Introduction:
There are significant contrasts between western and Indian classical music that classical music enthusiasts would hold dear. On the other hand, it isn’t impossible to unite these two musically disparate kids.
So many performances of western and Indian classical music fusion would not have taken place had that been the case; instead, violin, double bass, and clarinet are used in tandem with Saraswati veena and the Hindustani sitar.
What are the similarities and differences between Western and Indian classical music? We’ll discover it….
Classical Music’s Origins In The Western And India
It is believed that the first evidence of music in India dates back to the Vedic literature, which dates to around 500 BCE. Early scriptures were almost always written in couplet form, indicating that the practice and culture of rhythmic recitation were widespread.
Oral recitals were the primary means through which ancient Indian texts were transmitted from one generation to the next. There has been a parallel development in India’s classical music as well. An oral method of instruction was used for pupils of Indian classical music in the early days. Classes in Indian classical music are being taught this way even now.
Even better is that as Indian classical music is passed down from generation to generation, new practitioners have added their twists, making it even better. Throughout the subsequent years, documentation, categorization, and refinement proceeded.
French poet-musicians Troubadour and Trouvere, who set their poetry to tune, introduced Western Classical Music in the Middle Ages with the plainchants of the Roman Catholic Church.
Since its beginnings as a monophonic form of worship, Western classical music has evolved from religious hymns and prayers in churches to songs of courtly love performed by troubadours to refining rhythms, pitches, and instruments.
Several artists and instruments were involved, and the pitches and chords altered over time. Around the tenth and eleventh centuries, the first polyphonic works appeared.
As opera and orchestra began to be produced, western classical music thrived even more. As a result, not only has instrumental music evolved, but so has vocal music, and it is still changing now.
However, even though the two musical traditions were born in different parts of the world, they also have a number of similarities.
Firstly, the human soul is expressed through tone, rhythm, and melody, and this is a common thread.
In both traditions, dedication was the first human emotion represented via music, followed by love and other human feelings.
Even though Western and Indian classical music uses different terms to describe the same things, there are many similarities between the two styles.
For instance, both of the traditions use the identical grouping of seven swaras (west) notes (India). Indians name them Saptak, but Westerners call them Solfege.
Western and Indian classical music have the same fundamental elements in sound vibration, functionality, and compositional impact.
Pitch distance is an “octave” in Western classical music. Similarly, the octave in both traditions is split into 12 notes.
Indians, on the other hand, have ragas and threats for Western modes and scales. It’s not uncommon for threats and ways to share certain features in common. Aeolian method to Asavari; Phrygian to Bhairavi; Lydian to Kalyan; and Mixolydian and Aeolian modes in the west and India, respectively.
Indian and Western classical music both have a significant seasonal link. In both traditions, the musical compositions affected by thunder, rain, and the time of day may be found. These wonderful musical pieces bring forth the beauty of each four seasons.
They also delved into each season’s subtleties and correlated them with human emotions in Indian Ragas. Additionally, there is a set rule for what time of day each Raga should be performed. A few examples: Bhairavi in the morning; Deepan in the evening; Basant in the spring; and so on.