Hindustani Music – UPSC Notes – Art and Culture
Hindustani Music, one of the two prominent schools of Indian Classical Music predominantly practiced in North India, stands in contrast to the other school, Carnatic music, which finds its main expression in Southern India.
The roots of both musical traditions can be traced back to Bharata’s Natyasastra, but they diverged in the 14th century. Hindustani Music places a strong emphasis on musical structure and the potential for improvisation within it. Adopting the Shudha Swara Saptaka, or the ‘Octave of Natural notes,’ the Hindustani branch incorporates elements from ancient Hindu tradition, Vedic philosophy, and Persian influences. Over time, it has assimilated various elements from Arab, Persian, and Afghan traditions, enriching the tapestry of Hindustani music.
Passed down through the Guru-Shishya Parampara in ancient times, Hindustani music employs a variety of musical instruments such as Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar, Santoor, Flute, and violin. Central to its essence is the Raga system, a melodic scale comprising the fundamental seven notes.
Hindustani Music is vocal-centric, and its major vocal forms include khayal, Ghazal, dhrupad, dhammar, Tarana, and thumri. Tansen, a legendary figure, is often considered the progenitor of many Hindustani musical lineages.
Within Hindustani music, there are ten main styles of singing, including Dhrupad, Khayal, Tappa, Chaturanga, Tarana, Sargam, Thumri, Ragasagar, Hori, and Dhamar. Each style contributes to the rich and diverse heritage of Hindustani classical music.
Major Styles of Hindustani Music: Dhrupad
Dhrupad, one of the oldest and most majestic forms of Hindustani classical music, has roots dating back to the time of Natyashastra (200 BC–200 AD).
Reaching its pinnacle in the court of Emperor Akbar, this musical style flourished under the patronage of notable figures such as Baba Gopal Das, Swami Haridas, and the renowned Tansen, considered one of the Navaratna or nine gems of the Mughal court.
Dhrupad is a poetic form seamlessly integrated into an extended presentation style, characterized by precise and orderly elaboration of a raga. The initial exposition before the composed verses, known as alap, is typically the lengthiest segment of the performance.
Despite becoming a major form of singing in the medieval period, Dhrupad experienced a decline in the 18th century. The various styles of Dhrupad singing are categorized based on vanis or banis:
- Dagari Gharana: The Dagar family specializes in the Dagar Vani, placing significant emphasis on alap.
- Darbhanga Gharana: Singing the Khandar Vani and Gauhar Vani, they highlight both the raga alap and composed songs over an improvised alap.
- Bettiah Gharana: Known for performing the Nauhar and Khandar vani styles, they employ unique techniques known only to those trained within the families.
- Talwandi Gharana: Singing the Khandar vani, this family, based in Pakistan, faces challenges in maintaining its musical tradition within the Indian music system.
Major Styles of Hindustani Music: Khayal
The term ‘Khayal,’ originating from Persian, translates to “idea or imagination.” Amir Khusrau is credited with the establishment of this musical style.
Esteemed for providing substantial room for improvisation, Khayal is favored among artists. It revolves around a repertoire of concise songs, typically spanning two to eight lines, also known as ‘Bandish.’
Khayal compositions are intricately woven into a specific raga and tala, featuring succinct texts. These texts often encompass themes such as the praise of kings, descriptions of seasons, pranks of Lord Krishna, divine love, and the sorrow of separation.
Noteworthy gharanas associated with Khayal include Gwalior, Kirana, Patiala, Agra, and Bhendibazaar Gharana. The Gwalior Gharana, recognized as the oldest, holds the esteemed position of being considered the mother of all other gharanas.
Major Styles of Hindustani Music: Tarana Style
In the Tarana style, rhythm assumes a pivotal role within a melodic structure. Characterized by the rapid tempo at which numerous words are sung, this style places a strong emphasis on generating rhythmic intricacies. Singers specializing in Tarana require dedicated training and skills in manipulating rhythm.
An exemplary practitioner of this art is Pandit Rattan Mohan Sharma, hailing from the Mewati Gharana, who currently holds the esteemed title of the World’s Fastest Tarana Singer.
Major Styles of Hindustani Music: Thumri
Originated in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, mainly in Lucknow & Benares, around the 18th century.
- A romantic & erotic style of singing; also called “the lyric of Indian classical music”.
- Compositions are mostly on love, separation, and devotion.
- Distinct feature: Erotic subject matter portrayed picturesquely from the various episodes of the lives of Lord Krishna & Radha.
