History Of Indian Music (Hindu Period)
The history of Indian Music may be broadly classified into three categories:-
1.Hindu Period: from Indus Valley civilization to the 10th century.
2. Mohammadan Period : From 11th century to the 18th century.
3.British Period : From 19th century till Independence.
(1) HINDU PERIOD
The origin of Indian music has always been described in a very fanciful way which were very religious there is no proof if that is correct or not but according to Hindu mythology it is said that Brahma created the science of music and taught it to lord Shiva. And then Shiva taught it to Goddess Saraswati. And from Saraswati it passed on to Narad ( who is said to wander about earth and heaven). And he taught this art to the Gandharvas (heavenly singers), Kinnars (heavenly intrumental performers) ana Apsaras (heavenly dancers).And at the end, Narada (not the above mentioned) and Hanuman spread this art to people on earth.
To understand the actual origin lets begin from
Indus valley civilization (3200 B.C.)
There were several idol of female dancers with different dancing poses found in the excavations of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, pictures of instruments etc. And it clearly showed the fact that the music was very popular during those days and the standards of music also seemed very high.
Vedic Period (2500 B.C.)
This period began with the advent of Aryans in India. Music was very prevalent during this time and dancing was performed by both sexes.During that period 'Tata Vadya or Chordophones'(string instruments) ; 'Avanaddha-vadya or Membrophones (made of hollow cylnders) ; sushir-vadya or Aerophones(played with mouth) ; Ghan-vadya or Autophones(played with sticks or percussion on solid body).
The character of the artists of the vedic peroiod were very strong. The were prepared to sacrifice anything for the cause of music. They were considered as member of higher class in the society.
Ramayana and Mahabharata Age(about 1900 B.C and 1400 B.C)
In Ramayana there is a mention that Ravan was a good musician both in theory and practical. He had good musicians in his court and he himself attended musical gatherings from time to time. 'Jati-Gyan' was also mentioned and instruments such as Veera, Mridanga, Dumdubhi, Mudduk etc was also made. It was also mentioned that Lava and Khush, the sons of Ram, recieved their musical training at the ashram of sage valmiki and they also gave their performance of 'Marg sangeet' before their father Ram. We can also find mention of the theory of consonance of notes in Mahabarata. Besides, Sri Krishna was an expert flute player at that time.
Panini's Grammar(About 350 B.C)
He mentioned about Mridanga, Maddukaa and Jharjhara and of concerts of vocalists and dancers. The usual recreation women was singing and dancing. The seven notes were designated by their initial letters "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni".
The Rulers OF Magadha:(About 500 B.C - 325 B.C)
During thid period Bimbsar, Ajata Shatru and the kingf of 'NAND' dynasty ruled in India. Vocal music singing and dancing were the recreations of women. Men too were fond of singing
Maurya Rulers : ( About 322 B.C- 185 B.C)
Chandra Gupta Maurya was a great lover of music. He heard the performances of vocal music, instruments and dance and even joined them in their performances. Dancing, singing, and instrumental music performed an important limb of all festivals.
Kushan Rulers(78 B.C- 185 A.D)
Kanishka being a great ruler of that time loved both music and literature. Ashwa Ghosh a famous musician, dramatist and philosopher adourned his court. He wrote a poetical book named "Buddha-Charitra", the poems given in this book were sung by both male and female.
Natya Shastra of Bharat:(third century)
Shri Bharat wrote his famous grantha entitled "Natya Shastra" in the third century A.D. A detailed description of "Natya", "Nritta", and "Nritya" is given in this grantha. There is also Vivid description of Shruti, Swara, Grama, Moorchhana, eighteen kind of Jatis (Jati gyan) etc. He has accepted 'Shruti' as a unit of measurement for fixing his Shuddha Swaras. He believes in equality of " Shrutis" and his Shuddhs scale" is of twenty two equal "Shrutis".
Gupta Period:(320-495 A.D.)
During this period there was a revolutionary progress in music. Singing, Dancing and playing on instruments reached their climax. All the kings of Gupta dynasty were great lovers of music. It was during this period that "Ragas" were introduced. There was all round progress in music. And, Gupta period is rightly called as the Golden age of Music.
Samudra Gupta:(335-375 A.D)
Samudra Gupta was very fond of literature and music. He had great respect for poets and musicians. he stand forth as a real amn, a scholar, a poet, a musician and a warrior. He was a great composer himself. He composed various songs and rendered them into notation. He was an expert veena player and no one could challenge him in this. He loved to witness dramas also. He was so fond of music that every time he returned conquering a land he would throw a huge festival with dance and music to mark his memorable victory.
Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya(375-413)
He too had a great respect for poets and musicians. The greaty poet Kalidas flourished in his court. He wrote famous drams Meghdut and Sakuntala. Kalidas composes the songs of his dramas in 'Ragas'. For example one song which the Nati sings in the prelude to the opening act of Abhijnan Shakuntalam is composed in Raga "Madhmadi Sarang". This it was clear that there was an overall progress in music during those days.
Matang Muni (sixth century)
Matang Muni wrote a book named Brahaddeshi in the sixth century. In this granth we can find for the first time the use of the word Raga. "He said in introducing Raga system that the Raga-way was neither explained nor referred to by Bharat and others, it was upto him to explain the same in accordance with the practice then current". This showed that raga system was already ripe and had developed well respected standards in the days of Matanga. In Brahadeshi there is a mention of other topics on music almost like that of Bharat's Natyashastra.
Harshvardhan:(606-647 A.D.)
Harshavardhan loved both music and literature. He was a good dramatist and has written three dramas, viz, Ratnavali, Priyadarshika and Nagananda. He was also a good singer. His sister Rajshri too loved music and drama and was an adept in arranging music festivals at different places. Thus, music was greatly improved during this time.
Rajput Period(650-1200 A.D.)
The rajputs could not make any substantial progress in music because most of their time was consumed in fighting but they were fond of music and had great respects for musicians. During this period many books were written in history, politics, dramas, etc. 'Bhavabhutt' a great dramatist flourished during his period and wrote famous dramas like Malti-Madhava, Mahabir- Charit and Uttar-Ram-Charit in which music was prominent. But no substantial progress could be made.
Naradi-Shiksha: (10th century)
Narada wrote a book named 'Naradi-Shiksha'. In this book there is a mention of Grama-Ragas. For the first time he introduced 'Raga-Ragini' 'Putra-Raga' and 'Putra-Badhu' system which remained for a long time in Norhern-System of music for a long time.
Geet-Govind of Jaideva:(Twelfth Century )
The first singer of the twelfth century was the famous Jaideva. He was from bengal. He wrote the famous book "Geeta-Govinda" which shows the love songs of "Krishna" and "Radha". But, there is no notation of these songs.
Find The Mohammadan period on this Link https://allaboutmusicin.blogspot.in/2017/05/history-of-indian-music-mohammadan.html
