Difference Between Hindustani Music and Carnatic Music

Hindustani Music and Carnatic Music are fundamentally different from one another since Hindustani music is the term for the classical music of Northern India, whilst Carnatic music is linked with Southern India. Two of the main lineages of Indian Classical Music are the music of Hindustani and Carnatic. Let’s learn about these two term in details below:

The following is a brief introduction to the topic:

The art of music is represented as a cultural activity. Music is the creative expression of emotions and ideas through sound. Music is composed of rhythm, pitch and dynamics as well as sonic characteristics of texture and tone.

The music is an international phenomenon that is present in every culture and country. In India, music is an important part of the socio-religious culture. There are many types of music in India: Indian pop, Indian Rock, Bollywood, Indian Pop, Indian Classical, etc. Hindustani and Carnatic are the two main types of this music.

Carnatic music and classical music are both forms of Indian music. The two forms of music are distinct in their styles, features and other aspects. Carnatic is the music of south Indian states such as Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka, Kerala, and Karnataka are also home to Carnatic. It is actually more popular than Hindustani Classical in the north of India.

Hindustani music is also known as classical music. Carnatic is also classical music. Carnatic music is similar to classical in that the emphasis on the lyrics of the songs during performances are more prominent.

In the Carnatic Style, a song must have a Pallavi (or Anupallavi), and at least one Charanam. In the Carnatic Style, each of these components of the song are given equal importance. Classical music is different. The classical musicians actually give greater importance to raga music.

Carnatic Music has its own method of defining raga. This is done at the start with alapana. Alapana is the development of the specific raga within which the Kriti was composed. Pallavi is played after the alapana. Niraval is then followed by Kalpita accompanied Svaras. Manodharma singitam is the foundation of Carnatic Music.

Manodharma, the creative part of Carnatic Music is called Manodharma. He is allowed to experiment with the raga, its various aspects and conclude his exploration of the music by composing the Kriti. The musician is free to select the niraval either from the anupallavi, or the charanam. Carnatic compositions were a great success for some Vaggeyakaras who excelled at both writing and singing.

Tyagaraja was one of many composers who worked in Carnatic style, including Syama Sastri. Swati Tirunal and Gopalakrishna Bharati were also among the others.

The History of Indian Music: Major Periods

• The history of Indian music can be broken down into three main periods. These are: Ancient, Medieval and Modern.
• Ancient music spans the period from Vedic Age up to Sangita Ratnakara.
• In the late 14th century it was finally decided to divide Indian music into two distinct branches, Hindustani and Carnatic .
• These two branches have evolved, and are now firmly established.
• Numerous musicologists, composers, and musicians appeared in this period and contributed to the development of the concept of Raga and Tala.

Indian Music

In the Middle Ages, Indian Classical Music was classified into Carnatic in South India and Hindustani in North India.

Swara, Raga and Taala are the three main pillars in Indian music.

Swara : Musical notes of pitch or tone. Twelve of the 22 main notes are known as Swarasthana and all others are Ragas.

Raga : basis of melody. Each raga contains at least 5 swaras. A combination of swaras generates melody.

Taala :Basis for rhythm. This is an arrangement of rhythms.

There are many types of a variety

• Classical – Hindustani and Carnatic
• Modern – Jazz, Blues, etc.
• Folk Music
• Other (fusion of classical and Folk) – Sugam, Rabindra, Rabindra, etc.

Hindustani Music

Hindustani music is classified as classical in the northern areas. Hindustani is also known as Northern Classical Music and Hindustani Kshatriya. Hindustani originated from northern India in the 12th Century CE. Hindustani is a good example of ragas that have been improved and explored. Hindustani, or the melodic musical raga Tala sings, is Hindustani. Hindustani has no concept or method of harmony.

Hindustani principles are refined during the periods of Natya-Shastra and Dattilam. Music styles with gharanas began to emerge in the 16th Century. Many princely courts use it. Vishnu Narayan Bhathhande called some gharanas thaats in 1900 based on notes. It is sometimes a flawed system but the gharanas are its heuristic.

Northern India underwent various cultural exchanges in the Mughal Empire. In the past, music was a separate art. Musicians of the first generation adopt new methods from other countries and enhance traditions and cultures. In many ways, they are instrumental in the spread of kingdoms. The guru-shishya technique is used to impart Hindustani Music one-on-one. The method is not without its disadvantages. Raja Chakradhar Singh Raigarh was the last modern-day king to patronize Hindustani musicians.

