Hindustani Music

2026-01-03

Hindustani classical music is the classical music of northern India. It is a tradition that originated in Vedic ritual chants and has been evolving since the 12th century CE. The tradition was born out of a cultural synthesis of several musical traditions, including the Vedic chant tradition, the equally ancient Gandharva-Gana, and the Persian tradition of Musiqi-e assil.

Gharanas

A key feature of Hindustani music is the gharana system. A gharana is a school of performance practice that is associated with a particular region or a particular teacher. Each gharana has its own unique style and approach to performance, and the knowledge is transmitted from generation to generation through the Guru-Shishya parampara. Some of the most well-known gharanas include the Gwalior Gharana, the Agra Gharana, and the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana.

Forms of Composition

Hindustani music has a rich variety of compositional forms. Some of the most important are:

  • Dhrupad: This is the oldest and most majestic form of Hindustani classical music. It is a slow, meditative form that is characterized by its emphasis on the purity of the raag.
  • Khayal: This is the most popular form of Hindustani classical music today. It is a more romantic and expressive form than Dhrupad, and it allows for a greater degree of improvisation.
  • Thumri: This is a semi-classical form that is characterized by its lyrical and emotional content. It is often based on the theme of love and devotion.
  • Ghazal: This is a poetic form that is set to music. It originated in Persia and has become a very popular form of light classical music in India.

Instruments

Hindustani music uses a wide variety of instruments, both melodic and percussive. Some of the most common instruments are:

  • Sitar: A plucked string instrument with a long neck and a number of resonating strings.
  • Sarod: A fretless string instrument with a deep, resonant sound.
  • Tabla: A pair of small hand drums that are used to provide the rhythmic accompaniment.
  • Sarangi: A bowed string instrument that is known for its ability to imitate the human voice.
  • Bansuri: A bamboo flute.