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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.

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