Indian Classical Music - Result of experiments...

So people, Lets see what scholars say about today's music... Forget about scholars what do our parents say?? … :lol: … I know…

“Indian music Industry has gone nuts…” … “what do you like all this , beta… Pappu cant
dance saala???”… “Bacche Bigad gaye hai…” … “ Its not real music… Kahan hamara zamana tha… Amar Prem… Araadhana… aur kahan… Apun bola tu meri laila… and oof oof mirchi… hay hay mirchi…”

Sounds similar… isn’t it??

I really do not agree with this… all the taunts given by classical music lovers… (Yes… I am a classical music lover :) )… Music is the result of experiments and that is true even for the classical music… Surprised?? Read on…

In India, there are the two main traditions of classical music: Carnatic music, found predominantly in the peninsular regions and Hindustani music, found in the northern and central parts.

It’s a well known fact that Carnatic music and Hindustani music differ from each other, in many ways. Why?

The Sangita-Ratnakara of Sharngadeva (13th century) is one of the most important musicological texts from India which both Hindustani music and Carnatic music look to as a definitive ext. It is common to both Hindustani music and Carnatic music. It was written in the deccan region. The evolution of Hindustani music started when Alauddin Khalji, a Muslim ruler conquered the Deccan . The Hindu mythology and Sanskrit lyrics was very difficult to comprehend by Muslim musicians. It gave rise to a great competition between the musicians. New Ragas/Talas/Instruments
were introduced. North Indian music kept on evolving at the faster rate than south Indian Music as South Indian music had less influence from invaders. South Indian music continued to have great influence of Sanskrit and was thoroughly developed by 18th century. Hindustani classical music was influenced by different religions at different timeline and was developed more or less by 20th century.

The experiments are still going on with new instruments and languages in place... Something good really comes out of it… The examples are “Fuzon” or “Parineeta” or “Fanaa” or “Jab we met” songs… and there are many more…They are based on core classical Ragas and are really really good.

So next time, someone says something… about today’s music… be confident and tell them… “Chillax yaar… you know how classical music evolved??” … I bet they wont be able to tell you…

Why classical Music?

So here is my first post… which talks about the history of Indian Classical Music!!! Sounds boring?? :lol: ... Dont worry... This is not a music class...

My friends ask me : "क्या है यार... कुछ तो गाते है... समज़ा नही तो क्लास्सिकल म्यूजिक ...."

Which leaves one question: “What does a singer sing EXACTLY?”

Let me explain:

There are seven swaras ( सा ,रे,ग,म,प,ध,नि ) and several ताला or rhythms.Every melody (रागा) is a combination of these swaras which is bound by a rhythm (tala). Different scales could be used. Every Raga has to be sung at a particular period to get the maximum output (Cant help… I am software professional!!!!)

Every singer or instrument player has to follow the rules of tala (rhythm), swara, time and scale and make different compositions. बस … हो गया … That is it??? Then why is it difficult and why one needs practice or Riyaz?

Lets see why...

Imagine that you are sitting in front of your Guru and trying to sing a Raga. Following things can happen to you:

Scene 1:
You change one swara and the Rag changes… (:eh:)
(Guru is disappointed but as you are singing it for the first time, so you get a warning)

Scene 2:
You take care of all the Swaras but your composition ends 2 seconds after the expected time…You are singing with the tala... (Guru says… :nono: … start again… again… and again…)

Scene 3:
You are extremely careful about swaras and tala… But you change the time. (It is supposed to be sung in the morning and not in the evening) … Raga changes… (:banghead: … you get one more warning)

Scene 4:
Now you are extremely careful about the swaras and talas and ohh yes… time… But you change the scale… Raga changes… One more mistake…

( :banghead: .. Your Guru tells you to stop experimenting … Phew...)

Scene 5:
You have practised like anything and you have taken this as a challenge… You start singing some compositions… and… you sing GA (ग) and Dha (ध) more than Re (रे )and Pa(प)… Raga again changes… ( Damn.... :| … There is no energy left to even bang the head…)

People… This is really not to scare you or demoralize you… This is just to tell you that learning classical music could be an amazing experience. You have to take care of many things at a time - Swara, tala, time, scale,usage of swaras. It needs practice,concentration and dedication.

Are you ready for this experience? Believe me…you can learn two things form classical music... "Dont compromize and Dont lose hope..." Bingo!!!