Music of India
If music were charted on a gender spectrum, popular theory has it that the dhrupad would fall on the masculine end and the thumri feminine, with the khayal somewhere on the continuum but tending towards the masculine. This would explain why the thumri has been at the heart of some
Music of India
Serendipity Arts, a non-profit organization for the development of arts and culture in India and the South Asian region, has launched its annual grants. The grants this year are an inclusive set of offerings that aim to benefit artists and creative professionals from various practices like music, dance, culinary arts,
Music of India
ON Stage brings you edited excerpts from the NCPA Quarterly Journal, an unsurpassed literary archive that ran from 1972 to 1988 and featured authoritative and wide-ranging articles. In a riveting overview, cultural historian Geeti Sen discusses music and musical instruments in the paintings of the Akbarnama. From contemporary sources of
Music of India
In the prestigious New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the sarangi is described as follows: “A bowed chordophone occurring in a number of forms in the Indian subcontinent. It has a waisted body, a wide neck without frets and is usually carved from a single block of wood; in
Music of India
Khayal, meaning “imagination” in Arabic, is one of the most prominent and dynamic forms of Hindustani classical music. Known for its expressive and improvisational nature, Khayal has evolved over centuries to become a versatile and sophisticated genre, allowing artists to explore a wide range of emotions and musical ideas. This
Music of India
The concept of gharanas is a cornerstone of Indian classical music, embodying the preservation and transmission of musical heritage through generations. Originating from the Sanskrit word “Griha,” meaning house, a gharana represents a distinct school or lineage of music, characterized by a unique style, philosophy, and repertoire. These schools of
Music of India
Indian classical music, a vast and intricate field, is primarily divided into two major traditions: Hindustani classical music, which is prevalent in the northern regions of India, and Carnatic classical music, which is predominant in the southern states. Both traditions share a common origin and certain foundational principles, yet they
Music of India
“The melodic character of Indian music and the harmonic character of Western music are like oil and water. They will not mix…Nor should there be any fear that one will harm the other.” — Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, 1967, The Life and Music of Ravi Shankar, Oliver Craske — Sitar maestro
Music of India
Hindustani classical music, often referred to simply as Hindustani music, is one of the two major traditions of Indian classical music, the other being Carnatic music, which is primarily associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent. Hindustani music is rooted in the northern regions of India and has
Music of India
Culture unites. It defines. It is diffusive. And it can be different. Yet, in these differences lie unity, and a shared cultural experience. Today, in the 21st century, as the global village becomes increasingly aware, and gets ready to face significant global threats together, it is imperative that cultural heterogeneity
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I. The importance of the emotional content in Indian Classical Music As any aficionado of this artistic tradition knows, the emotional factor is crucial to Indian classical music. So much so that it is often said in India that “if a performer fails to communicate emotionally with his/her audience,
Music of India
I’m sure I’m not the only one drawn to a wide palette of music, with Spotify, Apple Music, and others enabling us to indulge in our musical tastes, experimentations, and voyages. Our mini sonic labs allow us countless ways to treat and create our internal and external contexts,