Classical Hindustani Music: Priya Purushothaman

Thankfully, I was able to find a short video of a Hindustani concert where the instruments are clearly displayed. In keeping with the vocally based nature of Hindustani music, there are only three instruments in the ensemble. Most visible were the tabla, a pair of drums played with the hands. In the background, we see a large chordophone that is called a tanpura in Northern India and a tambura in Southern India. The instrument that played the most melodiously was the harmonium, an aerophone that could be compared to a western accordion. According to our textbook, it is a descendent of organ imported into India from Europe.

The song begins with a drone, as does most classical Hindustani music. What differs in this song is that the drone is played by both the harmonium and the tanpura at the same time. The tanpura is strummed but its sound is regular. The harmonium acts somewhat like a back-up singer as how it is mostly in the background, but occasionally comes to the forefront to add an ornament to the vocalist’s song. The vocals begin with a series of long and exaggerated notes. The beating of the tabla is the last element to arise, yet it begins the main part of the song. The vocals might be classified as repetitive, but I did perceive some deviations through out the song that might have been improvisations of raga. Towards the end of the song, there are small variations before a refrain of the main phrase of the melody. This brings the song to a close.

http://www.youtube.com/watch#v=tz1WUBYgL0g&feature=related