• Originated in the Delhi Sultanate Period.
• The music is heavily influenced by Persian and other types of music.
• Hindustani music includes Dhrupad (also known as Hindustani Dhrupad), Khayal (also called Hindustani Dhrupad), Tarana (also known as Hindustani Thumri), Dadra and Ghazals.
• Tabla, Sarangi and Santoor are all instruments used.

Features of Hindustani Music

• Raga System:Hindustani Music is based upon the raga. Ascending and descending patterns of notes can also affect the form of a raga, even if they are not strictly linear.
• Hindustani Classical Music is primarily vocal. Hindustani music is characterized by the khayal (or Ghazal), dhrupad (or dhammar), Tarana and thumri.
• Dhrupad styles: The Dhrupad is a style of singing that men use a tanpura, pakhawaj and other instruments.
  • Dhrupad’s lyrics, sung by Dhrupad in an old-fashioned form of Hindi, often have heroic themes or honor a particular god.
• Khayal style: Dhrupad is now replaced with khayal, which has a less rigid form.
  • Khayal has lyrics that can range between 4 and 8 lines.
  • This few sentences will serve as a foundation for the performer to improvise.
  • Hussain Shah Sharqui is the member of the Sharqui Dynasty that ruled during the 15th Century. He’s credited for creating the Khayal Style of Hindustani Classical Music.
• Tarana: Tarana style is another Hindustani vocal form. Tarana, or joyous songs, is usually performed at the end of a concert.
• The thumri style is a Hindustani vocal form that originated at the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah (the Nawab from Oudh).
• Ghazal styles: Ghazal was originally an Iranian style of vocal music. It is now a major component of Hindustani Classical Music.
  • Ghazals come in many styles, such as folk and pop.
  • Ghulam, Ali, Jagjit, Mehndi, Hassan and Pankaj Udhas were all famous Ghazal Singers.
  • Ghazals are characterized by themes such as joy, piety and love.

Carnatic music

Carnatic Music was born in southern India. Karnataka Samgita and Karnataka Sangitam are the names of this music in South India. Carnatic is a subgenre of Indian classical music.

Carnatic Music is dominated by vocal music. Carnatic is performed using the gayaki technique. Composition and improvisation of Carnatic Music can be improved by learning basic elements such as sruti and Swara. Compositions are the only way to improve compositions. Carnatic Music is being developed.

The Kriti, or kritinam is the main instrument. Students are taught Carnatic Music through compositions. Telugu has a greater significance in the evolution of Carnatic Music. Few compositions also have Sanskrit and Telugu incubation. Carnatic Music is performed by a soloist and some background singers on stage. The tambura, violin, venu and other instruments are used. Chennai is the center of Carnatic Music. Madras Music Season, one of the largest music festivals in the world.

Chennai hosts many Carnatic festivals. Carnatic compositions have many different structures. Three basic units are Pallavis, Anupallavis, and Charanas. These three units are called keerthanam, or kriti. Notation in Indian music is nothing new. Carnatic Music is changing and growing. Written notation became popular in the 17th-18th centuries. Pundara dasa was a major influence on the development of Carnatic Music. Many of his basic elements and lessons are still used today.

He structured many exercises in Swaravalis (Swaravalis) and Alankaras. Many beginners learned Carnatic Music from him.

• The trinity is a concept that originated during the Bhakti Movement.
• The culture is indigenous, and it’s usually isolated from foreign influences.
• Alapana Niraval and Kalphaswaram are forms of Carnatic Music.
• Veena and Mridangam are two instruments used.

Features of Carnatic Music

• Raga Thalam System – Carnatic Music has a sophisticated system of theory. The intricate Ragam and Thalam systems (Tala) are the basis of this music.
  • Ragams are classified using different modes. There are 72 modes, which are called mela.
  • Tala is the rhythmic heart of Carnatic Music.
• Varanam is a Carnatic performance divided into parts. Varanam, a composition named after the Carnatic language, is usually played at the beginning of a recital. Varanam is composed of the Purvanga or first part, and Uttaranga or second half.
• Compositions for the kritis can be set to the Rag. The “Alapana”, a method of explaining the Ragam, allows the performers to be creative.
• Ragams are a free form, unaccompanied melodic improvisation.
• Tanam is a form of free melodic rhythmic improvisation.
• Pallavi, a short melody pre-composed to a cycle of Tala.

