Music

Indian classical music is often described as a river with many tributaries—ancient, slow-moving, and profoundly deep. While popular ragas such as Yaman, Bhairav, and Bhimpalasi continue to flow vibrantly through concert halls and classrooms, there exists another, quieter stream: rare ragas. These are melodic entities that survive in fragments—preserved in old manuscripts, guarded within specific gharanas, or remembered through the voices of a few devoted maestros. This blog i

The sitar, one of the most iconic string instruments of Indian classical music, has a rich history interwoven with the traditions and gharanas (musical schools) that have shaped its evolution. With its resonant strings and intricate melodies, the sitar has captivated audiences worldwide and become a symbol of India's rich musical heritage. This blog explores the gharanas and music traditions associated with the sitar, delving into their origins, techniques, styles, and the ma

The Maihar Gharana is one of the most influential and prestigious schools of Indian classical music, renowned for its unique contributions to Hindustani music, particularly in the realm of instrumental music. The gharana (or "school" in music) traces its roots to the small town of Maihar in Madhya Pradesh, a place that became the cradle of a new musical movement under the leadership of one of the greatest maestros of Indian classical music, Ustad Allauddin Khan. The Maihar Gh

Lalon Shah, also known as Lalon Fakir (1774-1890), was a well-known philosopher, poet, composer, social reformer, and secular thinker. In Bengali culture, he is renowned as a symbol of religious tolerance and secularism, and his songs have inspired many poets as well as social and religious intellectuals. There is little information accessible regarding Lalon's early life because he was quite private about his history. Despite this, much speculation has surrounded his physica

Renowned musician, the creator of divine ragas and melodies of Indian Classical music, Tansen. His full name is Ramtanu Pandit. The Mughal emperor Akbar honored him with the title Tansen. The meaning of Tansen is the one who touches the heart with music. He could set fire with his singing if he wanted, and also could make the rain fall from the sky just by singing, just weas the power of his musical notes, his purity of 'swar'. Tansen was not only a great singer but also a co

Western classical music originated from the Latin word classicus. The music has enriched over 800 years. Western Classical music has derived two forms. The Church music and the Secular Music. Church music included Gregorian chants, Carols, etc. Secular music includes sonatas, concertos, symphonies and opera. Medieval (c.1150 – c.1400) The earliest form of written secular music dates from the 12th century troubadours (in the form of virelais, estampies, ballades, etc.), but mo