INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC
Under the SUBJECT ‘Music’, in India, come three arts, singing, playing of instruments and dance. In practice, the three arts have their own space and that’s why they are considered to be separate subjects in many countries. But in India, classical music, they are three organs of the same body and so are inseparable. In absense of inter-relation among the three, the real power of music is lessened. For instance, if only dance is practiced in absense of any instrument play, there cannot be real enjoyment in dance. So they are inter-dependent. But singing is considered best since under it comes instrument play and under instrument play comes dance. As per a Musical work ‘Sangeet Ratnakar’, ‘Music is mixture of singing, tuning and dancing.’
Music is a most pure and beautiful art, whose main base is sound. This art is considered to be a perfect mixture that can present the artist’s emotions most beautifully and perfectly in front of the audience. English scholar, Ruskin, believed that the elevation of the soul should be main object of music. So, it is also a way for soul to feel free and reach God, if practiced purely.
Classical Music, in India, has two forms, viz. South or Carnatic form and North or Hindustani form. Both the forms are independent, even though many similarities lie in between them. It is believed that both the forms were in the ancient times. Even today it can be seen that both the forms consider 12 syllables.
Music comes from sounds and sounds come from vibrations. Sounds are of two types, viz. pleasant and rough. But the rough sound is considered to be noise and sweet sound forms music. This is a very special feature of Indian Classical Music. Vibrations produce sound. Vibrations produce the sound and these vibrations are of two forms, conscious and unconscious forms. Conscious form is produced physically and can be controlled and it is the most common form used. The unconscious one cannot be produced with physical trials. It is believed that’s yogis meditate upon these subtle sounds to attain Moksha or salvation. This form is used by God , as it is said.
Despite the quick expansion of western hip-hop and rocking music of western world, the great and purest Indian Classical Music still exists and it is still being practiced by a large number of people. In ancient times, many great Indian Classical Musicians proved the power of music by bringing rains and many other mystic actions. They prayed it as their God and they made it their life. So, only word for our great art is “Incredible”, one cannot express its power that is beyond express and imagination.