The main differences between Hindustani music and Carnatic Music

• Carnatic is the only sub-style of Hindustani.
• Carnatic is the only one of these two.
• Hindustani, in Indian tradition is a secular language, while Carnatic, is an intellectual one.
• Hindustani music in Indian culture is more heterogeneous than Carnatic.
• Carnatic and Hindustani are both languages that originated in South India.

Comparison chart between Hindustani Music and Carnatic Music

Hindustani Music	Carnatic Music
Hindustani music was originated much earlier than Carnatic music. It has emerged as a distinct form of music due to Islamic and Persian influences. This style of music is synthesized with Islamic traditions, Vedic chants, and Persian Musiqu-e-Assil. originated in South India.	Carnatic music is an evolved form of ancient Hindu tradition. The Bhakti Movement in the 15th-16th centuries was the catalyst for its development. The 19th and 20th centuries saw a rise in this style.
The main instruments used are Sarangi, Tabla, Santoor, and Sitar. Pitch-based western instruments like guitar, keyboard, flute, etc., can be used because the number of musical notes and intervals is equal.	Sarangi (also called Tabla), Santoor and Sitar are the main instruments. Western instruments like the guitar, keyboard and flute can also be played because they use a pitch-based system.
Raga is the basis of this system. There are six major ragas. There is a gender-based influence on the ragas.	Kriti is the basis. It has 72 sampoorna Ragas. The ragas have their own style and are not restricted. Sound intensity can be adjusted.
Swara (Pitch) is at the core of Hindustani Music.	Laya (Rhythm) is the core of Carnatic Music.
There are many sub-styles of this music.	There is only one prescribed type of music.
There are 12 intervals between swaras, or musical notes.	There are 22 musical intervals (swaras), within a single octave.
The raga essay (alapanas), which is composed from note to note, develops.	The raga essay (alapanas), which is composed of phrases, develops from one phrase to the next.
There is a shailey that’s different.	There are many styles, including those of G.N.Balasubramaniam and Madurai Mani Iyer.
Pure notes are the focus.	The emphasis is on Carnatic Ragas based on gamaka.
There are six main vocal styles: Khayal, Dhrupad (Dhrupad), Thumri Tarana Dadra Gazals	There are several types of improvisations, such as Niraval Alpana Ragam Thana Pallavi, and kalpanaswaram.
There is no concept called upapakkavadyam.	There is a concept called upapakkavadyam.
Vocal-centric groups are required. There is a distinct vocal repertoire and an instrumental one. The singer is accompanied by a variety of instruments. Nadi (meaning moral) and Samvadiswaras are the focus.	Up until recently, Carnatic vocalists and instrumentalists both played compositions based on Kriti. Most compositions in Carnatic music are performed using the Gayaki style.
The swars that are distorted and not full are also considered complete.	According to shrutis, the distorted swars have names. The swars began later.
The singer claps at an accelerated pace while reciting the “Joda.” Afterward, Taal isn’t played.	The singer recites ‘aalap taanam’.
Its main accompaniment is the sarangi.	Its main accompaniment is the violin.
The morning and the evening ragas are distinct and have different time limits.	Time periods that are clearly defined. Madhya and Dhruta are both twice as long as ‘Vilamba.
Sargam is used to teach and train vocal singing.	Gamakas, also known as Gamaks or Gamakams, are vocalists who train and perfect their skills.
“Tilawal” is the pure form of swars.	The swaras call this thaat ‘Mukhari.

FAQs on Hindustani vs Carnatic Music

Q1. Where did Hindustani and Carnatic Music have their origins?

A : Both of these well-known music branches were developed during medieval times. Hindustani Music was influenced by the Persians, Mughals and other cultures. The Vedic period was the earliest time when this branch of music developed. Carnatic Music evolved from the Bhakti Movement.

Q2. Q2. What popular Carnatic songs are there?
A:Some famous songs of this genre include SwethaGanapathim BhajaGovindham Jo Achutananda.

Q3. What are the most famous Hindustani vocalists?
A:Pandit Ravi Shankar, a well-known name in the Hindustani genre. BhimsenJoshi, UstadBismillahKhan, and AnuradhaSriram are other notable personalities.

Eventually

Hindustani music and Carnatic Music differ in their forms, styles, tunes and songs. Dhrupad or Carnatic Music is a combination of composition and improvisation. However, the differences are so great that you cannot understand either without knowing the other. Every style has a connection to another.