Indian Music
Indian Classical Music is a Vast Ocean considered to be Anaadi { Beginningless]
Revelations by tradtionalists. Shruthi, Raag[am], and Thaala{m], are the three major aspects of Indian Classical Music. Shruthi may be roughly called the Drone! Shruthi in Sanskrit { and in many Indian Languages ] means A Revelation heard.
Rig, Yajur Saama, and Atharva are the four Vedas [ vid ~ to Know ] Revealed and hence Shruthi. In Indian music Tampura (Tanpura) plays the Shruthi. It may be roughly treated as a static cord in western music terminology.
The Saptha Swaras [ The seven basic notes ] make the Raag[am]. But the Raaga or Raagam is not simply an ascending and descending scale of fixed notes. It has a unique Bhaavam[ Mood Expression, Life]. There are Innumerable Raagam[s].
Thaal[am] is the Rhythmic Gait [ Beat roughly ]
But unlike western beats which are near here cyclic rhythms are used, which in extravagant theoretical way we can assert there are infinite Thaal[am]s. But then few finite easy ones are practised generally.
Technically twenty two Shruthis are practised. Or basic drone pitch.
There are two very major distinct styles of Indian Classical Music practised.
Karnaatik [South Indian] and Hindusthani [ North Indian].
The Hindusthani music has two major branches the older traditional “Dhrupad” style and the later “Khayaal” style. The semi-neo classical Thumri, Ghazal, Tappa Tarana, Quwaali etc. are secondary off shoot genres. Bhajans are a traditional genre sung in Dhyaana[m] and prayer.
All these use the Raag[am] and Thaal[am].
Raag [ Hindusthani ] Raagam [ Karnaatik ] , Raga ~ This word can variously mean colour, design, symmetry, organization. desire, etc ~
Thaal [ Hindusthani ] Thaalam { Karnatik } ~ Is Rtam Rhythm. That which is intrinsic to things.
The music exists in reference in the Indian Religio-mystic context as “Naada Brahman.”
“Naada” is eternal indivisible resonant sounds soaked in innumerables silences.
Brahman is All this and Not All This.
The Turiya Awastha and Aum [Pranava] too.