Indian Music: Get Groovy With Indian Melodies
Posted on June 24, 2008 in Travel by Prarthna
India is the land of melody, cultures and folklore. Infact, tourists traveling to India can never forget the Indian tunes because they are distinct to a region, culture and legend. In other words, music is a way of life for people in India. So whether it’s Classical, Hindustani or Folk music, the rhythm and energy of them all can leave you in a trance.
Popular Kinds of Indian Music
The most popular forms of styles of music existing in India include:
- Classical Music: Indian classical music has been classified into – Carnatic and Hindustani Music. The classical music is considered to be the most complex musical structures ever woven. While Carnatic music has its origins in South India, Hindustani music has its origins in North India. The Indian classical music has emerged from the ancient Vedas, the Samaveda describing the form of music in detail.
- Hindustani Classical Music: The Hindustani classical music is entwined around 8 notes – sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni, sa. Hindustani classical music can be further classified into – Vocal and Instrumental. Thumri, khayal and dhrupad are some popular types of vocal music. The instrumental type of music is usually preferred when performed outside India.
- Carnatic Music: The other form of classical music, Carnatic music has its origins in South India. There are different schools where carnatic music is taught but they all revolve round the same ragas, numbering as many as 300. Though a rich number of instruments are used during the carnatic music, the emphasis is more on the theory, its rules and the voice. The veena, violin and flute are some popular instruments that are used in carnatic music.
- Folk Music: Folk music is as versatile as the continent itself. Infact, weddings, engagement ceremonies and birthdays are all celebrated differently and distinctly as per the region and culture. Some popular instruments used include the dholak, dotar, ektar and santur. Dance usually forms a part of the folk type of music. Garba, bhangra and dandiya are some kinds of dance-oriented folk music that is popular in states like Punjab, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- Ethnic Music: This kind of music, also known as tribal music are the music and dance merging from the ethnic communities existing in states like Orissa, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh. So whether it is the harvest season or a wedding, such ethnic communities express their way of life through unique music and dance ver distinct to the tribe and/or clan. The “nagara” is one of the most popular instruments used usually during the weddings.
- Filmy Music: As it is termed in India, the filmy kind of music is very popular amongst the masses. Infact, popular songs sung by legends like Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, etc never fade away from the Indian mind. Infact, these songs and more often the new generation songs are played at every nook and corner of small towns and villages. As urban cities are beginning to adopt modern cultures, western music, hip hop and rock is the kind of music that appeals to the new generation of Indians. However, latest Hindi movie flicks with their new melodies are having similar impact on young adults today.
So if you wish to snatch away the experience of Indian music, there is a range you could choose from. As vibrant as the land appears, so are cultures, people and music. Explore the land with utmost enthusiasm because that is what it seeks to give you with its music, dance and energy.
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