Music of India

• history goes back 5000 years; during that time there has been lots of impact by outsiders
• "recent" influences: Islamic Conquests, British Colonization
• 20% of world's population (700 Million) lives in India; area is less than size of United States
• Many kinds of music: popular, folk and "classical"
• Popular example: "Cine" music, from movies
• instrumentation includes western and traditional Indian instruments
• vocal ornamentation is related to Indian classical ornamentation
• Folk Music example: street music with singing accompanied by traditional instruments
• songs are often narrative and include ancient myths or religious gtories
• instrument is a Kudam: clay pot acts as resonator; string is manipulated by hand to change pitch
• Drumming Ensemble example: Panchavadyam is the name of the ensemble
• example is a small excerpt of ritual music that continues through the night
• non-developmental in any Western sense
• uses repetitive rhythmic patterns
• beat is clearly identifiable, but texture changes continuously
• this music was studied by Western composers and became the basis of Minimalism
• Characteristics of Indian Classical Music
• Classical tradition is ancient: earliest treatises date to 300-400 BCE
• 2 main divisions: north India has Hindusthani tradition; south has Karnatic music
• North music was influenced by Islamic conquests; south is relatively free of outside influence; religion is predominately Hindu
• Karnatic music has three main elements: melody, drone and rhythm
• Music is often a mix of pre-composed and improvised