Ground rules of Indian Music

Indian music has great importance at global level. Elements of music are ingrained in its tradition and culture. Music not only entertains people but it acts as a means of behavior modification, if one understands the elements of music. India is highly rich country in traditional and classical music. People from allover the world hearty appreciate and feel sense of music through great Indian musicians.

Raag and Taal are the basis of Indian classical music. The word "raag" is derived from the Sanskrit "raaga" which means "color or passion" It is thought of as an aural method of refreshing the mind of the listener with an emotion. Custom ascribes certain raags to be sung at particular times of the day.

A number of raagas express certain moods or emotions, and some are believed to characterize gods, ascetics, or devotees. The object of a raaga combination is a set of "notes". Raagas are made of different combinations of seven notes (sapta swara). In spite of whether the raaga performance is vocal or instrumental, a buzz is invariably heard in the background. It has been observed that inventiveness is an indispensable feature of Indian music.

With imagination and the creativity, a great artist can communicate and inspire in his listener the mood of the Raaga. All the raagas are divided into two groups -- Poorva Raagas and Uttar Raagas. The Poorva Raagas are sung between 12 noon and 12 midnight. The Uttar Raagas are sung between 12 midnight and 12 noon.

There are a limited number of raagas in Indian music; as the use of a "king" note and a "queen" note restricts to a great extent, the creation of new raagas. The following steps are required in the creation of a Raaga -

Thaats or sequence of notes,
Jaatis or classification
"King" and "Queen" relation of the notes, i.e. Vadi and Samvadi
The Ascent and Descent of the raag, i.e. Aroha and Avaroha
Important cluster of notes
Pitch
Speed.

The elements of raag are Alap, Jor,Jhala and Gat. "Alap" is the first movement of the Raaga. "Jor" begins with the added element of rhythm which (combining with the weaving of innumerable melodic patterns) gradually grains in tempo and brings the raaga to the final movement. "Alap" is the first movement of the Raaga. It is a slow, serene movement acting as an invocation and it gradually develops the Raaga. "Jhala" is the final movement and climax. It is played with a very fast action of the plectrum which is worn on the right index finger. "Gat"is the fixed composition.

Taal is a musical cycle containing a fixed number of beats. These are rhythmic cycles ranging from 3 to 108 beats. It gives the rhythmic foundation of the melodic structure and is performed on drums. The series of beats serves as a framework on which the drummer plays rhythmic patterns associated with a particular taala. The taala is divided equal or unequal in length. As a rule, the first beat of a section receives an accent. The most important intonation occurs on the very first beat of the taala cycle; at this point the vocalist sings or plays an important tone of the raaga, and the drummer accents this with an appropriate drum stroke.

Students who take interest in traditional Indian music must know details of above concept. They can shape their career through deep knowledge of learning core concept and regular practice. It is highly profitable and reputed field. Person can earn money as well as reputation in society.