How is classical Indian music created?
By Indian music we are referring to the music of the sub-continent encompassing north Indian music (or Hindustani music) and south Indian music (or Carnatic music). The aesthetically pleasing effect of combining the basic elements of melody, rhythm and harmony can be called music.
Melody, or the expression of single tones, is created in Indian music by the use of several different instruments. Among those in common use today are sitar, santoor, sarod, violin, bansuri (Indian flute) and most often as a melodic accompaniment instrument, the Indian harmonium. The concept of raga governs melodic form.
Several percussion instruments are used to create rhythm. In north Indian music, the tabla is most often encountered whilst the mridangam performs the same function in the south Indian tradition. The concept of tal governs all forms of Indian rhythm. See also the wikipedia for a description of tal.
The history of harmony dates back several hundred years and today it forms the bedrock of most forms of popular and classical music in the Western tradition. Harmony in Indian music has been developed only to the extent of the use of the drone. The drone provides rich harmonic overtones of the keynote or tonic of a raga. The instrument most commonly used to achieve this effect is the tanpura.
In combination these instruments would provide the necessary elements to create Indian classical music.
A short clip of an Indian classical sitar piece in raag pilu played by the late maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan.
It represents an example of an Indian music piece combining
sitar (melody)
tabla (rhythm)
tanpura (harmony)
The late great Ustad Vilayat Khan (below)
