Indian Culture, Women
May 10, 2024Basic guide for traveling to India for the first time
May 10, 2024Indian music embraces multiple varieties of traditional music, pop music and Indian classical music.
Indian music is very diverse and rich in tradition. It dates back thousands of years and is closely linked to the country’s culture and religion. There are many different genres and styles, but some of the most popular include:
Classical Hindu: It is divided into two main traditions, Carnatic and Hindustani. Both genres are known for their complexity and their use of elaborate melodies and rhythms.
Bollywood: The music of the Indian film industry, also known as “mass music,” combines elements of classical, folk, and pop music.
Bhajan: A devotional genre sung in temples and homes throughout India.
Ghazal: A poetic genre that has developed in Persian culture and has become popular in India.
Qawwali: A Sufi devotional genre that has become popular throughout India and Pakistan.
These are just a few examples of Indian music. Each region of the country has its own unique musical styles and traditions that are an essential part of its culture and heritage.
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a traditional form of Indian classical music that originated in southern India, especially the state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the two main traditions of Hindu classical music, along with Hindustani music of northern India.
It is characterized by its use of complex melodies and elaborate rhythms, as well as its focus on vocal performance. Carnatic music singers are highly trained and have studied for years under renowned masters. Carnatic music is played at concerts, festivals and special occasions, and is highly regarded for its refinement and beauty.
In addition to vocal performance, Carnatic music also includes instruments such as the violin, the mridangam (a type of double drum), the ghatam (a type of clay pot), and the kanjira (a type of small drum). Together, these instruments create a distinctive and vibrant sound that is essential to Carnatic music.
Carnatic music is a valuable and vital form of Indian classical music that has been handed down and developed over centuries and remains an important part of South Indian culture and tradition.
Hindustani music
Hindustani music is a traditional form of Indian classical music that originated in northern India and developed at the court of the Moghul emperors in medieval times. It is one of the two main traditions of Hindu classical music, along with South Indian Carnatic music.
Characterized by its focus on improvisation and the development of melodies and rhythms. Hindustani music musicians are highly trained and have studied for years under renowned masters. Hindustani music is played at concerts, festivals and special occasions, and is highly regarded for its refinement and beauty.
In addition to vocal performance, Hindustani music also includes instruments such as the sitar (a type of plucked string), the sarod (a type of bowed string), the tabla (a pair of drums), and the tampura (a string instrument). . Together, these instruments create a distinctive, vibrant sound that is essential to Hindustani music.
Hindustani music is a valuable and vital form of Indian classical music that has been transmitted and developed over centuries and remains an important part of North Indian culture and tradition.
Bollywood
Bollywood is a term referring to the Indian film industry in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), which is the capital of Hindi cinema and one of the largest film industries in the world. Bollywood films often include elements of drama, romance, comedy and music, and are very popular in India and other countries with an Indian diaspora.
Music is an important part of Bollywood films, and songs and choreography are often a key element in the plot and promotion of the film. Bollywood music combines elements of Indian classical music, such as Carnatic and Hindustani music, with international music genres, such as pop, hip hop and rock.
In addition to songs and choreography, Bollywood films are also known for their visual style and the emotional intensity of their stories. They often include a wide variety of exciting scenes, from intense action scenes to heartfelt romance scenes.
Bollywood is a vibrant and ever-evolving film industry that has left its mark on popular culture in India and beyond, and continues to be a major source of entertainment and enjoyment for millions of people around the world.
Bhajan
A Bhajan is a traditional form of devotional music in India that is sung in homage to a god or deity. This form of music is essentially a prayer song that is sung in a group and is considered a form of meditation and connection with the divine.br>
Bhajans are sung in Sanskrit, Hindi, Gujarati and other Indian languages, and are characterized by their simple melody and devotional lyrics. The music is usually accompanied by instruments such as the drum and the zither, and the singers are usually accompanied by a chorus of followers.
Bhajans are sung in temples and at spiritual gatherings, and are an integral part of religious and devotional life in India. Additionally, they have also become an important element of popular culture, and can be found on television shows and devotional music records.
Bhajans are a valued and respected form of devotional music in India that has been handed down over centuries and remains an important part of Indian culture and religious tradition.
Ghazal
Ghazal is a genre of music and poetry popular in India and other countries in Central Asia and South Asia. It originated in Persia and later spread to other parts of Asia, including India.
Ghazal is a form of loving and reflective poetry that is composed of independent verses with a repetitive rhythm and structure. The Ghazals’ lyrics are often about love, loneliness, nature and life, and are written in poetic and emotive language.
Ghazal music is melancholic and is usually accompanied by instruments such as the sitar, zither and tabla. Ghazals are often sung at Indian classical music concerts, and can also be found on popular music records.
