Music of India

Brief History
The culture has provided a lot to worlds culture today Indian.
Indian history began with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization in such sites as Mohenjo-Daro,
Harappa, and Lothal, followed by the coming of the Aryans.
By the early part of the twentieth century, a nationalist movement had emerged; and by 1919-20,
Mohandas Karamchand ('Mahatma') Gandhi had emerged as, if not the virtually undisputed leader of
this movement, certainly its most well-known and formidable architect.
Indians studied three different kinds of religion, some studied Hinduism, some studied Buddhism and
others studied Sikhism.
Religion
Indians studied three different kinds of religion, some studied Hinduism, some studied Buddhism and
others studied Sikhism.
India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, with some of the most deeply religious
societies and cultures.
Citizens
India has more than two thousand ethnic groups and every major religion is represented.
India is the world's second-most populous country.
Famous Personalities
Shah Jahan -the fifth Mughal emperor and most prolific builder in Indian history.
- built the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal.
Mumtaz Mahal - The Queen in whose memory Taj Mahal was made by Shah Jahan and who ruled in the
hearts of her people
Mother Theresa - The kind mother of all who was awarded Noble Peace Prize for her works of Humanity.
Mahatma Gandhi - The Father of the Nation, who got India its Independence.
Caste System
- Caste systems involve the division of people into social groups (castes) where assignments of rights are
determined by birth, are fixed and hereditary.
Five main divisions are present in the caste system:
Brahmans - Priest
Kshatriyas warriors and rulers
Vaishyas skilled traders, merchants, and minor officials
Shudras unskilled workers
Pariahs outcastes, untouchables children of God
Interesting facts
Snakes and Ladders originated in India
The human calculator
Chess was invented in India.
India has a spa just for elephants
Music of India
- The oldest in Asia, Indian music is based on traditional melodies which are religious in origin.
Vedic Chants music used for religious activities. It is accompanied by string instruments and drums.
2 Fundamental Elements of Indian Music
1.) Raga (Melody) - The raga is a specific arrangement of tones.
Tonal System of India
- It has seven tones. The first and fifth tones are used as pitch centers.
Sa Re Ga Ma Da Dha Ti
Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti

Two important tones of Raga

1. Vadi or the principal Tone
2. The Sam Vadi 2nd most important
2.) Tala (Rhythm) - a traditional rhythmic pattern in classical Indian music.
- The sum total of the different beats repeated in some parts of a composition.
Rhythmic patterns of Tala
Dadra 6 repeated beats (sum(X) 1, khali(O) 4)
Kehrwa - 8 beats repeated (sum(X)1, khali(O) 5)
Tintal 16 repeated beats (sum(X)1,5,13, khali(O) 9)
Jheptal 10 beats (sum(X)1,3,8, khali(O) 6)
Dupak - 7 beats (sum(X)1,5,13, khali(O) 9)
Ektal - 12 beats (sum(X)1,5,9, khali(O) 3&7)
Dipehandi 11 beats (sum(X)1,6, khali(O) 8&11)
Shamar - 14 beats (sum(X)1,6, khali(O) 11)
Symbols used in tala
X sam
- the main stress of the tala, showing by clapping hand
O - khali
- "empty" beat, showing by waving hand
Musical Instruments of India
(refer to your book on page 7-9)