Traditional music of India and its influence on western music
Melodious, soft and full of colors, that’s how Indian music has left its footprints on the entire world, till date. It is based on true ragas that act as a groundwork for a complete musical performance. The inclusion of ragas in Indian music plays an important role due to the joy it imparts during a performance. Unlike western classical music, Indian ragas are not produced by composers; instead they are formed via a prolonged evolutionary process carried out for years long. It spreads a universal note all over the world through both personal and impersonal emotions displayed. Although there are numerous ragas but a few of them are precisely referred to as fundamental ragas. These include Dipak, Bhairav, Hindol, Megh, Malkuns and Shree. Sitar is considered to be the most vital instrument of Ragas. Vina Zither was also considered the main instrument a long time back.
With the advent of time and advancements in Indian classical music, there was a clear distinction that was observed between South Indian music and North Indian music. Though south Indians simply loved to depict their flexibility in adapting foreign music while north Indians, owing to a greater Muslim presence, were more prone to outside persuasions. Occasionally, the music was performed in courts, in small gatherings, temples and in residencies of small noblemen during the early days while today most musical shows are conducted as concerts in huge concert halls. There is a massive audience to enjoy the shows and applaud unlike the yesteryears.
Moving ahead in 1960’s, Indian classical music witnessed a completely new phase. It attracted a huge population of music lovers from the west. One could witness a blend of Indian music with the so called western music. Music albums were composed by both Indian and western musicians. This was the first time when you could see Indian music seeking western learners. This was the ideal time when you could see western music being influenced by Indian traditional music. The blend of music was now being referred to as fusion.
Indians mostly used oral techniques to teach music. They did not make use of notations as the medium of understanding, instructing and transmitting music until the 20th century. They preferred teaching in person from a teacher to a disciple. However, today there are Indian music schools that follow precise notations based on a well defined notation system.
Classifications of Indian Music
Two major forms of North Indian music comprise of dhrupad and Khyal. Apart from these there are several mid-classical and purely classical forms as well. There is an enormous Persian influence depicted in Indian traditional music with respect to presentation style, instruments and ragas such as Bahar, Bhairavi, Yaman and Hijaz. There is also an assimilation of various folk songs within Indian music. Stringed tampura, tabla, drum, harmonium and sarangi are a few very common Indian instruments. Above all, emotions have always been the basic theme of the variety of ragas in Indian classical music.
Effect of Indian music in the west
Indian music was heard for the first time in the United States in the early 1930’s. This was through a dance troupe by elder brother of the most famous Ravi Shankar, none other than Uday Shankar. His Paris based troupe had been on the world tour by then.
The long histories of countries depict that there is commonness among the people that everyone look for the world which is free of negativity. It helps to cleanse the destructive minds which have been part of the pessimism in the globe. Music will surely prove to be an instrument in bringing the chords of disruptive heart with tender and compassion. There is so much fascination for the music which is generated from day to day instruments that western singeris making them part of their music albums. These singers are identified by their audiences for bringing novelty in their music composition. The music inspires people to grow and develop positively in the world of hassle. There is an eternal motivation which helps music lovers to achieve solace of soul. Music has been a refreshing power to generate energies and help to cultivate noble virtue. Rabindra Nath Tagore who was a learner of both these music has found that the origin of both the music is from the same source of environment. The Indian music finds its motivation from the chirping birds, tattling of leaves, flowing the water of the river, laughter of children around, it has helped to look the world from a higher perspective, generating the beauty and acknowledging the passion in every action of the Almighty. Indian music epitomizes the generosity of nature by telling us that every action in this world has splendor. The Western world has a long way the good for learning the nitty gritties of this Indian creation.
Indian Music Vs Western Music
While we compare the music rhythm and melody of both Indian and music culture, we would definitely get some differences in it. The western music is a combination of a group of notes played together to form a harmony where as the Indian music would be operated in single notes with a perfect order of melody.
