Carnatic Classical Music And Hindustani Classical Music: Basic Differences And Similarities

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Indian music has a rich historical and spiritual background which, for a better understanding of the students and connoisseurs was divided into the two branches, of Hindustani and Carnatic that exist even today. These two systems have formed the backbone of traditional Indian classical music which is performed through channels of singing and instrumental music.

Historical Trends

During the medieval period, Indian classical music came to be categorised as Carnatic music in south India and Hindustani music in north India. The main pillars of music are Swara, Raga, and Taala. Swara is nothing but pitch or tone. There are 22 swarasthanas out of which 12 are major and the rest, minor, Raga provides the basic framework for melody. A composition is made of a combination of swaras and sahitya or words to create melody. Taala forms the essential basic element of Rhythm which is nothing but groups of beats.

1. Hindustani music was a division of classical music that was most influenced by the sultanate culture during Mughal rule in North India. It is a medley of influences of Persian music and other genres. Hindustani music is further divided into types such as Dhrupad, Thumri, Khayal, Tarana,Dadra, and Ghazals.

2. Carnatic music is supposed to be more ancient music system that was deeply impacted by the ongoing Bhakti movement and it is inspired from the Holy trinity. It is pure unadulterated classical music that does not follow any other musical school. The creative forms of Carnatic music are Alapana, kalpanaswaram, neraval, pallavi, thaana to name a few. You can display your creative understanding and level through these forms. Creativity in South Indian Music is called Manodharma.

Similarities

1. Both schools are based on the basic foundations of swara, raga, taala that bring out the laya or rhythm and melody of the piece.

2. Both have had initially a developed system of notations in Sanskrit script. These two schools of music are firmly grounded on brahmananda, or the spiritual peace, religion and culture. The lifeline for these two systems of music is the concept of Raga that stresses on melody during rendition.

3. You can sing creative music for any length of time that you prefer. While performing on stage, you can time each rendition for the sake of brevity and convenience.

4. Carnatic and Hindustani styles emphasize on bringing out the melody. Both systems have a vadi or leading swar in every raga. Both use all 7 notes to make Janya Raga. Both use a Tanpura or Tamburi for pitch retention while performing.,

5. They make use of Melakartha scales for delineation of ragas. They use a shruti background like Tamburi or Tanpura to retain the basic pitch used for rendering.

Differences

1. Hindustani music is divided into certain number of gharanas whereas there is no such classification in Carnatic music. Hindustani rarely gives importance to the composition which is already set and learnt by practice, instead it believes in an elaborate display of creative expressions of music. Carnatic music gives equal preference to Compositions and the creative Manodharma music.

2. Tempo is rather slow in Hindustani system, whereas Carnatic has a demarcated system of three kalas (first, second and third kala) to heighten the aesthetic experience.

3. South Indian music has traditional Indian roots while the Hindustani has deeper influences of Afghan Persian and Arab music. Carnatic music does not have substyles in singing whereas Hindustani music has many sub styles.

4. Carnatic music is based on a Mela Karta raga set up of 72 ragas but there are six major ragas that form the basis of Hindustani music. While Veena and Mridangam are used in Carnatic music, it is Tabla and Sitar that are predominantly used in Hindustani music.

5. Carnatic music offers scope to improvise whereas Hindustani music allows variations and improvisations. Ragas are demarcated as Thaat in Hindustani and as Melakarta in Carnatic music.