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This section is meant to be a quick reference for the novice listener of classical music. It has no intentions or pretensions of being encyclopedic. This section has been edited by Pandit Vijay Kichlu and Ustad Shahid Parvez
- Saptak
The 7 main musical notes, Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa ,Dha, Ni emerge from 22 demonstrable musical points known as shrutis (microtones). You could write about the theory of shrutis forever. It would be futile. They can only be demonstrated by an accomplished musician and discriminately heard by an acutely trained ear. So for the rest of us mortals, there are 7 main notes. Sa and Pa have only one form. Re, Ga, Dha, and Ni have a natural (Shudh) form and an altered (Vikrit) from which is lower (Komal). The altered form of Ma is higher or teevra. Thus emerges the 12 note scale of 7 natural and 5 altered notes.
- Raga
Is the essence of classical music. It consists of a scale of 5-7 notes. It is neither a mood nor a melody. It is however, a precise scientific, aesthetic, and melodic framework established by tradition. Each raga is associated with a particular time of day and night. Some rags re associated with a particular season.
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Dhrupad is the oldest form of classical music. It is the parent form of Khayal.
- Khayal/ Bada Khayal
Khayal means imagination. It is the creative unfolding of the raga set to slow (vilambit) rhythmic cycles. In Dhrupad and Khayal lyrics takes second place to the raga.
- Thumri Is a lighter form of classical music. Concerts are usually concluded with a Thumri. In Thumri, lyrics play a prominent role. The composition tells a story. The embellishment of the raga and the unfolding of the story and its various emotions are expressed take place simultaneously. The artist can take creative liberties in bending the rules of the raga. Certain ragas like Kafi, Khamaj Pilu etc. lend themselves to expressions in Thumri.
- Tappa Is a composition set to medium or fast tempo. It is rendered in dynamic taan patterns. It is a form in which rhythm takes predominance.
- Bhajan and Ghazals are poetic compositions that can be expressed in raga based tunes.
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