In short, Ghazal is an important and valued genre of music and poetry in India and other parts of Asia, and remains a popular form of artistic and cultural expression.
Qawwali
Qawwali is a traditional form of devotional music in India and Pakistan that is sung in homage to Allah and the Prophet Muhammad. It is sung in a group and is considered a form of meditation and connection with the divine.
Qawwalis are sung in Arabic, Urdu and Hindi, and are characterized by their fast rhythm and devotional lyrics. The music is usually accompanied by instruments such as the tabla, harmonium and dholak, and the singers are usually accompanied by a choir of followers.
Qawwalis are sung in mosques and spiritual gatherings, and are an integral part of religious and devotional life in India and Pakistan. Additionally, they have also become an important element of popular culture, and can be found on television shows and devotional music records.
Ultimately, Qawwalis are a form of devotional music valued and respected in India and Pakistan that has been passed down for centuries and remains an important part of the culture and religious tradition of these countries.
Notable Indian Music Artists
There are many talented and prominent artists in Indian music such as:
LATA MANGESHKAR: Known as the “Queen of Indian Song”, Lata Mangeshkar has been one of India’s most influential and popular singers for over six decades.
Born in 1929, Lata Mangeshkar has been a dominant presence in Bollywood music since the 1940s and she has sung thousands of songs in Hindi and other Indian languages.
Lata Mangeshkar is known for her beautiful and versatile voice, and her ability to sing a wide range of musical genres, from sentimental ballads to upbeat dance songs. She is also known for her work in collaboration with some of Bollywood music’s most important composers, including R.D. Burman, S.D. Burman and Shankar-Jaikishan.
Throughout her career, Lata Mangeshkar has won countless awards and recognitions, including the Padma Bhushan Medal in 1969, the Padma Vibhushan Medal in 1999, and the Bharat Ratna Medal in 2001. She has also been recognized as one of the 100 most influential women. of the world by Time magazine in 2011.
Mangeshkar is an important and respected figure in Indian music, and her impact on Indian music culture and Bollywood music is undeniable. Her musical legacy continues to inspire and delight listeners around the world.
R.D. BURMAN: Also known as “Pancham da”, he is one of the most important and successful composers of Bollywood music. Born in 1939, D.R. Burman is the son of famous Indian music composer Sachin Dev Burman.
R.D. Burman began his musical career in the 1960s and quickly became one of Bollywood’s most sought-after composers. He is known for his ability to create music that combines traditional elements of Indian music with influences from Western popular music. Furthermore, R.D. Burman is also known for his work in collaboration with some of Bollywood’s top performers, including Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar.
R.D. Burman composed music for over 300 Bollywood films and is recognized as one of the most influential and revolutionary composers in the Indian film industry. Some of the most popular films of his include “Sholay”, “Amar Akbar Anthony” and “Hare Rama Hare Krishna”.
In addition to his work in Bollywood, R.D. Burman has also been recognized for his ability to create experimental music and for his innovation in the Indian music industry. He has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Padma Shri Medal in 1971 and the Padma Bhushan Medal in 2005.
A.R. RAHMAN: Known as the “Mozart of India”, A.R. Rahman is a Grammy and Oscar-winning composer, producer and singer who has revolutionized Bollywood music.
He recognized as one of the greatest film music composers in India and around the world. Born in Madras (now Chennai) in 1966, Rahman began his career in music at an early age and quickly became one of India’s most sought-after composers.
Rahman is known for his ability to combine traditional elements of Indian music with influences from Western classical music, as well as for his innovative use of electronic instruments and music production technology. He has composed music for over 100 Bollywood films and is known for his work in films such as “Roja”, “Bombay”, “Lagaan” and “Slumdog Millionaire”.
In addition to his work in Bollywood, Rahman has also composed music for theater productions, music albums and works for orchestra. He has received countless awards and recognitions throughout his career, including two Oscars, two BAFTAs, and two Grammy Awards.
Famous for his humanity and social commitment, he has founded the A.R. Foundation. Rahman, who is dedicated to supporting talented youth from marginalized communities in India.
KISHORE KUMAR: Undoubtedly one of the most important and influential singers in Bollywood music, known for his versatility and his ability to sing in a wide range of musical genres.
He was an Indian singer, songwriter and actor who had a great influence on Hindi music and the Bollywood film industry. Born in 1929 in Khandwa, India, Kumar began his career in music in the 1950s and quickly became one of India’s most popular singers.
Kumar was known for his vocal versatility and his ability to sing a wide variety of musical genres, including bhajans, ghazals, qawwalis and film songs. He was also a talented composer and composed music for several Bollywood films.
He acted in over 100 Hindi films and sang many of the most iconic songs of the era. Some of the hits of him include “Zindagi Ka Safar”, “Ek Ladk