Learning Musics of the World
Music, it is said, is a language of the
universe irrespective of caste and creed, geographical differences and
colloquial language difference. As a student of Indian Music, we learn the
music of India, its history, aesthetics, science, instruments, and other
facts. But this is restricted to only one aspect or one angle, i.e. the
Indian angle of music. When we learn about the music of other cultures the
view definitely wideness. We get to know music through different angles. We
get to know the similarities and differences between the 'Musics'. We get to
know the influences of one music on others, and the development of
instruments. e.g. when we learn about Iran (or Persia) we can clearly see
that the Indian. 'Sitar' is the child of the Iranian Setar; that the Santoor
has traveled from Iran to India; that ghazal, tarana, tabla-baya are hybrid
versions of India & Iran.
A fact, which is worth noticing has come in view - the
eastern world gives importance to melody whereas the western world music
lives on harmony.
World wide common facts of music are:
1. All forms of music have basically evolved through religion, from the quest to know God, to praise God, to recite religious verses.
2. The art music has evolved through the folk music.
3. The folk music any where in the world basically is performed during festivals and ceremonies.
If an Indian classical musician hears Indonesian music,
for the first time he would not like it, appreciate it. But gradually, when
he starts learning about it and hearing more and more of it he starts to
understand it and there by he starts to like it. This helps to drive away
the rigidity and undue pride and prejudice. This is true to any music we
hear. When we study about the musics of other cultures we gather more
knowledge. Every coin has two sides. Same is true with any music form. When
we study musics of other cultures with an open mind, we come to know the
limitations of the music form we learn. Thus, our studies develop a broader
base and the music form we have learnt enroots itself deeply, giving due
respect to all musics. The same 'Swara' which we would be singing before
learning world music and after it will have the difference of depth which
can not be explained in words but it is an experience in itself. So learning
of world music's definitely helps in widening our perspective.
Influence of Indian Music on the music of South-east
Asia, East Asia and West Asia.
Southeast Asia consists of Malaysia, Philippines,
Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia.
East Asia consists of China and Mongolia.
West Asia consists of Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Arabia.
The music of southeast Asia has a strong influence on
Indian music. The music of Indonesia depicts takes from Ramayana and
Mahabharata. Theorists propose that the equivalent scale of Southeast Asian
music has evolved from the 'ma-grama' of Indian Music. The 'cymbals' found
in the 'pi phat' of Thailand resemble the small dance orchestra cymbals of
India. The 'chakay' instrument of Thailand seems to have evolved from the
Indian Vina. The 'serunai' of Malaysia resembles the 'shehnai' from India.
In Myanmar songs the rhythm is kept by small pair hand bells, 'si' and a
'clapper', 'wa', in a similar fashion as the 'cymbals' keep the 'talam' in
India. The Kudyapi of Philippines seems to have evolved from the 'kechapi
vina' of India, as some theorists propose. In Malaysia and Singapore, Indian
music, specially Carnatak music and Tamil songs are heard during festivals
and ceremonies.
The 'Chin', a seven stringed instrument of China can be
associated with the 'Vina' of India. The sliding effects and other special
strokes used by both hands were derived in the international period from the
'gamaka' ornamentations of India.
The music of West Asia is not influenced by Indian music.
On the contrary Indian music is influenced by the Music of West Asia. i.e.
Persia (Iran & Iraq) The sitar, tabla, sarangi, daf (the tambourine,) are
some instruments which have popularized in India from West Asia.
Click here for World Music Day
information.
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