Indian Music - History

The history of South Indian music

The origins of Indian music are traced to prehistoric antiquity. One widespread theory holds that there has been a gradual development from simple forms and techniques to more complex ones.

On the other hand, the rich store of melody, rhythm and instrumental technique found among tribal musicians makes it probable that sophisticated music emerged long before theoretical rules (lakshana) were framed for the first time almost two thousand years ago. Art or concert music in South India is called Karnataka Sangitam ("Karnatic music" in English). Its history gains sharper contours from the Renaissance period which, in South India, had its centre in the Vijayanagar empire (1336-1565). Ramamatya, a 16th century music scholar at Vijayanagar, laid the foundations for the present theoretical framework of South Indian music.

The present system of 72 scales (melas) was developed on the foundations laid by Venkatamakhin in the 17th century. Perfected by later theoreticians, the mela-janya raga system provided composers with virtually unlimited scope for melodic variety.

The system of ten scales (that) presently followed by most North Indian (Hindustani) musicians is also based on the mela or melakarta system. However, because of its accuracy, internal consistency and differentiation, some leading Hindustani musicians have begun to adopt the southern system of 72 melas in preference to the system of thats which V.N. Bhatkhande had developed and introduced earlier in this century. These highly educated performers pursue a music that, although rooted in tradition, has greater scope for their imagination and virtuosity.