Music Narayanan Intro

[ . BACK to TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Indian Music

by Narayanan Raghunathan

Indian Classical Music is a Vast Ocean considered to be Anaadi { Beginningless]

Revelations by tradtionalists. Shruthi, Raag[am], and Thaala{m], are the three major aspects of Indian Classical Music. Shruthi may be roughly called the Drone! Shruthi in Sanskrit { and in many Indian Languages ] means A Revelation heard.

Rig Yajur Saama and Atharva are the four Vedas [ vid ~ to Know ] Revealed and hence Shruthi. In Indian music Tampura (Tanpura) plays the Shruthi. It may be roughly treated as a static cord in western music terminology.

The Saptha Swaras [ The seven basic notes ] make the Raag[am]. But the Raaga or Raagam is not simply an ascending and descending scale of fixed notes. It has a unique Bhaavam[ Mood Expression, Life]. There are Innumerable Raagam[s].

Thaal[am] is the Rhythmic Gait [ Beat roughly ]
But unlike western beats which are near here cyclic rhythms are used, which in extravagant theoretical way we can assert there are infinite Thaal[am]s. But then few finite easy ones are practised generally.

Technically twenty two Shruthis are practised. Or basic drone pitch.
There are two very major distinct styles of Indian Classical Music practised.
Karnaatik [South Indian] and Hindusthani [ North Indian].

The Hindusthani music has two major branches the older traditional "Dhrupad" style and the later "Khayaal" style. The semi-neo classical Thumri, Ghazal, Tappa Tarana, Quwaali etc. are secondary off shoot genres. Bhajans are a traditional genre sung in Dhyaana[m] and prayer.
All these use the Raag[am] and Thaal[am].

Raag [ Hindusthani ] Raagam [ Karnaatik ] , Raga ~ This word can variously mean colour, design, symmetry, organization. desire, etc ~

Thaal [ Hindusthani ] Thaalam { Karnatik } ~ Is Rtam Rhythm. That which is intrinsic to things.

The music exists in reference in the Indian Religio-mystic context as "Naada Brahman."
"Naada" is eternal indivisible resonant sounds soaked in innumerables silences.

Brahman is All this and Not All This.
The Turiya Awastha and Aum [Pranava] too.

Here are some of the topics that will be covered separately.

1] Raag[am]
2] Taal[am]
3] Shruthi
4] Pallavi
5] Anu Pallavi
6] Charanam
7] Geetham
8] Karnaatik
9] Hindusthani

10 ] Dhrupad
11 ] Khayaal
12 ] Vilambit
13 ] Dhrut
14 ] Arohana[m]
15 ] Avarohana[m]
16 ] Layam.
17 ] Aavarthanam
18 ] Thani Aavarthanam
19 ] Thumri

20 ] Ghazal
21 ] Thaanam
22 ] Taan
23 ] Gharaana
24 ] Swara[m]
25 ] Krithi
26 ] Keerthanam
27 ] Bhajan[ai]
28 ] Sahithy[am]
29 ] Naadam

30 ] Brahman
31 ] Naada Brahma[n]m
32 ] Naatya
33 ] Nrittha
34 ] Naatya Shaasthram
35 ] Maatra
36 ] Mudra
37 ] Bhaava
38 ] Rasa
39 ] Nava Rasa

40 ] Karana
41 ] Bharatha Muni
42 ] Bharatha Naatyam
43 ] Kathak
44 ] Odissi
45 ] Kathakali
46 ] Mohinyaattam
47 ] Koodiyaattam
48 ] Yaksha gaana
49 ] Manipuri

50 ] Sitar
51 ] Veena
52 ] Bansuri
53 ] Sarod
54 ] Shehnai
55 ] Naagaswaram
56 ] Gottu Vaadyam
57 ] Mridangam
58 ] Pakhawaj
59 ] Tabla

60 ] Chenda
61 } Maddalam
62 ] Edaykka
63 ] Udukku
64 ] Abhoga
65 ] Alamkara
66 ] Antara

Narayanan Raghunathan
2006

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


BACK TO

. Music of India .



[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::