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Music has always occupied a highly important stature in Indian culture. The music of India includes several varieties of music including folk, classical, pop and film. It is believed that the Indian music came into being with the chanting of Vedic hymns. There are references to various string and wind instruments, several kinds of drums and cymbals in the Vedas.
Bharata composed the Natyasastra (Treatise on the Dramatic Arts) between the 2nd and 5th century AD. Since then, the treatise has influenced the development of Indian music, dance and the performing arts. The term ‘Raga’, the base of the Indian music, was first discussed in the Brihaddesi, the 10th century work attributed to Matanga. Sarngadeva, the author of Sangitaratnakara listed 264 ragas in the 13th century.
The credit of introducing the system of classical music goes to Amir Khusro. Traditionally, the songs were composed in Sanskrit. But by the 16th century, they were being composed in the various Hindi dialects such as Braj Bhasa and Bhojpuri as well as Persian and Urdu. The poet-saints like Surdas, Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai made devotional songs (Bhajans) highly popular.
By the 16th century, the distinction between North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic)
music became more obvious. The tradition of classical music, including Carnatic and Hindustani music was developed over several ages. Even today, it remains deep-seated in the lives of the Indians as sources of cultural expression, religious inspiration and wholesome entertainment.
Classical music, both Hindustani and Carnatic, may be either instrumental or vocal. Traditionally, it was performed in temples, courts, residences of nobles and small gatherings (Baithaks) of music aficionados. In the present times, the classical music is performed in concerts held in concert halls.
Hindustani music took shape in northern India around the 13th and 14th centuries from existing religious, folk and theatrical performance practices. Apart from being influenced by ancient Hindu musical traditions, Vedic philosophy and native Indian sounds, it also reflects influence of the Persian performances of the Mughals.
The present form of Carnatic music is based on historical developments traceable to the 15th and 16th centuries and thereafter. Carnatic music is more about vocal music as most compositions are written to be sung. Even when played on instruments, they are performed in a singing style (Gayaki). The two elements of Carnatic music are Raga and Tala.
Indian folk music is as diverse as its vast cultural diversity. It has many forms including Bhavageeta, Bhangra, Lavani, Dandiya, Rajasthani and Bauls. Folk music has its influences on classical music as well. Instruments and styles of folk music have left their impact on classical ragas. Most of the folk music of India is dance-oriented.
Rabindranath Tagore has contributed immensely to Indian music. He created a collection of over 2,000 songs in Bengali now famous as Rabindra Sangeet. It is primarily influenced by Hindustani thumri style of music.
Ghazal , yet another popular form of music in India, is not a musical form but a poetic recitation. Ghazal traces its roots in classical Arabic poetry and was introduced in India in the 12 th century by the Muslims.
Qawwali is a Sufi form of devotional music based on the principles of Hindustani classical. It
is performed by one or two lead singers with a few chorus singers using harmonium, tabla and dholak.
In India, film music, whether in Hindi, Tamil or any of the other Indian languages, is also highly in rage. Films are seldom made without songs and these songs can be composed in any Indian form of music depending on the requirement of the movie and need of the scene.
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