Sage Bharata defines 'Music' as
the confluence or combination of Swara, Tala, & Pada - all in harmonious
blend. Sage Matanga defines 'Raga' as a combination of musical notes that
gives delight. a melody arrangement to project a definite mood, emotion
or feeling.
Brahma was the origin of music inspired
by Sama Veda. From one note, music progressed to three, then five &
crystallized in seven notes, the Sapta Swaras. Sapta Swaras are Shadja,
Rishaba, Gandhara, Madyama, Panchama, Daivata & Nishada. Swara is a
musical note. Swaras are reputed to have been inspired by sounds of birds
& animals such as :
| Shadja -- |
Peacock |
| Rishaba -- |
Ox |
| Gandhara -- |
Goat |
| Madyama -- |
Krouncha bird |
| Panchama -- |
Cuckoo |
| Daivata -- |
Horse |
| Nishada -- |
Elephant |
Indian music has fundamentally been
a spiritual aid & the vehicle for the soul to realise & attain
the Universal Soul ( Paramatman). It lay stress on melody, harmony being
secondary though vital.
Corresponding Classification/Nomenclature
:
| Greek |
Ecclesiastical |
European |
Arabic |
Indian |
| Lydic |
Ionian |
Modern C |
Meia Mode |
Dheera Sankarabharanam |
| Pypygian |
Dorian |
Modern D |
Irak Mode |
Karaharapriya |
| Doric |
Phrygian |
Modern E |
Mex Mode |
Todi |
| Hypelysic |
Lydian |
Modern F |
Edzeil Mode |
Kalyani |
| Hypopurigion |
Mixolydian |
Modern G |
D.Jorka Mode |
Harikambhoji |
| Hypodoric |
Aeolian |
Modern A |
Lisa Mode |
Natabairavi |
| (Mixed Doric) |
(Locrian) |
Modern B |
Saika Mode |
Nilambari |
Scale means stepwise arrangement of
notes which when successively invoked develop & provide melody. Shadjam
is basic or adhara swara which is the basis for the other six notes. Madyama
is pitchforked between two traids. Panchama denotes the fifth place. When
Sama Veda was recited ( Sama ganam), the spouse accompanied on veena or
flute.
From Pranavam emanates
Satyajatam, Vaamanam, Tatpurusham,
Eesanam & Aghoram which are the five faces of Lord Siva, from which
the musical notes emanated & passed on to Posterity. Siva taught Parvati,
the prime Sishya & it was successively passed on to Tumburu, Narada,
Nandikeswara & Saraswati.
Saraswathi-the Goddess of Fine Arts
(Painting as found in Nepal) |
Initial instruments
were :
Damaru of Siva, Flute of Krishna,
Conch of Vishnu, Drum of Nandi, Veena of Saraswati & Narada, Thambur
of Thumburu. Lord Buddha reinvigorated his teachings & message with
music on his Parivadini veena, made of gold, having 21 strings.
Sama Veda is well-known as musically
rendered. Rig Veda too is reputed to have been chanted once musically.
Thevaram by Appar, Sundarar & Sambandar and Divya Prabandam by Vaishnavite
Azhwars came up during 7-9th centuries. |
Musings
on Music by Shri S.Rajam
From Musings on Music - a handy
music diary for writing notation by S.Rajam
Text by S.Rajam, Text assisted
by "Garland" Rajagopalan, Illustration by S.Rajam
|
