History of music in India can be traced since Vedic times. One of the Veda i.e. Samaveda is all about music. Taal is an ancient music concept came from Vedic era. Hindu text include Ramayana and Mahabharat mentions dance and music. They palying several instruments like Vina, Tantri, Vipanci, Veena, Shankha. They pronounce Mantras with sura and melodious voice.
Classical music
Indian Classical Music is the great music in world.
It has two major traditions: The North Indian Classical Music tradition called as Hindustani and the other prevailing in South Indian is called as Carnatic. These both traditions were not different till 16th century.
Then during Islamic Rule of Indian subcontinent both traditions i.e. Hindustani & Carnatic separated & evolved in two different forms.
Hindustani Music emphasizes improvisation & exploring all aspects of a Raga, while Carnatic performance tend to be composition based.
TWO TYPE TRADITIONS
HINDUSTANI MUSIC : This tradition is popular in West Bangal, Assam, U.P., Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc.
KARNATAKA MUSIC : This tradition is popular in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh & Kerala.
There is not so much difference in these both tradition.
Following are some similarities in both above traditions:
- Both the tradition has 12 swara, 22 shruti.
- Both the tradition has alaap gaan.
- In both the tradition alaap & taan has been sing with ‘Bandish’ (khyaal).
Following are some difference in both traditions:
- In both the tradition there are 12 swar sthaan, but swar & the name of these swars are different in both.
- In Karnataka music tradition, there are 72 thaats but in Hindustani music tradition there are 10 thaats.
- Karnataki khyaals are composed in kannad, telugu, tamil, etc. languages but Hindustani khyaals are composed in brij, bhojpuri, pharsi, punjabi, rajasthani, etc. languages.
- Taal in both traditions are different.
- Raag in both traditions are different.
- ‘Geet’ types are different in both tradition. For example: Geet types in Hindustani music is Sargam, Lakshan Geet, Khyaal, Dhrupad, Dhanaar, Tappa, Tarana, Thumri, Hori etc. Geet types in Karnatak music is varnam, keertnam, padam, jawali, etc.
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