Monday, February 11, 2008

History of Indian Music

Indian music is regarded as one of the oldest in the human race and reflects the rich cultural and traditional values of the country. The history of North American Indian music is as old as the history of the state itself. According to Indian mythology, the Godhead sage Narada was the first sage to whom the laws of music were revealed and he brought the fine art of music from celestial sphere and introduced it to Earth. Tumburu is considered as the first vocalist ever to utilize the fine art of music for singing. Goddess Saraswati is considered as the goddess of music and learning. It is believed that the sacred sound 'Om' is the holy beginning to all other sounds and music on this earth.

History of North American Indian music days of the month back to the prehistoric modern times when the Vedas were created. The colloquial term for music 'sangeet' includes vocal vocalizing and instrumental music accompanied by dance. Historically, devotional Indian music was played in the royal tribunal and temples of India, and anthems were written by learned work force especially appointed for this very purpose. North American Indian music have two of import elements -- the 'raag' and the 'taal'. While 'raag' connotes melodic manners used in North American Indian classical music, 'taal' connotes the beat of music.

The musical chanting of the Samaveda and instrumental music characterized the vedic music that became celebrated between 1500 B.C. and 500 BC. Marga sangeet became celebrated during the time period between 500 B.C. and 200 BC. During this period, Ramayana, the unwritten epic, was composed by the sage Valmiki in the word form of musical verses.

The time time time period between 200 B.C. and 300 ad is the period when music and dance gained prominence. Chhalikya, a genre of songs in the ancient Gandharva manner of music devising (the techniques of playing musical instruments), and the Hallisaka dance gained a batch of popularity during this period.

The time time period between 300 ad and 600 ad was celebrated for the great musical plant of Kalidasa. During this time period the Gupta male monarches popularized music in sacrificial areas, temple premises, phases and in the royal courts. Temple spaces were used to make and popularise new genre of music. Music was popularized through the Puranas. Sama-gayan evolved into the mainstream music of this period. Dattilam, the musical text edition helped develop the melodic jati-gayan.

The time period between 600 ad and 1700 ad was heavily act upon by the Mughal culture. With the invasion of the Mughals, the music of northern and cardinal Republic Of India got heavily influenced by Arabic Language and Irani civilizations and led to the birth of a new word form of music known as Hindoo music. However, the music of South India, known as Carnatic music, never got influenced by any encroachers and stays the same till this day.

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