Pt. Jasraj An Era of Indian Classical Music Sums up

Context

Music legend and the doyen of Hindustani classical vocal music Pandit Jasraj passed away at the age of 90 due to cardiac arrest.

Background

His musical career has spanned more than 80 years and led to numerous major awards. His performances of classical and semi-classical vocals have become albums and film soundtracks. Jasraj has taught music in India, Canada and the US.

The purists took time to compliment him, but the connoisseurs couldn’t resist the charm of his Sanskrit stotras, his mastery over shuddha madhyam notes and his ability to play with light and heavy and popular and rare ragas like Durga, Jog and Abeer Todi with equal felicity. Not to forget his sage-like presence on the stage which got a little dramatic in the latter half of his career. He would often end his concert with a kirtan.

Pandit Jasraj was a recipient of several prestigious awards including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan as well as Padma Vibhushan.

Roots of Indian Classical Music

The roots of Indian classical music can be traced back nearly two thousand years to its origin in the Vedic hymns of the Hindu temples, the fundamental source of all Indian music.

The very heart of Indian music is the raga - which refers to the melody and tala - which refers to the rhythm. In the Indian classical music sphere, ragas are many and each has its distinctive qualities. The seven swars of music - Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni represent different scriptural deities: SA - Agni, RE - Brahma, GA - Saraswati, MA - Shiva, PA - Vishnu, DHA - Ganesha, NI - Surya.

Types of Indian Classical Music

There are two main schools of Indian classical music: the Hindustani style of the North and the Karnatak (also spelled Karnatak and Karanatic) of the South. The Hindustani style features a number of Turko-Persian musical elements not found in the more varied and, in some ways, complex Karnatak style. Well-known Hindustani styles include Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Tappa and Thumri.

Hindustani Music is the term used to describe the music of northern India, which is regarded by many people as true Indian music. Influenced by music from Persia and Central Asia, it also refers to vocal styles mentioned below: dhrupad, khyal, dadra and thumri.

Karanatic is the classical music of southern India. It is similar to Hindustani classical music except it is freer and has a more positive and upbeat mood that reflects a lack of influence of music from Persia and Central Asia and the fact it has remained close to its Hindu origins. Purandara Dasa is regarded as the Father of Karnatak music.
Dhrupad is the most austere form of classical singing and playing. Closely connected to the famous Mughal singer Tansen, it is a northern Indian style that features a straight delivery and no embroidery or embellishment. Singers are accompanied by a tanpura and pakhawaj barrel drum.

Khayal (also spelled khyal, derived rom a Persian word meaning "imagination") is a form of classical singing that is less austere and more popular today than Dhrupad. It features elaborate embroidery and embellishments The singer begins with a short alaap in which the characteristics of the raga are developed. No words are sung: the singer concentrates on the notes of the raga while improvising within its structures. Each phase that the singer sings may repeated by the accompanist.

Thumri is another fixture of Hindustani light classical music. Created by Nawab Ali Shah, who governed Lucknow from 1847 to 1856, it is an emotional song style known for its graceful, lyrical melodies. It s regarded as more accessible than dhrupad or khayal and features ragas and taals usually associated with kathak dance. Dadri, Hori, Chaiti, Kajri and Jhool are sub genres of Thumri.

Ghazal is a light style of classical Persian love music adored by the Mughals. Originally more of a poetic than musical form, the name is derived from an Arabic word meaning "to talk amorously to women." Although sometimes referred to as the Urdu equivalent of khayal, it is based as often on folk melodies as on ragas.

Raga and Mood

There is a saying in Sanskrit - Ranjayathi iti Ragah - which means, "that which colours the mind is a raga." Raga is meant to inspire pure emotion in the minds of those who listen. Thus, the art of music is based on the concept of Nava Rasa, or the Nine Sentiments - Shringara (romantic and erotic), Hasya (humorous), Karuna (pathetic), Raudra (anger), Veera (heroic), Bhayanaka (fearful), Vibhatsa (disgustful), Adbhuta (amazement), Shanta (peaceful). Each raga is principally dominated by one of these nine rasas.

In addition to being associated with a particular mood, each raga is also closely connected to a particular time of day or a season of the year. The cycle of day and night, as well as the cycle of the seasons, is analogous to the cycle of life itself. Each part of the day - such as the time before dawn, noon, late afternoon, early evening, late night - is associated with a definite sentiment. The explanation of the time associated with each raga may be found in the nature of the notes that comprise it, or in historical anecdotes concerning the raga.

Conclusion

The tradition of Indian classical music is an oral one. It is taught directly by the guru to the disciple. The relationship between the artist and his guru is the keystone of this ancient tradition. The framework of Indian classical music is established by tradition and inspired by the creative spirits of master musicians. A artist can always explore and improvise because so very much depends on understanding the spirit and nuances of the art.

Connecting the Article

Question for Prelims

Which one of the following music form is related to Mughal period singer Tansen ?

(a) Dhrupad
(b) Khayal
(c) Hindustani
(d) Carnatic

Question for Mains

Compare the Hindustani classical music form with Carnatic form.