The Raga : From the Drop to the Ocean
The raga system is a uniquely ingenuous product of the Indian musical mind. It provides the framework within which the musician can simultaneously perform the roles of composer and performer through the process of improvisation. In this paper, I propose to deal with the basic definition of the raga, the principles of improvisation, and “Bindu Vistar”, a concept that represents the principle underlying our musical tradition, and also the approach to contemporary raga exposition...
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Talim
Significance
The word 'Talim" signifies serious and deeper values as compared to the connotation of the word "Tuition" or "Class room teaching” in the modern sense. Though Talim has undercurrents of the Urdu language, it underscores the spirit and philosophy of music education under the Guru- Shishya Parampara.
It would be self-evident that there is a vast difference between the connotation of the word Talim and a Class - between the Guru and the so called...
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Research on Instruments
Traditionally, a majority of Indian musical instruments are hand-made and the art of "making” of instruments is passed on from generation to generation, similar to the process of imparting the knowledge of Indian classical music itself. Whilst there are innumerable merits in this traditional system, it is believed that a research study to support the art of instrument making through scientific methods could be of great advantage.
A seminar on instrument makers (sitar, sarod and...
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Evolution of the Indian Melody
To be able to appreciate the essence of Indian Music it is necessary to understand various aspects of the same apart from its History. It would be appreciated that we should understand :
1. How music was rendered through o few musical notes many years ago
2. How from these notes a scale was invented, and
3. From this scale how a raga system was perfected.
VEDIC PERIOD
During this period which dates about 2000 years B.C., the melody was expressed through four notes only. Maybe still...
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Attributes of Raga
1. The structure of a raga should contain at least five notes. A raga can be categorised as either (a) Audav (b) Shadav (c) Sampurna.
2. Ragas having five or six notes in the Aroha and seven notes or notes other than used in the Aroha in the Avaroha, could still be called Sampurna according to some musicologısts.
3. A structure of two, three or four notes is called a taan - not a raag.
4. As Aroha and Avroha could either have five, six or seven notes thereby having the elements of...
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