Is Indian Classical Music the Basis of All the Other Forms of Indian Music?

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni, the seven notes are the basic units of music just like atoms are the basic units of matter and cells are the basic units of life. Without these seven notes, music can't be imagined and having a grip over these notes can make you understand music.

The art of music has been existing in India since very early times. There was a time when there was no technology, no modern civilisation, no luxurious lifestyle, but there was music. There are some Indians who don't just respect but worship music. For them music is equivalent to God. 

India has given us such vibrant music and musical instruments, be it Tansen or the Goddess Saraswati’s Veena. With time everything changed, westernisation entered India, music also got some western touches but the importance of Indian classical music remained the same. The music lovers are still listening to those classics rather than modern hip hop.

At Least I believe that classical music is like the alphabet, you can’t learn music by heart without learning the classics. 

Indian Classical Music: History

Indian classical music has got its roots from the vedic literature and sanskrit texts. The two elements of classical music are raga and tala. When a musician learns to make harmony with both of them, he/she learns the music. One of the four Vedas, the samveda is structured entirely to melodic themes.

Indian classical music is broadly divided in two forms- The Hindustani music and the Caranatic music. Hindustani music primarily belongs to North India while Carnatic belongs to South India. 

Music is also a major part of Indian tradition. No matter if you know anything about raga and tala or not, you must have been singing aartis, bhajans, and mantras since childhood. In the history textbooks, we all have heard how the bhakts like Chaitanya and Meerabai devoted their lives singing bhajans in praise of Lord Krishna. Goddess Saraswati has always been worshipped by the Hindus as the Goddess of music.

We all have been listening to the stories of Shri Krishna playing flute since childhood, if we believe it, it proves that music was there in India since the earliest of the times. 

If we talk about the Mughal period in India, we all have read about Tansen in our history textbooks. He was believed to be one of the greatest musicians/singers of all time. 

There are more and more evidences of Classical music being a part of India since the earliest times.

What Are the Gharanas?

Basically, the term Gharana refer to some place in Indian subcontinent from where a kind of music originated. Gharanas are usually a part of Hindustani music. These Gharanas are like schools where they teach classical music in a traditional way. Tansen is considered as the founder of most of the Gharanas. 

In a more convenient way, we can describe Gharana as a lineage. IN earlier times, music was there in families. It means, if one Guru has enormous talent in music, he wanted to give it to his next generation. In this way a lineage in the family was drawn. The Guru used to teach other students as well, but he used to keep one speciality (any raga) to teach to someone from his family only. In this way, that Gharana used to become the owner or we can say the originator of that raga.

Classical Music in Bollywood

As I am a prominent listener of Indian music or Bollywood music, I can say that classical music is an important part of Bollywood music. 

Don’t you feel a classical touch when you listen to “Sajra Savera Mere Tan Barse….Kajra Andhera Teri Jalti Lau…. Katra Mila Jo Tere Dar Par Se…... O Maula... Maula... Aaa…” from the song Kun faya kun by A.R. Rahman or “Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajna….. Angana phool khilenge…. Barsega saawan, barsega saawan…… Jhoom jhoom ke….. Do dil aise milenge” from the movie Jab We Met. 

Of course you do. I gave these examples so that you can relate to what I am saying. Classical music is the basis for every other kind of music (this might be false for some new songs). Initially, Bollywood used to keep the classic and the seven notes in mind while making music. And that’s the reason why music lovers like me are fans of old bollywood more than the current one. 

If I ask you when you listen to music, I will get answers like “whenever I feel low”, “whenever I want to be relaxed”, “whenever I am out of sleep” etc. You know why? Because music is expected to calm you down. And seriously, how can some loud, hip hop music or rap make you calm? So, here comes the need for classics. 

I am not saying the western music or modern music is not good. They are good at their places but classical music remains the classic.

 Written By: Nidhi Jha