Hindustani and Kamatak music developed into two independent systems of music emerging from the same, single source- Vedas. India had one system of music throughout the country till about the 13th century. Haripala, for the first time, mentioned the terms Hindustani and Carnatic (Carnatic) music.
With the advent of Muslim rule in the North, the art of Indian music interacted with the Arabian and Persian systems of music. Patronized by the Muslim rulers in their royal court, the Indian music branched out to develop along with a new dimension. Comparatively, South India remained undisturbed without any foreign invasions or upheavals. Indian classical music continued to prosper and grow along the ancient traditional way encouraged by temples and traditional Hindu Kings.
Differences
- Hindustani music is raga based while Carnatic is kriti-based.
- Hindustani stresses pure notes versus the gamaka-based Carnatic ragas.
- Raga essays (alapanas) are elaborated from note to note in Hindustani and from phrase to phrase in Carnatic.
- Hindustani has different shailey and Carnatic music has styles such as that of Madurai Mani Iyer, G.N.Balasubramaniam, and so on.
- Hindustani has a separate repertoire for instrumental and vocal while Carnatic instrumentalists till recently played the same kriti-based compositions as the vocalists did.
- The concept of upapakkavadyam does not exist in Hindustani music.
- The sarangi is a major accompaniment in Hindustani, while the violin reigns in Carnatic.
- The concept of tani avartanam is found in Carnatic music, while the tabla player intersperses the main artist’s rendering with solos.
Positive effects of technology on Indian classical music
- The music of the musician, composer, and other details can be saved and preserved in Audio as well as a visual mediums for the benefit of posterity.
- Technology has made music learning more accessible to all learners and aficionados alike. Shishyas (students) are learning music using technology like Skype where the guru is in India and the student in the USA.
- Technology is helping to enhance the learning experience of Indian music by providing access to world-class music at your fingertips through YouTube, music apps, live streaming on Facebook, TV, and the like.
- It has also helped Indian music to get global recognition and fan following with many of the great Indian musicians able to perform worldwide to packed audiences.
- Technology has had its effects with electronic tamburas, violins, and keyboards adapted into music performances.
- Technology will provide security from misuse and tampering with secure storage and access rights.
Negative effects of technology on Indian classical music
- Technology has made the learners more and more dependent on it with reduced capacity to retain the memory of the lessons learned in the earlier days.
- The negative effects of technology like excessive dependence on tech, and privacy protection.
- A guru and the environment created by him or her can never be replaced with technology.
All the advancements in technology can encourage or impede the spread of a strong tradition of Indian music reaching greater heights based on its usage.