Indian Traditions of Performing Arts - Indian Music

Indian Music:

• The earliest tradition of Indian music may be traced to Sama Veda which contained the slokas that were put to music.
• The earliest treatise on music, drama, and dance is Bharata’s Natyashastra
• The seven swars of music – Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni represent different scriptural deities: SA – Agni, RE – Brahma, GA – Saraswati, MA – Shiva, PA – Vishnu, DHA – Ganesha, NI – Surya

A. Indian Classical Music:

The origins of Indian classical music can be traced back to the recital of Vedic hymns in Hindu temples. Indian classical music during the Middle Ages was mostly centered on two traditions: the popular Hindustani classical music of North India and the Carnatic music of South India.

Folk Music 

• Folk music, as opposed to established classical music, is the music of the common people.
• It gets its name from the German word volk, which means 'people.'
• Folk songs can include unique messages or meanings. They frequently talk about significant ceremonies and historical occurrences.
• They may be festivals, the advent of a new season, marriage, or the birth of a child.
• The forms of folk song in different provinces like:
  

  State	Folk songs
  Rajasthani	Maand
  Bengal	Bauls, Bhatiali
  Haryana	Ragini
  Kashmir	Gulraj
  Madhya Pradesh	Pandavani
  Maharashtra	Powada, Keertan, Jagar, Gondhal

Do you know? 

• A book titled "Kitab-e-Navras" was written in Dakhani Urdu by Ibrahim Adilshah II, the ruler of Bijapur.
• This text discusses classical music from India. It enables the listener to delight in outstanding poetry and includes verses performed in the Dhrupad style.
• Dr. Sayyad Yahya Nashit initially translated this work into Marathi. The editor of it is Dr. Arun Prabhune. The translation of the verse printed on the cover of this text reads as follows: 
  ‘‘Oh, Mother Saraswati, you are the divine light in the world and you are complete with all qualities. If Ibrahim receives your grace (blessings), the poetry of the navras will become eternal.’’