Hindustani Music: Melodic Traditions & Musical Styles

Introduction 

Hindustani music, originating from northern India, is a classical tradition characterized by intricate melodies, improvisation, and emotive expressions. It evolved from ancient Vedic chants and Persian influences, enriching Indian culture with its rich repertoire and distinctive ragas.

Classical Music (Shastriya Sangeet)

• Over time, two distinct schools of Indian classical music have evolved: 
• Hindustani Music (Northern parts of India)
• Carnatic Music (Southern parts of India, mostly confined to Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala)

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About Hindustani Music

• In Haripala’s ‘Sangeeta Sudhakara’(14th century AD), the terms Carnatic and Hindustani were found for the first time.
• The origin of Hindustani classical music can be traced to Amir Khusrau, who promoted the practise of performing music on specific instruments. 
• He is associated with the introduction of new ragas and the invention of the sitar and tabla.

Features: 

• It adopted the Shudha Swara Saptaka scale, also known as the Octave of Natural Notes.
• It was transmitted from one person to another through the Guru-Shishya Parampara in earlier times.
• It is played on the tabla, sarangi, sitar, flute, violin, and santoor.
• It has ten primary vocal styles – Dhrupad, Khayal, Tappa, Chaturanga, Tarana, Sargam, Thumri and Ragasagar, Hori, and Dhamar.

Major Styles of Hindustani Music

• Dhrupad: Dhrupada features a raga’s precise and orderly elaboration combined with a poetic form.
  • It is among Hindustani classical music’s most ancient and grandest styles and finds reference in the Natyashastra.  It traces its origin to the chanting of Vedic hymns and mantras (Samveda). 
  • Dhrupad has two parts, the Anibaddha section and the Sanchari Dhrupad.
  • Raja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior played a significant part in the growth of Dhrupad.
    • It attained its peak under Tansen, Baba Gopal Das and Haridas in Emperor Akbar’s court.
    • Its other proponents were Baiju Bawra and Swami Haridas.
  • Alap, the exposition that comes before the composed verses, is typically the longest part of the performance. Dhrupad emphasises a slow, meditative rendition of the alap using sacred Sanskrit syllables derived from Sanskrit mantras. [UPSC 2012]
• Khayal: It is credited to Amir Khusrau and is also called “Bandish.”
  • It is based on a collection of brief songs with two to eight lines, Khayal has a brief text and is composed in a specific raga and tala. 
    • However, it allows room for improvisation. 
  • Praise of kings, descriptions of the seasons, Lord Krishna’s antics, divine love etc., are among the texts’ principal themes. It is more lyrical than the dhrupad.
  • Major gharanas in khayal: Kirana(Awadh), Gwalior, Agra, Patiala, and Bhendibazaar Gharana.
  • Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was a proponent of the Kirana Gharana. He used ragas like Miyan ki Todi and Bhimpalasi. He received the Bharat Ratna in 2008. He is widely known for the iconic video “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”.
  • Gwalior Gharana being the oldest, is considered the Mother of all Gharanas.
• Tarana : Rhythm is extremely essential to it. Melody makes up the structure.
• • It is sung at a fast tempo and incorporates a lot of words.
• Thumri: It began in the 18th century in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, primarily in Lucknow and Benares.
• • It is a sensual and romantic singing style that is sometimes referred to as “the lyric of Indian classical music.”
  • The majority of compositions deal with love, separation, and devotion and are written in Braj Bhasha.
  • Unique feature: Stories of Lord Krishna and Radha.
  • A Khayal concert typically ends with a Thumri performance.
  • There are three primary thumri Gharanas: Benaras, Lucknow, and Patiala.
  • Begum Akhtar is amongst the most renowned singers of thumri style.
• Tappa: Rhythm is extremely crucial to it.
• • The folk songs of North-West Indian camel riders were the source of development in the late 18th century AD.
• Ghazal: A poetic rendering of the suffering caused by separation or loss as well as the beauty of love despite that suffering.
• • A Ghazal never contains more than 12 ashaar or couplets.
  • One of the earliest people to explain the art of writing ghazals was Amir Khusrau.
  • Famous personalities associated with Ghazals: Mirza Ghalib, Muhammad Iqbal, Rumi (13th Century), Kazi Nazrul Islam, etc.

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Conclusion

• Hindustani music, with its deep spiritual roots and intricate melodic structures, stands as a testament to India’s musical heritage. 
  • Its legacy continues to inspire artists and audiences alike, preserving a timeless tradition of beauty and creativity.