Music India ,Sweet Melodies,Classicalmusic,Raga Thaala

Music
Music is one of the oldest and finest forms of human expression.Music can be divided in to Western classical, Hindustani classical,Carnatic Classical ,Folk, Jazz, Pop,Fusion,etc.The main schools of classical music hindustani and the carnatic, continue to survive through oral tradition being passed on by teachers to disciples.This has led to the existence of family tradition called gharanas and sampradayas.A new form of Hindustani music known as khayal emerged during the 13th & 14th centuries. This style gave an entirely new dimension to Hindustani classical music tradition.Amir Khusro is considered the proponent of this style. Thyagaraja, Muthuswami Deekshithar and shyama shastri are popularly known as the trinity of carnatic Music.The pivotal concept of Indian music (Carnatic and Hindustani)is Raga(melody).
Ragas are made up of different combinations of sapta (seven) swaras:Sa Sadjam;Ri Rishabam;Ga Gaandaram;Ma madhyamam;Pa Panchamam;Dha Dhaivadam;Ni Nishadam.In Western classical,Piano one octave consists of 12 notes whereas in indian music the same octave contains 22(srutis)notes.The 22 srutis are called Siddha, Prabhavathi, Kantha, Suprabha,Shikha, Diptimati,Ugra, Hladi, Nirviri, Dira, Sarphara,kshati , Hridayonmulini,Visarini ,Prasuna,Vibhuti, Chapata, vata, Sarvaratna, Sitantaj and vikalini.

Swara is generally defined as a note whereas sruti constitutes the macrotonal intervals between two swaras. The nuances of these can be be best understood in prayoga (practice)rather than theory .

Thala is defined as rhythm .But in vocal music or instruymental Musicthaala plays a creative and organic part in the bringing out the essence and elevating the musical expressions to new dimensions.The major thaalas are Aadi Thaala,a cycle of eight maathras (beats),Chautalor Eaka Thaal consisting of twelve maathras mostly played on the Pakhawaj,Jhatpalconsist of 10 maathras,Roopak Thala of seven Maathras ,and teen taal of sixteen Maatras.

Violin is a widely accepted musical instrument of foriegn origin which has an unavoidable presence in an Indian classical music.