Music of India

India is the largest country in South Asia. Its music is as vast as its geographic
location and as large as its demographic population. The music of India reflects different
aspects of Asian culture through its timbre, rhythm, melody, texture, form, and style. In
general, Indian music remains fundamental to the lives of the people of India as a source of
spiritual inspiration, cultural expression, and entertainment.

VOCAL MUSIC

 Includes Carnatic and Hindustani Music.

 Includes several types of folk and popular music.

 Uses Melesmatic singing with nasal vocal quality.

 Samagana is a traditional singing style of India. Used to sing sacred text: Sama
Veda and Rig Veda.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC FROM INDIA

1. CARNATIC MUSIC
 refers to music from South India.
 directed to a Hindu god, which is why it is called “temple music”
 unlike Hindustani music, Carnatic music is unified where schools are based on
the same ragas, the same solo instruments (veena, flute, violin) and the same
rhythm instrument (mridangam and ghatam)
 music pieces are mainly set for the voice and with lyrics.
 compositions called krti are devotional songs.
2. HINDUSTANI MUSIC
 goes back to Vedic period times around 1000 BC
 further developed in the 13th and 14th centuries AD with Persian influences
and from existing religious and folk music
 predominantly found in the northern and central regions
 influenced by ancient Hindu musical traditions, historical Vedic religion/Vedic
philosophy, native Indian sounds and enriched by the Persian performance
practices of the Mughal era
 nasal singing is observed in their vocal music
 in North India, the most common style of singing is called khyal, a word which
means imagination

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

 Instrumental music is often similar to vocal music but sometimes they have
distinctive instrumental styles. There are five known traditional systems for classification
of instruments.

Classification of Musical Instruments from India:

1. Ghan – described as a non-membranous percussive instrument but with

solid resonators. It is one of the oldest classes of instrument in India. It may
also be a melodic instrument or instruments to keep tal.

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 2. Avanaddh – Describe as a membranous percussive instrument. This class
of instruments typically comprise the drums
3. Sushir – Also know as “blown air” . It is characterized by the use of air to
excite the various resonators.
4. Tat – Referred to as vina during the old civilization. Instruments in this
class are plucked (stringed intruments).
5. Vitat – described as bowed stringed instruments. This is of the oldest
classifications of instruments and yet did not occupy a place in classical
Indian music until the last few centuries.

TALA

Rhythm plays an important role in Indian music. It is fundamental to the creation of

any musical system. Certainly, from a historical stand point, rhythm existed many centuries
ago before the word “rag” was ever used. Given this historical pre-eminence, it is not
surprising that rhythm occupies an important position in the Indian system of music.

Tala - literally meaning ‘clap;’ variously transliterated as “tal”, “taal” or “taala” - is a

regular, repeating rhythmic phrase, particularly as rendered on a percussive instrument
with an ebb and flow of various intonations represented as a ''theka'' - is the common
Indian system of rhythm

Theka - a sequence of drum-syllables or ''bol'' - in Indian classical music, both

Hindustani classical music and Carnatic music use complex rules to create elaborate
patterns of rhythm

Tabla - most common instrument for keeping rhythm in Hindustani music

Mridangam - most common instrument for keeping rhythm in Carnatic music

– also transliterated as “mridang

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 Recreation for a Healthy Lifestyle and Fitness

Recreation may be defined as those activities which an individual is not bound to do,
but instead are chosen from his establishment of values of what is enjoyable, satisfying,
appealing, or capable of sustaining pleasure and revitalizing his physical body, mind, and
emotion.

Different recreational activities during the ancient times

Ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptian according to history led a colorful and pleasant life. Their life
has been directed to the arts of living and dying. They have their recreational activities like
sports which are part of their education such as wrestling, gymnastics, ball games, and
weight lifting. They also have music, dance, and drama as their form of social
entertainment. It lasted until 5000 B.C.E.

Ancient Greece

During the Golden Age of Pericles from 500—400 B.C.E., Ancient Greece, particularly
Athens, reached the peak of its philosophical and cultural development. They performed
their recreations in several forms such as the arts, theatre, gymnastics, and athletics which
they used in their competition. Sports competition became part of the daily lives of their
people.

Middle Ages

The ancient Egyptian according to history led a colorful and pleasant life. Their life
has been directed to the arts of living and dying. They have their recreational activities like
sports which are part of their education such as wrestling, gymnastics, ball games, and
weight lifting. They also have music, dance, and drama as their form of social
entertainment. It lasted until 5000 B.C.E.

The Renaissance

This is marked by the transition from the medieval world to the modern age which
started in France in 1350 C.E. and later in England in 1500 C.E. They call this period as
“rebirth”. Painting, sculpture, dancing, and drama are their forms of recreation.

Why do we need to participate in recreation?

1. Socializing Behavior - a motive in recreation that includes companionship like
dating, visiting friends, and dancing in which the main purpose is relating to other
people in an informal or not stereotypical way.
2. Associative Behavior - coming together because of common interests like hiking
or collecting certain objects such as stamps.
3. Competitive Behavior – a recreational motive where an individual competes against
his environment or with his limitations. These recreational activities include
popular games and sports, competition in performing arts, or other outdoor
activities.
4. Exploratory Behavior - it involves exploration in a certain degree which includes
hiking, diving, and other activities which can open up a new environment for the
participant. 

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What are the values of recreation?
1. For Relaxation - doing some recreational activities release the tension from the
whole day of work and revitalize your senses resulting in  relaxation.
2. Reduce Stress – revitalizing you senses from loads of work in school,  at home, or
even work can be achieved through active participation in  recreational activities.
3. Health Impact – since recreation removes stress, it is definitely a vital activity
that could contribute to the health and wellness of an individual. 
4. Social Benefits – merging with other people with common interest is a value that
enables the individual to be more sociable and have a satisfying relationship
with others.
5. Effective Time Utilization - performing recreational activities is the  best thing
that you could do in using your leisure time. It benefits not only your mind and body but
also manage the use of your time in an  efficient and productive manner.
6.  Sharpen Skills – since recreation oftentimes are hobbies performed in the form of
sports and arts, utilizing the skill in that certain field will surely sharpen it for over a period
of time. 

Characteristics of recreation
1. Recreation is performed during leisure time. 
2. Recreation fits individual differences; it is wide and varied. 
3. Recreation is a diverse activity.
4. Recreation is voluntary.
5. Recreation is flexible.
6. Recreation is a must for all for balance growth.
7. Recreation and work are two different things; even if you are happy with your work,
it should not be mistaken as recreation. 

How is recreation is classified?

Arts and Crafts Fitness and Sports Outdoor activities Technology-Based

Sculpture Badminton Camping Internet surfing

Painting Basketball Hiking Playing Musical
Instruments
Drawing Football Orienteering Watching movies
Singing Jogging Mountaineering
Dancing Athletics
Gymnastics

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