Hindustani Classical Music

Hindustani Classical Music: A Brief Introduction

Indian music is divided into two parts: 

1. Carnatic classical music, which is majorly dominant in southern India

2. Hindustani classical music, which is dominant in the northern part of the country. 

This article will revolve around Hindustani classical music.

Hindustani classical music or 'shastriya sangeet', as they call it in Hindi, is regarded as one of the world's most challenging forms of music. A student has to go through a lot of training under his/her guru before he/she becomes capable of singing any classical-based raga. 

The foundation of Indian music is spirituality. It is no coincidence that after listening to any Indian classical piece, you feel a deep silence within you. Indian music, or classical music of any other culture for that matter, develops a deep connection between the listener/performer and God. For that very reason, music in general, was used to praise and pray to God.