- Lyrics are typically in Brij Bhasha and are usually romantic & religious.
- A Thumri is usually performed as the last item of a Khayal concert.
- Three main gharanas of thumri — Benaras, Lucknow, and Patiala.
- Begum Akhtar is one of the most popular singers of thumri style.
Major Styles of Hindustani Music: Tappa
- In this style, rhythm plays a very important role as the compositions are based on fast, subtle, and knotty constructions.
- Developed in the late 18th Century AD from the folk songs of camel riders of North-West India.
- Great use of very quick turn of phrases.
- Some of the expounders of this style: Mian Sodi, Pandit Laxman Rao of Gwalior, and Shanno Khurana.
Hindustani Music Gharanas
A Gharana is a system of social organization that connects musicians or dancers through lineage or apprenticeship, and by adherence to a specific musical style. It functions within the guru-shishya parampara, where disciples learn under a particular guru, transmitting his musical knowledge and style.
| Gharana | Place | Founder |
|---|---|---|
| Gwalior | Gwalior | Nanthan Khan |
| Agra | Agra | Hajisujan Khan |
| Rangeela | Agra | Faiyyaz Khan |
| Jaipur Atrauli | Jaipur | Alladiya Khan |
| Kirana | Awadh | Abdul Wahid Khan |
Hindustani vs. Carnatic Style
Similarities:
- While there are stylistic differences, the foundational elements of swara, raga, and tala are common to both Carnatic and Hindustani music.
- Hindustani music traces its origin back to the Vedic period, whereas Carnatic music emerged during the Bhakti movement. Consequently, both styles share a deep association with religion.
- Both Carnatic and Hindustani music are sub-genres of Indian classical music, evolving from ancient Hindu traditions. Hindustani music, influenced by Persian and Islamic elements, emerged distinctly in North India.
- Sanskrit language scripts and Vedic traditions played pivotal roles in the evolution of both musical forms.
- Central to both systems are the concepts of melodic modes or ragas sung to a rhythmic cycle or tala.
Differences:
- Hindustani music predates Carnatic music, synthesizing Vedic chants, Islamic traditions, and Persian Musiqu-e-Assil style.
- In contrast, Carnatic music is comparatively pure and developed during the Bhakti movement in the 15th-16th centuries, gaining momentum in the 19th-20th centuries.
- Carnatic music places a primary emphasis on vocal music, with most compositions meant to be sung in the gayaki style.
- In Hindustani music, a vocal-centric approach is essential, and many instruments are designed to accompany the singer.
- Hindustani music boasts major vocal forms such as Dhrupad, Khayal, Tarana, Thumri, Dadra, and Gazals.
- In Carnatic music, various improvisational forms include Alpana, Niraval, Kalpanaswaram, and Ragam Thana Pallavi.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Hindustani Music
- What are the 5 elements of Hindustani music?
- Swara (Notes)
- Raga (Melodic Theme)
- Taal (Rhythm)
- Alankaar (Ornamentation)
- Improvisation
- Who is considered the founder of Hindustani music?
- Many musicians consider Tansen as the founder of Hindustani music. Tansen’s style and innovations have inspired many, and several modern gharanas (Hindustani music teaching houses) trace their lineage to him.
- Who is the father of Hindustani song?
- Purandaradasa, also known as Purandara Vittala, is regarded as the Father of Carnatic music, a distinct tradition from Hindustani music.
- What are the major vocal forms associated with Hindustani music?
- The major vocal forms associated with Hindustani classical music include khayal, Ghazal, dhrupad, dhammar, Tarana, and thumri.
- Who is considered the king of Hindustani music?
- Mian Tansen, born in the 15th century, is often referred to as the Monarch of Hindustani Music. He was a prominent Hindustani classical musician and a key figure in its history.
- Who is considered the father of music?
- Johann Sebastian Bach, a renowned German composer and musician from the Baroque period, is often regarded as the father of music for his profound contributions to classical music.
- Who is the father of Indian music?
- Purandar Das, a saint from Karnataka, is known as the father of Carnatic music, a classical tradition distinct from Hindustani music. He introduced the Raga Mayamalavagowla.
- Who is considered the queen of Hindustani music?
- Girija Devi, an Indian classical singer of the Seniya and Banaras gharanas, was dubbed as the ‘Queen of Thumri’ for her significant contributions to the genre and her performances in classical and light classical music.
