1. India has two major classical music traditions: Carnatic music, popular in South India and Hindustani music, dominant in North India. Carnatic music features instruments like veena, violin and mridangam, while Hindustani music includes sitar, tabla and sarod. Compositions in Carnatic music are in SaRead more

    India has two major classical music traditions: Carnatic music, popular in South India and Hindustani music, dominant in North India. Carnatic music features instruments like veena, violin and mridangam, while Hindustani music includes sitar, tabla and sarod. Compositions in Carnatic music are in Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil, whereas Hindustani compositions are in Hindi, Sanskrit and Brijbhasha. These styles also differ in melodic structures, improvisation and rhythm patterns.

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  2. The instruments used in Carnatic music include veena (a string instrument), violin, flute and nadaswaram (a wind instrument). Percussion instruments like mridangam, ghatam, kanjira and morsing play vital roles in rhythm and accompaniment. The mridangam is a primary drum, while the ghatam (clay pot),Read more

    The instruments used in Carnatic music include veena (a string instrument), violin, flute and nadaswaram (a wind instrument). Percussion instruments like mridangam, ghatam, kanjira and morsing play vital roles in rhythm and accompaniment. The mridangam is a primary drum, while the ghatam (clay pot), kanjira (tambourine) and morsing (jew’s harp) add variations to compositions. These instruments define the sound and structure of Carnatic music performances.

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  3. In Carnatic music, compositions are mostly written in Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil. Telugu is the most widely used language, especially in kritis composed by Thyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar. Tamil compositions include devotional hymns, while Sanskrit pieces are often in praiseRead more

    In Carnatic music, compositions are mostly written in Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil. Telugu is the most widely used language, especially in kritis composed by Thyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar. Tamil compositions include devotional hymns, while Sanskrit pieces are often in praise of Hindu gods. Kannada and Malayalam also contribute to the rich heritage of Carnatic music. These languages help preserve the essence and cultural depth of the classical tradition.

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  4. Hindustani classical music employs various instruments, including the tanpura (drone instrument), sitar (string instrument played with a plectrum), sarod (fretless lute), sarangi (bowed string instrument) and santoor (hammered dulcimer). Percussion instruments like tabla and pakhawaj create intricatRead more

    Hindustani classical music employs various instruments, including the tanpura (drone instrument), sitar (string instrument played with a plectrum), sarod (fretless lute), sarangi (bowed string instrument) and santoor (hammered dulcimer). Percussion instruments like tabla and pakhawaj create intricate rhythmic cycles (tala). The sitar and sarod are famous for their improvisational capabilities, while the tabla provides essential rhythmic support. These instruments together define the characteristic sound of Hindustani classical music.

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  5. Hindustani classical music compositions are written in Hindi, Sanskrit and Brijbhasha, with some Persian and Urdu influences from the Mughal era. Dhrupad compositions are mostly in Sanskrit, while khayal and thumri use Hindi or Brijbhasha. Bhajans and ghazals also feature prominently in Hindustani mRead more

    Hindustani classical music compositions are written in Hindi, Sanskrit and Brijbhasha, with some Persian and Urdu influences from the Mughal era. Dhrupad compositions are mostly in Sanskrit, while khayal and thumri use Hindi or Brijbhasha. Bhajans and ghazals also feature prominently in Hindustani music, blending devotional and poetic themes. The inclusion of multiple languages reflects India’s diverse musical traditions and historical evolution of classical music styles.

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