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Difference between Hindustani Music and Carnatic Music

India is a huge country. Since ancient times the concept of Akhand Bharat  existed, which included a lot of small states governed by individual kingdoms. It is but natural to have variety in every aspect of life, music being not an exception. However, widely speaking, the music can be divided broadly into folk and classical music. Another broad division is North Indian Music (Hindustani Music) and South Indian Music (Carnatic Music).  Though both these music have vaguely similar base and have taken birth from the same land, yet there are distinctive difference that are visible.



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Angalakshana Part 1 - Anga Pratyanga & Upanga

 The science of dance was extremely well developed in ancient India. The word  Angalakshana  (5 types) refers to the way of moving the body parts. In order to understand the concept and to perform Angalakshana, one has to understand and practice the categorization of the human body.  Types of Angalakshanam are written below. We will in-turn look at each of the Angalakshana in detail. Each and every student had to understand and practice this on a daily basis. Only after the mastering these, the Gurus would move towards teaching the students the dance numbers. Shirobhedam  Dristibhedam Greevabhedam Paadabhedam Gatibhedam  The concept of Human anatomy was  well understood in ancient India.A human body was presented as an inverted tree. This tree has roots at the top (head) and the branches (limbs) connected by the stem (body).  For the benefit of study not just for dance but for Ayurveda, spirituality etc as well the Human body was mainly divided into  3 broad divisions 1.

Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 3 - Deva Hasta

Deva Mudras are an integral part of learning Indian Classical dance. These mudras are taught at a very early age to the students in order to achieve fluency. Bhrama Hasta : Hindus believe Creation is not a simple task, infact it is not even a one man’s job. Bhrama is know as the Supreme creator. He is the first one of the Supreme Trinity. The entire World is his creation. His colour is considered as pale Red. His picture depicts him as a widely old man with wisdom. He hold Rosary, Lotus, Vedas and Kamandalu with his four hands. He is said to have written the 4 vedas and his vehicle is a white SWAN. His wife is Godessess Saraswati. He is said to be born from the naval of God Vishu. He is seen always in sitting position depicting the concentration that is required to create. Brahma temples are found outside India, such as in Thailand at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok. He is represented with Left hand holding the Chatura hasta (representing the 4 hands or 4 mouth or the 4 Vedas) and

Natya Shasatra _Slokas

Artist : Shilpi Nandi  "The joy of dance can not be explained or taught. It has to be experienced."  Following are the first few slokas of Natya Shastra. Pranamya Shirasa Devou Pithamaha Maheswarou Natyashastram Pravaksyami  Brahamanaya Duthahrutham     I bow my head to Pitamaha (Brahma – the creator) and Maheswara(Lord Siva – the creator of dance) and reveal the science of dance, drama and music (Natyasastra) as it was taught to me  by Lord Brahma. (Bharata Muni states) Devadanaam Shirasthasthu  Gurunamasya samsthithaha  Vakshasthaschaiva vipranaam   Sheshethwa niyamo bhaved     I seek blesssings and offer prayers( with Anjali hasta ) hands placed above the head for the Gods, at the forehead for the Guru’s, in front of the chest for all the elders and for all others there is no special rules. This is the basic rule for all the Indian classical dance forms of India and is commonly followed in the entire south east Asia. Vishnu shakthi samuthpannae 

Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 12 - Jaati Hasta or Varna Hastas

Since Pre - historic times, Indian society had a complex, inter- dependent and co operative political economy where each individual had a specific role to play in uplifting the society and human welfare. The caste system in ancient India was followed with precise order and instructions. One can go on and on about the intricacies of the Caste System in India. Many research in modern times have been conducted on the caste systems. For centuries, caste dictated each and every aspect of Hindu life with each group occupying a specific place in the complex hierarchy. Earliest mention of the caste system in ancient India can be found in Manusanhita (1000 years before Christ), a book written by King Manu who ruled South India and have said to migrated to North India. Jaati Hastas are very common in Indian classical dance compositions. While composing a dance drama it becomes very important to depict the characters with the help of these Hastas. These hastas in co ordination of the body

Angalakshana Part 3 - Dhristi Bhedam or Eye Movements and Bhrukuti Bheda or Eye Brow Movement

              Drishthi in Sanskrit literary meaning “Vision”. In relation to our eyes it means “sight” or “to see”. The classification of these eye movements are based on how we move the eye balls. In fact we use each of them in our every day routine. Just a matter of identifying with their names. There are eight types of Eye movements given in Natyashastras. 1. S ama : Eye kept still without any movement,Eveness of eye where the eyes are kept still. Usage : Depicting GOD,peace, pride 2. Alokita : Rolling your eye balls in a circular pattern. Usage : Showing fear. 3. Saachi : Looking through the corner of the eyes. Usage : Looking at rivals, competitors, showing shyness. 4. Pralokita : moving your eyes side to side.  Usage : taking a peak on someone. 5. Nimilita : It looks like a half shut eye. Here one tries to focus the eye ball towards the heart. Usage : Meditation, sages, showing the meditative state of Gods, Peace 6. Ullokita : Looking upwards. Usage : Showing sky, God,

Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 5 - Bandhava Hasta

Bandhava Hasta means the hand gestures that reflects the relationship. These are very important for dance compositions. These are also known as Bandhu Hastas. As per Abhinaya Darpana There are 11 Bandhava Hastas. They are as follow   Dampati Hasta   : It means married couples.This is denoted with Shikhara in left and Mrigashisya in right hand.  Matru :  Matru or mother is depicted by holding Ardhachandra in left hand near stomach(turned over) and Samdamsam in right hand. Pitru : Pitru or father is depicted by holding Ardhachandra held near stomach in the left hand and Shikhara in the right hand Sodra : Sodara means Brother. Elder brother is depicted by Myura is both the hands in front of the belly. Younger brother is shown by Mayura hands on both the sides. Putra : Putra or Son is depicted by Shikhara in left and Samdam in right held near the belly and then moved in a circular way. Snusha : Means Daughter -in - law and is depicted by showing Putra hasta and then Mrigashi