The History of Indian Music

Indian music is deeply intertwined with India's cultural and spiritual fabric. From sacred chants in Vedic times to the dynamic fusion of modern genres, its journey spans millennia.

Ancient Period (3000 BCE - 800 CE)

Vedic Roots and Religious Influence

• Music was integral to temple rituals.

• Mentioned in the Vedas and the Natyashastra.

• Formulation of ragas (melodies) and talas (rhythmic cycles).

Emergence of Two Traditions

• Gandharva (early Hindustani style).

• Carnatic (South Indian classical music).

• Instruments like the veena and the flute gained prominence.

Medieval Period (800 CE - 13th Century)

Bhakti Movement's Influence

• Rise of bhajans and devotional music.

• Saints like Jayadeva and Purandaradasa contributed devotional compositions.

Persian and Islamic Influence

• Introduction of new instruments like the sitar and tabla.

• Development of Dhrupad, Khayal, and court patronage under the Mughals.

Renaissance Period (13th - 19th Century)

The Carnatic Trinity

• Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri shaped Carnatic music.

• Composed thousands of krithis (songs).

Rise of Gharanas

• Establishment of distinct gharanas (schools) in Hindustani music.

• Emergence of styles like Thumri and Dadra.

Modern Period (20th Century - Present)

Indian Film and Light Classical Music

• Film composers like Naushad, AR Rahman gained fame.

• Use of modern instruments like the guitar, keyboard, and mandolin.

Globalization and Fusion

• Cross-cultural fusions with Western music.

• Digital revival of traditional music forms.

Popular Indian Musical Instruments

String Instruments

• Sitar – plucked, Hindustani staple.

• Sarod – fretless, known for deep tones.

• Veena – an ancient South Indian plucked instrument.

• Sarangi – bowed, vocal-like sound.

• Santoor – hammered zither with soft tones.

Wind Instruments

• Bansuri – bamboo flute with a mellow tone.

• Shehnai – double-reed instrument, festive.

• Nadaswaram – a powerful South Indian wind instrument.

Percussion Instruments

• Tabla – twin drums, Hindustani rhythm.

• Mridangam – primary Carnatic percussion.

• Dholak – folk drum.

• Chenda – temple drum from Kerala.

Iconic Indian Musicians and Their Instruments

• Ustad Bismillah Khan – Shehnai

• Pandit Ravi Shankar – Sitar

• Ustad Zakir Hussain – Tabla

• Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia – Bansuri

• Balabhaskar – Violin

• T.V. Gopalakrishnan – Mridangam

• Amjad Ali Khan – Sarod

Two Pillars of Indian Classical Music

Carnatic Music (South India)

Origins and Features

• Originated in South India under royal patronage.

• Purandara Dasa: "Father of Carnatic music".

Structure of a Composition

• Pallavi – opening lines allow improvisation.

• Anu Pallavi – follows pPallavi optional.

• Varnam – introductory piece in a recital.

• Ragamalika – ragas presented in succession.

Notable Artists

• Tyagaraja, M S Subbulakshmi, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer

Hindustani Music (North India)

Mughal Influence and Evolution

• The evolved post-Mughal period with Persian influence.

• Developed forms like Dhrupad, Khayal, Qawwali.

Major Forms

• Dhrupad – oldest, devotional, structured.

• Khayal – imaginative, romantic.

• Thumri – expressive, romantic/devotional.

• Tappa – fast, bouncing melodies.

Famous Artists

• Pandit Jasraj, Begum Akhtar, Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar

Key Concepts in Indian Classical Music

Indian Pop Music and Its Cultural Role

Artists and Genres

• Acts like Colonial Cousins, Lucky Ali, and Neha Kakkar

• Blends of Indi-pop, Bhangra pop, Electronica, R&B

Global Reach and Online Platforms

• Music is shared via YouTube, Spotify, and social media.

• Viral trends boost popularity among youth and diaspora.

Indian Music vs Western Music: A Comparison

Final Thoughts

Indian music, with its rich history and deep spiritual roots, stands as a powerful reflection of the country’s cultural diversity and artistic depth. From ancient Vedic chants to global fusion trends, it continues to evolve while preserving its classical foundations.

With a vast array of instruments, legendary artists, and distinct traditions like Carnatic and Hindustani, Indian music not only entertains but also inspires and connects generations across time and geography.