Indian classical music

In music, Indian classical music refers to the classical music of the Indian subcontinent and its surrounding areas. India's classical music history is divided into two main branches: the Hindustani tradition of northern India and the Carnatic tradition of southern India. Until the 15th century, these traditions were not clearly distinguished. It was during the reign of the Mughals on the Indian subcontinent that the traditions split off and developed into different forms. Unlike Carnatic music, which stresses short compositions, Hindustani music places an emphasis on improvisation and exploring all elements of a raga. However, there are still more similarities than differences between the two systems.

Indian classical music has its origins in the Hindu scriptures known as the Vedas as well as the ancient Sanskrit book known as the Natyashastra, written by Bharata Muni and considered to be the world's first performing art manual. In both the Hindustani music and the Carnatic music traditions, the 13th century Sanskrit book Sangita-Ratnakara of Sarangadeva is considered as the canonical source text.

Raga and tala two fundamental elements of Indian classical music. The raga, which is composed of a diverse repertory of swara (notes that include microtones), serves as the foundation for a complex melodic structure, while the tala serves as a time-keeping device. The raga offers an artist with a palette from which to construct a melody from sounds, while the tala provides them with a creative framework for rhythmic improvisation utilising time. Harmony, counterpoint, chords, and modulation are all elements that are usually avoided in Indian classical music, which emphasises the space between the notes rather than the sounds themselves.