Hindustani Classical Vocal Music
Hindustani
Classical Music, which was intimately associated with the north-Indian
temple rituals, traces back its existence in the Shastras or ancient
treaties in Sanskrit.
Rich contributions were made during the
Muslim rule of the Moghuls. It reached the climax during the rule of Akbar
in whose court Mian Tansen performed the best of Hindustani Classical
Vocals.
It maintained accuracy of pronunciation, chastity of
voice production and the chant-like intonation movement of the songs in
the spirit of magical rites.
The raga or scale in Hindustani
Music is in combination of fixed notes, ascending and descending within
the octave. The content of the raga is completely improvisatory -
dependent on the virtuosity of the artist.
There is a great deal
of resemblance between the moods of nature and man and so these ragas are
sung at an appointed hour of the day and night.
The different
forms of Hindustani music are - Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Tappa and Thumri,
with the last two being classified in light classical category by a few.
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