HINDUSTANI

Music & Dance

Sangeet finds its highest expression through art music and dance, that is music that accepts certain basic conventions of form and structure and uses them as a natural framework for the expression of ideas. These conventions can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit text, Natya Shastra by Bharata Muni and today are embodied in Raag in which melody is structured and Taal in which rhythm and movement are structured. Both these elements find expression through the voice, a variety of musical instruments such as the Sitar, Bansuri, Harmonium, Tabla and Pakhawaj, as well as the major dance styles of Kathak, Odissi, etc. There are many devotional, folk and popular genres that are defined linguistically that also engage with Raag and Taal at differing degrees. These include Sugam Sangeet, Bhajan, Bangra, Garba, Bollywood, Pop and Rabindra Sangeet.

PRSSV World Music and Dance Examinations offers accredited exams in all the Hindustani subjects. The Hindustani syllabuses focus on the elements used to train students of music and dance. Thus, in the earlier grades there is a great emphasis on Shruti and Laya, interpretation and style providing a strong foundation in basics and in higher grades emphasis is placed on performance and improvisation.

Music and Dance of the Indian Sub-continent

The Indian system of music encompasses many classical, folk, contemporary and popular traditions of music and dance that reflect the diversity found across the many countries that make up the Indian sub-continent. These countries, also referred to as South Asia, are India, Pakistan Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Their rich collection of classical, folk, contemporary and popular styles of singing, the playing of instruments and dancing are subsumed under the term Sangeet.

The Sangeet traditions most commonly associated with the Northern part of India are referred to as Hindustani, and those associated with the Southern part of India are referred to as Carnatic (Karnatak).