and Hindustani music. Both are very much alive in India today. "Hindustani Music" is populer in North, West and East India while "Carnatic Music" is populer in South India. Due to difference of styles the systems have been thus named. There are many common raagas and some of them are derived from each other and thus made popular. Bharatiya Sangeet and ragas are derived from each other and thus made popular. Bharatiya Sangeet and ragas are inseparable. Raaga or melody is the arrangement of group is of swaras of notes, which by being rendered in a special way gives its personality.

Hindustani Music:
Like any kind of music, it is hard to say in a few words. But let me try, in case the reader is totally unfamiliar with this music.

The basic scale of Hindustani music is similar to the western 12-note scale. The main difference is that the Hindustani scale is not tempered. Thus, the intervals between consecutive notes are not equal. Indeed, they can be varied slightly to suit the particular raaga that is being performed. The same note, in different ragas, may have slightly differing positions. The notes themselves have names as in Western music, and here they are:

Hindustani: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni

Carnatic Music:
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is one of two main sub-genres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions; the other sub-genre being Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form due to Persian and Islamic influences in North India. In contrast to Hindustani music, the main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gayaki (singing) style.