Hindustani vs Carnatic Music
Key Pointers
Aspect | Hindustani | Carnatic |
|---|---|---|
Region | North India | South India |
Influences | Persian/Arabic and Indian traditions (Mughal courts) | Mostly indigenous, temple traditions |
Raga system | 10 Thaats (Bhatkhande) | 72 Melakartas |
Emphasis | Improvisation (alap, jor, jhala, taan) | Compositions (kriti, varnam) with improvisation (alapana, neraval, kalpanaswaram) |
Time theory | Ragas linked to time of day/season | Less rigid time association |
Tala | Teentaal, Ektaal, Jhaptaal, Rupak | Adi, Rupaka, Triputa, Jhampa, Suladi Sapta talas |
Instruments | Sitar, sarod, tabla, santoor, sarangi | Veena, violin, mridangam, ghatam, flute, nadaswaram |
Vocal forms | Dhrupad, Khayal, Thumri, Tappa | Kriti, Varnam, Tillana, Javali |
Notation | Bhatkhande system | Sargam, Tamil/Telugu notations |
- Common features: Shruti, swara, raga, tala; spiritual orientation; guru–shishya parampara.
- Notes: Carnatic music places more emphasis on vocal-based composition even for instrumental performers.
MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is a feature of Carnatic music? (a) 10 Thaats (b) 72 Melakartas (c) Thumri (d) Khayal Answer: (b).
Q2. Ragas associated with specific times of the day are more characteristic of: (a) Hindustani (b) Carnatic (c) Both equally (d) Neither Answer: (a).
Q3. The mridangam is chiefly used in: (a) Hindustani music (b) Carnatic music (c) Qawwali (d) Dhrupad Answer: (b). The pakhawaj is used in Dhrupad.
Q1. Which of the following is a feature of Carnatic music?
(a) 10 Thaats
(b) 72 Melakartas
(c) Thumri
(d) Khayal
Answer: (b).
Q2. Ragas associated with specific times of the day are more characteristic of:
(a) Hindustani
(b) Carnatic
(c) Both equally
(d) Neither
Answer: (a).
Q3. The mridangam is chiefly used in:
(a) Hindustani music
(b) Carnatic music
(c) Qawwali
(d) Dhrupad
Answer: (b). The pakhawaj is used in Dhrupad.