History and Evolution of Hindustani Music and Basic Terminology
History and terminology questions test chronology and correct use of terms: who wrote what, when 'raga' entered musical literature, how the modern teaching system arose, and what each technical word means.
Timeline
- Vedic samagana and the Natyashastra of Bharata describe grama and murchhana; the word 'raga' appears in Matanga's Brihaddeshi (c. 8th–9th century).
- Sarangadeva's Sangita Ratnakara (13th century) is the great medieval compendium.
- Amir Khusrau (1253–1325) is traditionally credited with the sitar, tabla and new forms; this is legend, not documented history.
- Tansen (c. 1500–1586), in Akbar's court, is associated with dhrupad and ragas such as Miyan ki Malhar and Darbari Kanada.
- 20th century: V. D. Paluskar and V. N. Bhatkhande institutionalised teaching; All India Radio and recordings spread the music.
Terminology
- Nada, shruti (22), swara (7), saptak (3: mandra, madhya, taar), thaat (Bhatkhande's ten), raga, taal, laya (vilambit, madhya, drut), alaap, jod, jhala, gat, sargam, meend, gamak, kan.
Worked example - thaat versus raga Bilawal thaat uses all shuddha swaras. Alhaiya Bilawal also uses all shuddha swaras, yet it is a raga, not a thaat, because it has a pakad, a vadi (Dha), a samvadi (Ga) and a morning time. Reasoning: thaat is a scale class; raga is a melodic entity with rules of movement.
Traps: saying Khusrau invented the sitar as fact; confusing 22 shrutis with 7 swaras; equating thaat and raga; dating Bhatkhande's work to the 18th century.