Music, a gift of Almighty is an outstanding art even before the birth of the human beings– anahata nada or the music of the cosmos precedes Man ….Ahata nada or man made music is as old as the human race…..Helps to commune with God
God himself is personified as Nada Brahma and music is divine…right from the ages music was never considered as separate from religion…..
The often quoted Sloka…. “ Naham vasami Vaikunthe no Yogi hridaya ravu
Mad bhaktha yatra gayanthi tatra tishtami Narade”
Various Legends associated with Music
One legend says that Lord Brahma, the Creator taught music to Lord Shiva, who gave it to SARASWATI, the Goddess of Learning (Veena Pustaka Darini)
From then on music came to be handed down in succession to sage Narada, Celestial Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Bharata and Hanuman who came to earth to propagate among the people
Another legend – Lord Shiva is said to have granted music to Narada as a reward for his penance
Once Lord Shiva was inspired to create the Rudra Veena and different ragas are said to have emanated from five directions – Bhairav from the East, Hindol from the West, Megh from the South, Deepak from the North and Sri from the sky above.
Music in Medieval India
Sharangadeva’s Sangeetha ratnakara- sound and scientific basis to music – Theoretical foundations to both the music schools.
Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda ---has songs in the form of sonnets…These songs were in tunes based on jati music and were known as Prabhandas…Gradually Sanskrit poems rendered into Bhraj bhasa…Musical style…. Dhrupad.
Reign of Aladdin Khilji – great development in Music.
His minister Amir Khusrau – credit of composing many melodies and great deal to the rhythmic patterns
Music in Medieval India
His greatest inventions were Sitar and Tabla musical instruments
Inventions of Amir Khusrau style…Ghazals, Qwwab, Tarana, Khamsa and Kayal.
Towards 15th century Lochana Raga Tarangini…advocated Group System or ‘Thaat’ as the origin of Ragas…
Sultan Hussain Sharqi patronized Khayal style of singing in Jaunpur
Music under Mughals
Great impetus to Bhakthi concept was given from the end of 15th century and this helped to the spread of Classical music to the masses….path to reach the Supreme
Sufism led to the introduction of musical instruments which were used in Qwwalis in praise of God – amalgamation of both the cultures
Emperor Akbar (AD 1556-1605)…Music reached its zenith…a great connoisseur of art and culture particularly the Classical music…Thirty six experts in the art of music..Chief among them were Tansen Baiju Bawra and Ramdas
Music in South India
References to Music could be seen in Sangam literature
Carnatic music – played a significant role in the courtly life of the kings – gave lot of impetus to dance and music
Bhakti movement –Post 10th century saw the growth of Hymn singing in temples as temples became a important cultural centers
References to Music could be seen in Sangam literature
Carnatic music – played a significant role in the courtly life of the kings – gave lot of impetus to dance and music
Bhakti movement –Post 10th century saw the growth of Hymn singing in temples as temples became a important cultural centers
Tanjavuru Andhra Rajula caritra gives us elaborate descriptions of Tanjavur rulers like Sevappa and Raghunatha Nayakas as patrons of Music and arts
Tanjavur paintings give lot of importance to music and its growth in 17th and 18th centuries
Six principle styles of Classical Hindustani Music
Dhrupad
Dhamar
Kayal
Tarana
Tappa
Thumri
Carnatic Music – gave scientific basis to classical Music
Hindustani Music – gave prominence to aesthetic aspect
A 19th Century evolution
Pandit S.D. Batish playing a rare Vichitra Veena
Made of Tun wood
HARP
Harp – a typical medieval instrument which was used by the sufis for their samas – musical recitations and Qwwalis
Damaru and Flute instruments
In Hinduism, the damaru is known as the instrument of the deity Shiva, and is said to be created by Shiva to produce spiritual sounds by which the whole universe has been created and regulated.[citation needed] In Tibetan Buddhism, the damaru is used as an instrument in tantric practices.
The flute is a family of musical instruments in the woodwind group. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening.