Indian Music

The music of India is one of the oldest unbroken musical traditions in the world. It is said that the origins of this system go back to the Vedas (ancient scripts of the Hindus). Many different legends have grown up concerning the origins and development of Indian classical music. Such legends go a long way in showing the importance that music has in defining Indian culture.

However the advent of modern historical and cultural research has also given us a good perspective on the field. This has shown that Indian music has developed within a very complex interaction between different peoples of different races and cultures. It appears that the ethnic diversity of present day India has been there from the earliest of times.

The basis for Indian music is "sangeet". Sangeet is a combination of three art forms: vocal music, instrumental music and dance. Although these three art forms were originally derived from the single field of stagecraft. Today these three forms have differentiated into complex and highly refined individual art forms.

The present system of Indian music is based upon two important pillars: rag and tal. Rag is the melodic form while tal is the rhythmic.

Rag may be roughly equated with the Western term mode or scale. There is a system of seven notes which are arranged in a means not unlike Western scales. However when we look closely we see that it is quite different what we are familiar with.

The tal (rhythmic forms) are also very complex. Many common rhythmic patterns exist. They revolve around repeating patterns of beats.

The interpretation of the rag and the tal is not the same all over India. Today there are two major traditions of classical music. There is the north Indian and the south Indian tradition. The North Indian tradition is known as Hindustani sangeet and the south Indian is called Carnatic sangeet. Both systems are fundamentally similar but differ in nomenclature and performance practice.

Many musical instruments are peculiar to India. The most famous are the sitar and tabla. However there are many more that the average person may not be familiar with.

All of this makes up the complex and exciting field of Indian classical music. Its understanding easily consumes an entire lifetime.

Music is Everywhere

Talking or just reading about music does not communicate the feeling in the moment. May I suggest listening to something soft and instrumental as you read this?

Does someone in your family show an interest or talent in music but you feel unqualified to offer encouragement? Music can be an exciting concept. There are many books available that offer simple tools to provide fun and worthwhile communication. This can create encouragement for would-be musicians.


What if we didn't have any music? We would have no birds singing, no melodies in our hearts, no sweet sound to our ears, no lilt to our voices. What would remain?

Music is our health food. It nourishes our soul. It gives us strength and a reason to function.

"You asked me where I get my ideas. That I cannot tell you with certainty. They come unsummoned, directly, indirectly - I could seize them with my hands - out in the open air, in the woods, while walking, in the silence of the nights, at dawn, excited by moods which are translated by the poet into words, by me into tones that sound and roar and storm about me till I have set them down in notes." - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Nature forms music. Trees turn wind into music through the rustling of leaves. The wind swishes and roars. Gurgling water is music. We hear up to twelve perfect notes as a clock chimes. Whales and dolphins have a song. Silence, amidst a snowfall, is music. A crackling fire. The tap, tap, tap of rain on the roof offers musical enchantment. Children frolicking and laughing is music.

The gathering of birds in our back yard can offer a veritable symphony. Bird songs and calls inspire tribal religious chants as well as symphonic compositions.

The hum of voices in a in a large restaurant, in a telemarketing firm, or in a busy mall create music.

A brood of chickens laying eggs creates a lovely chorus with the rooster's solo adding a special touch. When other farm animals, cattle and hogs, are ready to be fed, they cry out their songs. A cat purring is offering its song.

Music surrounds us when we are willing to take time to hear it. Music plays on the stage of life for each of us.

There are natural rhythms within each geographical region of the world. Each race or tribe forms musical rhythms with nature that form philosophical and religious attitudes of that region.

There is a Oneness with Nature throughout the world, if we take time to listen. Music provides the feelings. It allows us to express our feelings, whether they are of a religious nature or of the common bond we have with our surroundings.

"...It's oh, so sad to see the summer end. And though the changing colors are a lovely thing to see, if it were mine to make the change, I think I'd let it be. But I don't remember hearing anybody asking me." - John Denver, "Season Suite"

With our Western World busyness, are we losing this connection with nature? Does music continue to reflect this bond?

Each of us may have a different definition for music, depending upon how it affects us.. Music is simply sound arranged into pleasant and fascinating formations. It plays an important part in our lives.