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Wednesday, 21 November 2012

MUSIC OF INDIA


INDIAN MUSIC

Music of India includes numerous varieties of folk, popular, pop and classical music. India's classical music tradition, including Carnatic and Hindustani music, has a history spanning millennia and developed over several eras. Music in India began as an integral part of socio-religious life and that Indian music is essentially melodic: sounds follow one another expressing an emotional state in an aesthetic unity.

Two main traditions of classical music are Carnatic music, found predominantly in the peninsular regions, and Hindustani music, found in the northern and central regions. Basic understanding of this music includes - Shruti, Swara, Alankar, Rāga, Tāla. Its tonal system divides the octave into 22 segments called shrutis, not all equal but each roughly equal to one quarter of a whole tone of Western music. Melody is based on the system of ragas.

Light Classical Music:
Light classical or semi-classical music include Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, Chaiti, Kajri, Kaththa and Tappa.

Rabindra Sangeet:
“Rabindra Sangeet” means Songs of Rabindra. It is also known as Tagore Songs, are songs written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore. They have distinctive characteristics in the music of Bengal, popular in India and Bangladesh. Rabindranath Tagore writing in Bengali, over 2,000 songs now known by Bengalis as 'rabindra sangeet' whose form is primarily influenced by Hindustani classical, sub-classical, Karnatic, Western, Bauls, Bhatiyali and different folk songs of India. The national anthem of India and national anthem of Bangladesh is Rabindra Sangeets.

Bihu of Assam:

Bihu dances and songs accompanied by traditional drums and wind instruments are essential part of this festival. Bihu is the festival of New Year of Assam falling on mid April. This is a festival of nature and mother earth where the first day is for the cows and buffalos. Second day is for the man.

Dandiya:

It is practiced in (mainly) the state of Gujrat. Actually Dandiya is a kind of dance rather than music, the music is called a Garba in local language. It is a form of dance-oriented folk music that has also been adapted for pop music. The present musical style is derived from the traditional musical accompaniment to the folk dance.

Ganasangeet:

It is generally sung in chorus carrying some social message. The songs are usually about Freedom, community strength, patriotism. Due to the British occupation in India, a lot of protest songs about anti-imperialism/pro-socialism have been written in India. Examples: Apni Azadi Ko Hum Hargis Mita Sakte Nahin, ajadee hoyni tor, Kadam kadam badhaye jaa, Vande Mataram, etc.

Uttarakhandi Music:

The folk music primarily is related to the various festivals, religious traditions, folk stories and simple life of the people of Uttarakhand. The pure and blessed music have the feel and the touch of nature and subjects related to nature. Musical instruments used in Uttarakhand music include the dhol, damoun, turri, ransingha, dholki, daur, thali, bhankora and masakbhaja. Tabla and harmonium are used lesser extent. The main languages are Kumaoni and Garhwali.

Lavani:

Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance, which particularly performed to the enchanting beats of 'Dholaki', a drum-like instrument. Dance performed by attractive women wearing nine-yard saris. They are sung in a quick tempo. It comes from the word Lavanya which means beauty. This is one of the most popular forms of dance and music of Maharashtra. Traditionally, the songs are sung by female artistes, but male artistes may occasionally sing Lavanis. The dance format associated with Lavani is known as Tamasha. Lavani originated in the arid region of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Rajasthan:

The haunting melody of Rajasthan suggests from a variety of delightfully primitive looking instruments. The stringed variety includes the Sarangi, Rawanhattha, Kamayacha, Morsing and Ektara. Percussion instruments come in all shapes and sizes from the huge Nagaras and Dhols to the tiny Damrus. Rajasthan has a very diverse cultural collection of musician castes, including Langas, Sapera, Bhopa, Jogi and Manganiyar (lit. the ones who ask/beg). Rajasthan Diary quotes it as a soulful, full-throated music with Harmonious diversity. Flutes and bagpipers come in local flavours such as Shehnai, Poongi, Algoza, Tarpi, Been and Bankia.

Some Popular Music:
Film music, Non-Indian music, Indi-pop music

Rock & metal music:
Raga rock, Indian rock

Dance music:
Indian hip hop

Jazz & Blues:

Western Classical Music:



SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI:

The National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama (in English) is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India. It was set up by the Indian education ministry in 31st May, 1952 and became functional the following year, with the appointment of its first Chairman, Dr. P. V. Rajamannar. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, inaugurated it on 28th January, 1953 in a special function held in the Parliament House. Academi's Fellowship and Award are considered very prestigious. The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is the highest national recognition given to practicing artistes. It carries a purse money of Rs. 50,000/-, a shawl, and a tamrapatra (a brass plaque). Each year the Academy also awards Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships, 'Ratna Sadsya', to distinguished individuals for their contribution to the field of arts, music, dance and theater.

Match the following Instruments with Gurus:

INSTRUMENTS                    NAME OF THE GURU

1.      Violin                                      a. Amjad Ali Khan / Budhdev Das Gupta
2.      Tabla                                       b. Bismillah Khan
3.      Sarod                                      c. Dr. L. Subramaniam / M.S. Gopalkrishnan
4.      Shehnai                                   d. Zakir Hussain / Alla Rakha
5.      Sitar                                        e. Vishwamohan Bhatt
6.      Mohan Veena / Guitar              f. Pandit Ravi Shankar
7.      Flute                                        g. Hari Prasad Chaurasia
8.      Santoor                                    h. Sabir Khan
9.      Sarangi                                     i. Shiv Kumar Sharma
10.  Piano                                       j. S. Balachander
11.  Saraswati Veena                      k. Gopalan Gownder
12.  Mridangam                              l. Kartic Trivedi

ANSWERS
1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b, 5-f, 6-e, 7-g, 8-i, 9-h, 10-l, 11-j, 12-k

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