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GAYAKI - NORTH INDIAN VOCAL MUSIC

Prashanth | 10:45 AM | , , ,
GAYAKI - NORTH INDIAN VOCAL MUSIC

The vocal tradition is especially strong in Indian music. It goes without saying that the song is probably the most ancient form of music. Vocal music occupies a considerable part of the Natya Shastra.

One may argue that the Vedas, especially the Samaveda, is the oldest musical text in India. It is true that the Samaveda is written in a crude musical notation. However, it is probably more appropriate for us to look at contemporary music.

Contemporary musical forms are built up from very well defined structures. These structures such as a primary theme, a secondary theme and other elements form a structured framework in which a largely improvised system of music can work.

There are many genres, some old and some new. Dhrupad and dhammar are some of the oldest in use today; they go back to the Mogul era (circa 16th century). Equally old, but stylistically quite different, is the tarana; this is based upon meaningless syllables. More modern (by Indian standards) are the highly improvised kheyal, dadra, and thumri. Another classical style is the tappa of Punjab.

Most of the classical songs of north India are devotional in nature, but there are a few genre which are especially oriented toward religion. Most notable is the bhajan, dhun or kirtan for Hindus, the kawali (qawali) for Muslims, and the shabad for Sikhs.

Not all the music is serious, for there are also many popular genres. The gazal is one style which is known for it rich poetic, and romantic content. the Hindi geet is basically just a song. Undoubtedly, the most popular is the film song.

There are also a few genres which are oriented specifically toward musical education. The most notable example is the lakshan geet. In this style the words of the song actually describe the rag which is being performed. Another genre which is used for pedagogic purposes is the swarmalika. This style uses the sargam of the piece instead of words.

India also has a rich tradition of folk music. These will vary from region to region.


VOCAL FORMS

* Kheyal
* Bhajan
* Tarana
* Dhrupad
* Dhammar
* Dadra
* Gazal
* Geet
* Thumri
* qawwali
* Kirtan or Dhun
* Shabad
* Lakshangeet
* Film Songs
* Folk Music
* Swarmalika

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VADHYA SANGEET (INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

Prashanth | 10:44 AM | , , , ,
VADHYA SANGEET (INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

Instrumental music occupies an important position in Indian music. It is one of the threefold aspects of "sangeet" (vocal music, instrumental music, and dance), and has a very ancient history. Instrumental music is known as "vadhya sangeet".

There is a general tendency for the instrumental styles to follow quite closely the vocal styles. Yet, the degree to which an instrument follows is primarily linked to the dynamics of the instrument.

Dynamics is the nature of the loudness of an instrument. This is not intended to mean loudness in the usual interpretation, but rather the amplitudinal characteristics of the instrument. The sitar and flute offer a good illustration. A flute is continuously excited, therefore there is a steady sound as long as the breath is applied. Since it is possible to sustain a sound for a long time, it is possible to perform all kinds of delicate meends (glissando), gamaks or other ornamentation. Instruments with a long sustain tend to follow the vocal styles in their presentation. Contrast this to a sitar with its rapid decay. The sound is essentially inaudible within a few seconds. Many types of ornamentation cannot be executed due to this quick decay.

This creates an artistic pressure for these instruments to develop their own styles. These styles enhance the strong points while avoiding the weaknesses. Over the years they have become formalized into four major instrumental styles known as: alap, jor, gat and jhala. The alap is a slow rhythmless elaboration upon the rag. The jor is a section that has rhythm but no developed rhythmic cycle (i.e., tal). The gat is the fully developed piece, while the jhala is a fast rhythmic interplay between the drone strings and the main playing strings.
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INDIAN FOLK MUSIC

Prashanth | 10:42 AM | , ,
INDIAN FOLK MUSIC

India has a very rich tradition of folk music. The extreme cultural diversity creates endless varieties of folk styles. Each region has its own particular style.

There is a tendency to lump folk music along with tribal music. There is actually a difference. Where folk music is a mere rustic reflection of the larger Indian society, tribal music often represents cultures that are very different. Some of these tribal cultures are throwbacks to cultural conditions as they were thousands of years ago.

Tribal and folk music is not taught in the same way that Indian classical music is taught. There is no formal period of apprenticeship where the student is able to devote their entire life to learning the music, the economics of rural life does not permit this sort of thing. The musical practitioners must still attend to their normal duties of hunting, agriculture or whatever their chosen profession is.

Music in the villages is learned almost by osmosis. From childhood the music is heard and imbibed along with ones mother's milk. There are numerous public activities that allow the villagers to practice and hone their skills. These are the normal functions which syncronize village life with the universe.

The music is an indispensable component of functions such as weddings, engagements, and births. There is a plethora of songs for such occasions. There are also many songs associated with planting and harvesting. In these activities the villagers routinely sing of their hopes, fears and aspirations.

Folk music is also used for educational purposes. For instance sex education has traditionally been taught in Andhra Pradesh by song. There is a function when a girl has her first menses. In this function the elderly women in the community gather at the house (men are definitely excluded), the girl is given her first woni and langa (half sari which is worn by unmarried girls), rich food and other gifts. During this function the women sing songs that are extremely bawdy. To an outsider this would seem uncharacteristic of obviously respectable community members. However the function of such songs is to provide the girl's first instructions on her emerging womanhood and what her future marital duties will be.

Musical instruments are often different from those found in classical music. Although instruments like the tabla may sometimes be found it is more likely that cruder drums such as daf, dholak, or nal will be used. The sitar and sarod which are so common in the classical genre are absent in the folk music. One often finds instruments such as the ektar, dotar, saringda, rabab, and santur. Quite often they will not even be called these names, but may be named according to their local dialect. There are also instruments which are used only in particular folk styles in particular regions. These instruments are innumerable.

The instruments that folk musicians use are generally not as refined as the classical musicians use. The instruments of classical music are crafted by artisans whose only job is the fabrication of musical instruments. In contrast the folk instruments are commonly crafted by the musicians themselves.

It is very common to find folk instruments that have been fabricated of commonly available materials. Skin, peritoneum, bamboo, coconut shells, and pots are but a few commonly available materials used to make musical instruments


FOLK MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

* Bansuri - bamboo flute
* Bombashi - bamboo fipple flute
* Chimpta - fire tongs
* Daf - frame drum
* Damaru - hourglass drum
* Dhol - large barrel drum
* Dholak - barrel drum
* Dholki - barrel drum
* Dotar #1 - simple lute
* Dotar #2 (a.k.a. dotora) - simple lute
* Ektar - simple lute
* Gettuvadyam - hammered lute
* Ghatam - clay pot
* Ghungharu - small bells
* Gopichand - one stringed instrument
* Idakka and Udaku - hourglass drums
* Kamancha - simple fiddle
* Kartal - wooden clappers
* Khol - clay drum
* Magadi Vina - bamboo lute
* Murchang - jaw harp
* Naggada - kettle drums
* Nakula - bamboo lute
* Pena - simple one string bowed instrument
* Pung - drum
* Pungi - snake charmer's instrument
* Rabab - lute
* Ravanhasta - simple fiddle
* Santur - hammered dulcimer
* Saringda - simple fiddle
* Shankh - conch shell
* Thanthi Panai - pot drum


OTHER INDIAN VOCAL FORMS

* Bhajan
* Dadra
* Dhammar
* Dhrupad
* Film Music
* Gazal
* Geet
* Kheyal
* Kirtan / Dhun
* Lakshan Geet
* Qawwali
* Shabad
* Tappa
* Tarana
* Thumri

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