Music is a cultural artifact that spans this entire globe. Every culture has a form of music for which it means many things. Music can be a form of storytelling, keeping ancient tales alive. Music can be a form of entertainment. Music can change listener’s emotions and can inspire. Indian culture is rich in musical history and traditions. The basis for Indian music is “sangeet”. Sangeet is a combination of three art forms: vocal music, instrumental music and dance. Over time, they have evolved into very refined and individual entities.
The most notable Indian instruments include the Tablas (thank you Emily), the Sitar, the Shehnai, and the Sarangi. These instruments have been part of the Indian culture for ages and have evolved over time to be used in multiple musical genres. Emily went into detail about the Tabla, however I would like to focus on the other instruments, and how they have found their way into mainstream music culture.
The Sitar’s early origins date back to the 13th century and the instrument has remained virtually unchanged since then. The sitar is most closely related to a modern guitar. It is comprised of a neck (Dandi), a base (Kadu), strings (Tar), and frets (Parda). The sounds that this instrument makes are beautiful and sometimes haunting. Please follow this link to listen to the Sitar. One of the foremost Sitar players from India is Nikhil Banerjee, click here. The Sitar has become more popular over time and one famous band found ways to incorporate it into their music. Check out “Across the Universe†by the Beatles.
The Shehnai is the northern Indian term for a flute like instrument. Its southern Indian name is the Nadaswaram. This instrument can be found on any sidewalk being played by professionals or peddlers. The origins of this instrument cannot be perfectly placed. The Shehnai is a wind instrument that is played with your mouth. The holes in the body of the instrument help to create the sound you hear. It is popular for snake charmers to use this instrument to entertain for a fee. Uslah Bismillah Khan is a professional Shehnai player; here is some of his work. Khan plays the instrument in a classical fashion, and the sound can be compared to the sound Dave Mason made in the Rolling Stones song “Street Fighter Man†from 1968.
Lastly, the Sarangi is an instrument that didn’t become main-stream in Indian music until the 18th century. It is the instrument whose sound is said to most resemble the human voice. The Sarangi is a bowed and string instrument and the use of two hands is necessary to making the correct sounds. A traditional rendition of the Sarangi can be found here. In 1997, the band Aerosmith included the Sarangi in their song “Taste of Indiaâ€.
Indian musical instruments have had a great impact on the evolution of Indian music, Rock and Roll, and lately American popular music. Today we hear Indian instruments in many songs and now Indian musical artists are making headway in the American music market. Panjabi MC has collaborated with rapper/business mogul Jay-Z in the song “Beware of the Boysâ€. A.R. Rahman has made a name for himself in America by making the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack a hit with songs like “Jai Ho†and “O Sayaâ€.
I hope that everyone will listen to some Indian music before we head overseas. Music allows an individual to experience the sounds in their own way. I find Indian music to be ancient, mysterious, relaxing, and entrancing. I hope that everyone gets to experience this kind of music and the sounds that these instruments make.
-Jason Silver
I agree, Jason, the Slumdog soundtrack is fantastic. Lately I’ve been getting more exposure to Indian music via music videos at a local Indian restaurant. At first the sounds and the choreography of the videos seemed a little odd to me, but I quickly came to enjoy them. I’m looking forward to more of both Indian music and some Bollywood style choreography when we settle down in India!
I agree that music is an important part of every culture, and is something that more easily flows across borders. While doing my own research on India, I came across a type of music known as “Goa trance.” Goa is a small state in India that has become famous for its wild beach parties that feature all-night sessions of trance music, dancing, and crazy glow-in-the-dark psychedelic images. Goa trance was influenced by European-style electronic music, and first became popular back in the late 1980s. This form of electronic music is an amalgamation of Euro-style techno, Indian-based trance, and spiritualistic sensations. It has been referred to as “electronic body music” (EBM) due to its association with the spiritual aspect of Indian culture and its goal of allowing the audience to feel a sensation of transcendence.
What I find interesting is how Goa trance has become popular in other parts of the world, especially Europe. In locations across the globe, Goa trance parties are held annually and attract several thousand party-goers. This is just one example of how globalization is integrating cultures from across the world. It is interesting to see music acting as the proverbial ice-breaker in terms of introducing and connecting cultures to one another. Maybe we should start sharing music with one another before we start debating foreign policy.
I have very little experience with Indian music. However, I’m sure I have heard some form of it before without even realizing it. According to Jason’s post, the influence Indian music has over so many other famous musical genres is interesting. One would never think that artists like Aerosmith or Jay-Z would use examples of Indian music within their own work; yet they have done so with much success. That is the beauty of our world today. The collaboration among many different musical styles is only becoming more and more prevalent and will create some very entertaining and beautiful musical pieces. This collaboration between musical genres is only one example of all the other collaboration taking place throughout the world between different countries, cultures, etc. I am excited to hear some authentic Indian music on our trip. Like I already said, I have never heard any of it before and what better way to really hear it than in India.
All of these instruments are amazing! I don’t make music, but I really love listening to it. I think Indian music creates some of the most thoughtful and natural sounds. It is relaxing and can take you away as you listen. As I watch clips of musicians playing these instruments I can tell they have a special respect for their respective instrument that connects them to their culture. I hope we get to see some of these instruments played live in India.
What?! No mention of Ravi Shankar? Watch him blow minds at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk60ObnbIOk
Ravi was the man who trained George Harrison in Sitar, influencing him to write songs like “Within You Without You” from Sgt. Peppers.
Indian music primarily uses melody (a string of single notes), rhythm and improvisation, and is passed down orally. In contrast, European classical music can be heavy on harmony and chords (playing multiple notes at once), and is always recorded in written notation.
Ravi himself wrote many “Ragas,” a form of Indian classical music. Ragas are usually 10-30 minutes each and are dedicated to either a person, season, or time of day. They also use ten unique scales. Major scales are used but are called Bilawal scales in Indian music. Four of the ten scales are completely unique to Indian music! For the music geeks who want to learn the notes in these scales you can find them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_%28music%29#System
If you want an introduction to Ravi’s music this is usually the album people start with:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Ravi-Shankar-Collection-Three/dp/B000TERMFI/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363658724&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=ravi+dgg+shankar
I mainly just listen to Country music. The little bit I have looked at Indian music obviously is very different. However, I think these two genres do show how music can reflect a culture. Country music is very associated with the southern US. It has strong roots and relates to the people. I am sure Indian people have this same connection to certain songs from their own culture. I look forward to hearing some of this music while on our Indian trip and seeing if I can relate to it as well.
Being from Russia music is an important part of our culture. This is why I can understand the importance India places on their music in their culture as well. I am an passionate music fan and enjoy all types and styles of music and I am sure Indian music will be no exception. I feel I can further immerse myself in the Indian culture by listening to their music and getting a better understanding of their art, music, and literature.