Mains Daily Question
March 4, 2024
Q1. What are the key differences we can find between Carnatic and Hindustani musical styles? Why do we find Gharana Systems in full force in Hindustani music, whereas they are absent in Carnatic music? (10M, 150W)
|
Approach to the answer: Understanding and structuring the answer: The question has two parts 1) Key differences between Carnatic and Hindustani musical styles 2) Why Gharana Systems is present in Hindustani music but absent in Carnatic music Introduction: Mention about India’s rich heritage of music and its origin which dates back to vedic period. Body: Address the demand under three headings Heading 1: Main difference between Hindustani and Carnatic music systems Heading 2: Why Gharana system is found in Hindustani music system Heading 3: Why Gharana system is absent in Carnatic music system Conclusion: Mention that the distinct features of both the systems are because of their historical and geographical background and they both exhibit both rich and distinct characteristics. |
Answer: India is home to an extensive musical heritage that dates back centuries. According to mythology, Narada Muni (sage) introduced the art of music to earth. The Traces of music are found in the Vedic times. All seven notes of the raga are found in the Samaveda. The science of music called the Gandharva Veda is an Upaveda of the Sama Veda. Over time the main style of Music have been developed in India as Carnatic Music and Hindustani Music.
The main differences between the two music systems can be understood as:
|
Main Aspect |
Carnatic Music |
Hindustani Music |
|---|---|---|
|
Influence |
Purely Indigenous |
Arabian and Persian |
|
Freedom to artist |
No freedom is given to artist to improvise |
Freedom is given to artists to improvise |
|
Gharanas |
No freedom is given to artists to improvise. So, there is no concept of different Gharanas in Carnatic music |
As freedom to improvise is given. So, different Gharanas have been developed |
|
Musical instrument |
Mridangam is usually played but more emphasis is given to vocal chords |
Here equal importance to both musical instruments and vocal aspect is given. Sitar, tabla, sarangi |
|
Ragas |
72 Melakarta ragas have been developed |
6 Main ragas have been developed. |
|
Time adherence |
No adherence to time |
As mainly developed in Courts, so strict time is followed |
|
Main instrument |
Mridangam, Veena, and Mandolin |
Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar and Santoor |
|
Areas |
South India |
North India |
|
Commonality |
Violin and flute |
Violin and flute |
Gharana system is found in Hindustani music system because of following reasons:
- It encourages the modification and embellishment of compositions, by adding the musical expressions and interpretations of the individual artists.
- While the basic underlying melodic structure of a composition might be the same, every artist is allowed to sing it differently.
- Musicians from certain parts of the country who were learning from each other eventually created the system of Gharanas.
- This meant different singing styles, different fingering (for the instrumentalists), etc. So, In Hindustani music, this huge scope of improvisation has led to the different Gharanas like Agra, Bettiah, Talwandi, Dagar etc.
Gharana system is not found in Carnatic music system because of following reasons:
- In carnatic music only one type of singing style is prescribed which is strictly followed. So, the scope of improvisation is not available, that's why Gahranas are not found in the Carnatic music system.
- Carnatic musicians believe in upholding the sanctity and purity of the compositions that great saints like Thyagaraja created.
- So, generation after generation, musicians have maintained the exact same way in which a composition has been rendered, without changing so much as a single note or glide.
Therefore, the key distinctions between Carnatic and Hindustani musical styles are rooted in their historical development, geographical influences, and structural elements. While both styles are rich and profound expressions of Indian classical music, they exhibit several notable differences.
