Basics of Carnatic and Hindustani Classical music

Because the origins of both Carnatic classical and Hindustani classical music are the same, they share the same basic concepts. The raga is the melody and tala is the rhythmic cycle. The elements of raga can be classified as nada and sruti. A raga is constructed according to the swaras it consist. Swaras are Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Tha and Ni similar to the western C, D, E, F, G, A and B respectively. A set of these swaras can be called a sapthak. Raga can be created using five or more of these swaras either going up the scale, aaroha, or down the scale, avroha. Through its journey, Indian music has also discovered 72 melakarta ragas or ragas which touch all seven notes of a scale. Adding on, the sruti is the pitch of a particular song. Meaning that a song which is in a particular raga can be the sruti of the song. The sruti can be changed to suit the singer but the raga of the particular song cannot be changed. A singer is to sing a song sounding all the swaras the song specifies.  

History of Hindustani classical music

The history of Hindustani classical music is very similar to Carnatic classical music, in terms of the Vedic influence. After the Mahabharata war, which demolished the Vedic civilization, the music which held the principles of the Vedic teachings evolved into Carnatic music while Hindustani classical music evolved from the Indian music combined with the Persian styles of music. Hindustani classical music, often known as the music of North India is also now a part of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal. Hindustani music was born as a result of the Persian influence in India. When the Delhi Sultanate was established in North India, the Indian community there was greatly influenced by the Muslims dynasties. A lot of the cultural traditions, art and music were interchanged. The Muslims who came to India and the Hindus who were in India had a good relationship with each other in relation to music and art. When Muslim rulers came to North India, they brought Mehfils with them. Mehfils were the group of people consisting of dancers, singers, musicians and other artists. They used to perform in the courts of the rulers. If the noblemen were pleased with their performance they would be rewarded with precious jewels. As time passed by, many of the Indian musicians, mostly Hindus, came to perform in the courts. Eventually, the fusion of the two (“Indian” music and foreign (Persian) music) resulted in Hindustani classical music.

History of Carnatic Classical Music

It is believed by the historians that the Vedic civilization was established around 4000 BC where Greece, Rome, China, Egypt etc. are currently present. Sanskrit was the world – wide language which was used to recite and chant hymns. Later the Mahabharata war shattered the Vedic civilization and the Sanskrit language became non-existent. After the great war, only a small community, Hindu, spoke Sanskrit and practiced the vedic traditions. According to the Hindus, music was oriented with the first sound heard with at the beginning of the universe; Om, which has a deep connection with the divine power Naadbrahma. Belief was that, a man who is immersed in music is the one who gains eternal purification. Flipping through the history of Carnatic music, it can be discovered that the origin of Carnatic music is divine. Carnatic music is believed to be originated from the Devas (Gods) and Devis (Goddesses). The basis of Carnatic music is the hymns and the worships songs which are sung during sacrifices. The sacrifices which are called yajnas, are offered to Gods by putting agni (fire) as the witness for all the sacrifices. During these sacrifices, the songs were recited accompanied by the instrument veena. Carnatic music which also has a Vedic origin consists of rigveda, yajusveda, samaveda and athravanaveda. From the texts of the Vedas, the Sama Veda, which consists of four Rig vedas, is believed to have laid the foundation for Indian classical music. The hymns in samaveda are composed of three or seven swaras (musical notes). Carnatic music is also said to have a natural origin. Meaning that the swaras structured in Carnatic music are produced naturally from one's surrounding. The natural origin theorized that the swaras are from the birds, animals and our natural occurrences which is heard and perceived by the keen observation of humans. Music was further organized later during 600 BC. Bharata's Natyashastra is believed to have been written during this time. Natyashastra was a text which laid out the rules and/or techniques for Indian drama. These rules were always to be followed in during any performances including dance and music. Also, during this period the swaras were organized into octaves or sapthaks and some of the basics of music such as the rhythm and the tone were also understood.  

Gharanas of Indian classical music

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” Since the beginning of mankind, music has been the universal medium for sharing emotions and feelings. Despite the obstacles of the differences in culture, music has brought enemies into harmony and also has demolished differences in race or class. In India, music is believed to have unimaginable powers. The great Hindustani classical musician Tansen of Gawalior is believed to have made rainfall through his mastery of the ragas in association with his devotional beliefs. India has been the temple of music even since the Vedic ages. Millenniums later the Persian music intermingled with Indian music. Indian music thus became a ritual part of the lives of civilians in India. This also helped India to spread its cultural colors to its neighboring countries. The musical complexities in India then developed into two gharanas (or organizations) of music; Carnatic classical music and Hindustani classical music. Bharata's Natyashastra has been the origin of the musical traditions which make up Hindustani and Carnatic classical music. Even though both Hindustani classical music and Carnatic classical music share a common discoverer, the Vedic, the distinctness between them has classified them as North Indian music and South Indian music unitedly adding on to the diversity of Indian classical music.

Indian classical music

The view on Indian music has been biased in modern world. People tend to perceive Indian music as one whole concept, denying the presence of the varieties behind it. Indian music is divided into Hindustani classical music and Carnatic classical music in northern India and southern India respectively. The basis of both Carnatic and Hindustani music is believed to have been initiated from the Vedic. But, the musical ideologies shattered after the Mahabharata war. Ages after, only Carnatic music existed in India prior to the 12th century. Later, the music of Persian descent combined with Carnatic music and came to be known as Hindustani music. Both musics are enclosed of its own instruments and pioneers. These reasons underlying, the music of India is not Indian music but rather Hindustani and Carnatic music blending in to form the core of Indian classical music.