Music and dance in India are among the oldest forms of classical arts with traditions that date back several centuries.  Musical forms prevalent today have roots in the book ‘Samaveda’. 

Indian Music has developed within a complex interaction between people of different races and cultures.  Today Indian classical music can be classified into two broad traditions, north Indian and south India. 

The north Indian tradition is known as Hindustani Sangeet and south Indian tradition of music is called Carnatik Sangeet. Both traditions are fundamentally similar but differ in nomenclature and the way they are performed. The source of Indian dance form is the ‘Natya Shastra’, regarded as the fifth Veda, written between 2nd century B.C. and 2nd century A.D.  The uniqueness of Indian classical dance is that they are all devotional in content, using the body effectively as a medium of communication to express moods and emotions.

Indian music is based upon two pillars.  They are “ Raga”, which is the melodic form and the “Tal”, the rhythmic form.The Raga is India’s unique contribution to the world of music.  Ragas attempt to evoke the interaction of mans’ emotions with his environment.  They are sung at an appointed hour of the day or night.  Ragas are made of different combinations of some or all of the ‘sapta swara’ (the seven notes).  They are Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni.

VOCAL MUSIC

Carnatic Music
Carnatic music is considered one of the oldest forms of music in the world and it also contains a scientific approach.  This is mainly due to the contributions of inspired by artists such as Purandara Das, known as the father of Carnatic music.

Hindustani Music
Drupad is an ancient style of Hindustani vocal music.  It pre-dates other forms of vocal music like Khayal, Dadra and Thumri by a number of centuries.   In the Drupad performance, the singer is accompanied by a Tanpura and Pakhawaj.

Ghazal
It is a form of Urdu poetry that is sung.  Eloquent Shayari (poetry), gently mausiqui (music) and fragile jazbaat (emotions) combine to create the Ghazal

Qawwali
It is a high pitched and fast paced style of singing that was developed in the 13th century.  During this period, Sufism was becoming popular in India and Qawwali emerged from the mystical saying of Sufi saints.

Folk music
Folk music of India is the most natural representation of the emotions of the masses.  It resonates with the vibrant diversity of the land and the traditions of simple folk.

There is sculptural evidence from all parts of India that underlines the rich tradition of dance that flourished over a thousand years ago.  Through this evidence, we see that in ancient India dance and music were not only seen as ways to celebrate, but also as offerings of worship and thanksgiving to the deity.

CHHAU

The Chhau is a popular dance performed in Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal.  In this dance the mask holds the dominant Rasa while the body creates, projects and develops the moods.The themes are based on mythology, everyday life, aspects of nature or just a mood or emotion.

Folk Dances of India