India Music

India music is very old.

India music is very ancient. But it became popular in the West when George Harrison (of the Beatles) learned to play the sitar from master Ravi Shankar. Roughly there are two styles of India music. Northern and Carnatic ( in the south). Another typical style is the folk music from Rajasthan. Most regions actually have their styles.

Two main elements of India music are: “Tala” and “Raga”. Tala is the rhythm and Raga is the melody. Two of the most popular instruments, and also known in the West, are the sitar and the tabla. Well known masters of the sitar are: Ravi Shankar and Nikhil Bannerjee. Tabla masters: Allah Rakha and Zakir Hussein.

Other instruments used in India music are: the sarangi, the tempura, the mridangam, the veena (mostly in the south of the country). Hindi film songs are very popular all over the country. Bhangra, from the Punjab, is well known in the West as well, as is Kirtan, the chanting or singing of religious mantras.

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