DIVISIONS OF INDIAN MUSIC

 Indian classical music was broadly based on two traditions,

the Hindustani classical music prevalent in North India 

and 

the Carnatic music of South India.

HINDUSTANI CLASSICAL MUSIC 

Hindustani classical music may be traced back to the period of the Delhi Sultanate and to Amir Khusrau (AD 1253-1325) who encouraged the practice of musical performance

with particular instruments. 

(He is believed to have invented the sitar and the tabla and is

said to have introduced new ragas.)

 Different styles of Hindustani music are Dhrupad, Dhamar, Thumri, Khayal and Tappa.  

CARNATIC MUSIC 

The compositions in Carnatic music may be attributed collectively to three composers who lived between AD 1700 and 1850. 

They were 

Shyam Shastri, 

Thyagaraja and

Mutthuswami Dikshitar. 

                                                                                     

 The three great musicians experimented with new forms. Some notable musicians of this period are

 Maha Vaidyanath Ayyar (1844-93), 

Patnam Subrahmanya Ayyar (l854-1902) and 

Ramnad Srinivasa lyengar (l860-1919). 

Flute, veena, nadaswaram, mridangam, ghatam are some of the instruments to accompany Carnatic music.

the Carnatic alapana is similar to alap in Hindustani classical both lay stress on talam.

MODERN INDIAN MUSIC 

Usha Uthup

With the British rule came Western music. Indians adopted some of their instruments such as violin and clarinet to suit the demands of Indian music. 

Orchestration of music on stage is a new development. Use of cassettes replaced oral transmission of tunes and ragas..

FOLK MUSIC 

Vijayalakshmi Navaneethan, 

Chinna ponnumarikolunthu, 

Villupattu

Besides classical music India has a rich legacy of folk or popular music. This music represents the emotion of the masses. The simple songs are composed to mark every event in life. They may be festivals, advent of a new season, marriage or birth of a child.  Folk songs have their special meanings or messages. 

They often describe historical events and important rituals. 

Muslims sing Sojkhwani or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZmtypVN0uc

mournful songs during Muharram and 

Christmas carols and choral music are sung in groups on the festive occasions.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSUFzC6_fp8