The eminent writer and the poet, Dr Rabindranath Tagore has got a separate explanation about the difference of both the music. According to him, the world would stand the western music in the daylight and during the night, the pure and deep raga of Indian music would play a vital role. Both the music would touch our heart yet the spirit would contradict with one another.
Inspiration led by Indian music
Speaking about Indian music, It would inspire us in a sense of being one and infinite. A listener would be drawn away beyond the boundaries once he is in a process of hearing the Indian music. Even if we are preoccupied with the daily sorrows and depression, Indian music would take us away in such a solitary place where we would eventually experience the root of the universe.
Drawbacks of western music
While listening a western music, individuals would relate the same with a secular and formal exercise. This would not include the spirituality which is included in Indian music. The western music would be based on more drum works and orchestral influence and is disliked by many individuals willing to hear the songs based on harmony and melody.
There are some notes in Indian music played by Tanpura in the background which can never be compensated with the western based music. Since the Indian music system with classical base would be in horizontal form, the notes played over here are followed by another. This creates clarity of sound and melody side by side, but since the western music is vertical, all notes can be played together in a single time.
A stage of music- far beyond passing time
Today many youths wish to hear music for making a great time pass in their leisure period. But, an individual who is having a real demand for Indian music would consider it as an art. The melodic and rhythmic features of Indian music would make an extraordinary charm for the people listening to the same. An individual who is really fond of grammar and rhythm of music will wish to get innovative forms of the same. The creativity of Indian musician would lie in improvisation of the music with mood evocation of a particular listener.
People would get variety of subtleties in the rhythm and melodies of Indian music. Since the notes are divided into various units known as shruties in Indian music, it would really provide a magical effect to the listener of the song. A person who would be listening to Indian music would also be based on discipline and sense of spiritualism. The intellectual exhibition and the technique of raga cannot be considered as an effect of time pass. Only the people who have a depth about the music and notes can get good utility from all the song notes of Indian classical music. People cannot think of dividing the sounds in block as it is refined into an effect of wire-thin thread. Individuals can get an extreme point of delicacy with the rhythm and melody of Indian music based on classical form.
Diversity in Indian Music
Since India is known by her people and the diversity in their culture, the listener of Indian music would also get the effect of various regions of the particular nation. Hindustani classical music would be predominantly based on vocal performance with the instruments based on ancient times. Another part of the nation would be focused on soul –stirring musical effects. Whether individuals would like a slow music or fast track music is entirely on their discretion. Indian music would really play a great role in presenting a vast variety of music combinations according to the notes and rhythm. The music with faster tempo is famous and popular among the people staying in south Asia. The musical instruments such as Tabla, Santoor, Veena, Shenai Bansuri includes among the other famous musical instruments from different parts of the world. The traditional and oldest musical instruments are even kept in various Indian museums to make the young generation aware of the rich Indian culture.
The string instrument would provide a soothing effect on an individual’s mind even if he is stressed out due to the work pressure of the entire day. Some Indian musical instruments have also got its origination from Persia. People from north, south, east and west part of the nation would be in oriented mind to experience the musical culture of various parts of the nation. People can experience a lot of changes in Indian music in the present days. The popularity of fusion music with the newly launched instruments has also risen in few years of musical journey in India.
Works Cited:
ITC Sangeet Research Academy, “The evolution of Indian Music” Web. http://www.itcsra.org/sra_hcm/sra_hcm_index.asp
Josh, “The Indian Music Effect”. Web. 19 February 2010 http://fretterverse.com/2010/02/22/the-indian-music-effect/
Mistry P. “Indian Music Vs Western Music”. Web. 18 June 2009 http://ezinearticles.com/?Indian-Music-Vs-Western-Music&id=2493223
Shankar R. “On Appreciation of Indian Classical Music”. Web. 13 November 2011 http://www.ravishankar.org/indian_music.html
