History
The music of India - its history is too complex to be described briefly. Indian
Music has a very long unbroken tradition, the accumulated heritage of centuries. The
culture of India today is an outcome of the interaction and interweaving of cultures.
The origin of Indian Music is said to be rooted in the Vedas. It is said that God himself
is musical sound therefore the origin of Indian music is considered desire. The most
important advances in music was made between the 14th and 18th centuries.
Influences
The tradition of Indian music should be understood in the context of Indian life
and thought. The theory - practices Indian music is a consistent development, a
distinctive process which plays an integral part in Indian history.
The music of India is a pervasive influence in Indian life. It pervades the big and small
events of life from child birth to death.
Types
The Indian classical music is categorized under two genres :
1) The Classical Music 2) The Karnatic Music
North Indian Music is popularly known as the Hindustani music and the south Indian as
Karnatic. Their origin is the same, only the approach and the styles are different. The
Hindustani Music is based on the ragas system (Melodic scales) that is consisting of notes
from the basic seven known as, sa re ga ma pa dha ni. While Karnatic Music is based on the
system of ragas (Melodic Scales) and talas (rhythmic cycles).
It is interesting to note that influence of music in sculpture and painting. Painters have
portrayed the theme of the Raga and have named their painting after the Ragas and Raginis.
Another part of Indian Music is folk music. Indian Classical Music is said to have evolved
not of the mixture of these. Few centuries ago the essential role of music of India was
deemed to be purely ritualistic. Music as entertainment is supposed to have evolved much
later. Indian classical music has become unique in the world.
