What is Varna in Classical music?

What is Varna in Classical Music?

'VARNA'  is defined as the mode or manner of singing. It signifies the arrangement of notes in successive order. 'Varnas' are of four kinds. viz, Sthai, Arohi, Avarohi, and Sanchari.

STAHI VARNA : To sing or play on an instrument one and the same note over and over again is called 'Sthai Varna', e.q. "Sa Sa Sa Sa, Ga Ga Ga Ga etc.

AROHI VARNA : To sing or play on an instrument the notes in the ascending order starting from 'Sa' upwards up to 'Ni' is called 'Arohi Varna' e.q. 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni'.

AVROHI VARNA : To sing or play on an instrument the notes in descending order from 'Ni' downwards up to 'Sa' is called 'Avarohi Varna', e.g., 'Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa'

SANCHARI VARNA : It is the mixture of Sthai, Arohi and Avarohi Varnas. In other words, when the above three Varnas are sung together it becomes 'Sanchari Varna'. e.q., 'Sa Re Sa Re Ga Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa Re Sa Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ga Ma Ma Ma Re Re Sa'.

All the above mentioned four  Varnas are important in a Raga. In fact, while singing or playing a Raga on an instrument all the said four Varnas become clearly manifest and can be easily seen by the eye or perceived by the mind.

What is Shruti?

The term 'Shruti' is a Sanskrit word. It is derived from the root 'SHRU' which means 'to hear'. And 'Shruti' means that which can be heard Our writers on music have defined 'Shruti' in a very simple way thus : "Shruyate Iti Shruti" which means any sound capable of being heard is called "Shruti". This definition of Shruti seems to be very simple. But from the musical point of view it is not possible to give such a wide connotation to the word 'Shruti'. Because music is concerned with that sound alone which is capable of being used in music and not any kind of sound. Besides, the term 'Shruti' connotes that sound which can be distinctly identified by the ear. So we will have to restrict the meaning of 'Shruti' to the above said two conditions. Therefore, in order to understand the correct definition of  'Shruti' the following properties should be remembered :-

(1)   Sound which is capable of being used in music.

(2) Sound which can be clearly heard.

(3) Sound which can be distinctly identified by the ear.

DEFINITION OF SHRUTI : The sound which is capable of being used in music and which can be distinctly identified by the ear is called 'Shruti'. In other words, musical sounds which can be heard and distinguished one from the other are called 'Shrutis'. In Short, every distinct and audible musical sound is called 'Shruti'.

The definition of 'Shruti' given in the Sanskrit book entitled 'Abhinava Raga Manjari' is as under :

                   Nityam Geetopayogitwam Bhigyeatwam Pyatu,
                   Lakshae Proktam Supariyaptam Sangeet Shritu Lakshanam.

EXPLANATION : That sound which is capable of being used in music and which can be distinctly can be distinctly identified by the ear is called 'Shruti'.

As a matter of fact both 'Shruti' and 'Swara' are musical sounds capable of being heard. The distinction between the two is something like that which exists between the snake and its coil or between gold and the ornaments made out of it. All 'Shrutis' are capable of being used as 'Swaras' in various Ragas. The Shrutis that are actually used in a particular Raga become 'Swara' for that Raga and those that are not used in that Raga remain 'Shrutis' only. 'Swaras' or notes are musical sounds at large intervals while 'Shrutis' are musical sounds at very small intervals between two consecutive notes and are known as micro tones.

What is thaat?
https://allaboutmusicin.blogspot.com/2022/09/meaning-of-thaat.html

what is music or sangeet?

SANGEET OR MUSIC

"Sangeet" or music is the art of combining sounds so as to please the ear. In other words, any melodic or harmonic combination of notes whether produced by voice or instruments is known as Music or "Sangeet". Music is one of the fine arts which is concerned with the combination of sounds with a view to beauty of form and expressions of emotions. Technically speaking the term 'Sangeet' is a collective term and connoted vocal music, Instrumental music, and dancing. In common parlance 'Sangeet' means vocal music; and Instrumental music and Dancing are supposed to be depending on vocal music. In fact, vocal music instrumental music and dancing are so intimated connected with each other that the term 'Sangeet' means vocal music. In Short, Music or 'Sangeet' may be defined as the art of singing, dancing, and playing on Instruments.

Music is the finest of the fine arts. It is of universal appeal. It influences the old and the young, the rich and the poor all alike. Love of music is innate in man and pervades the animal kingdom as well. It is harmless among of all the pleasures of life. It is, indeed, a bliss to enjoy and cultivate music. It is international and knows no barriers of religion, race, caste and creed. It is one of the joys of humanity. In short, music refreshes the mind and elevates the soul. It gives perfect mental peace and is a panacea for many ills. It is said that "Music is a kind of inarticulate, Unfathomable speech which leads us to the edge of infinite,  unfathomable speech which leads us to the edge of infinite, and lets us for moments to gaze into it.

Once George Meredith told a woman, "God's rarest blessing is after all a woman ". The woman atones replied, "Rarer than that is music". Even Shakespeare has rightly described the art of music in the following manner :-

The man that has no music in himself, 

Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,

Is it fit for treason, stratagems and spoils,

The notions of his spirits are dull as night,

Let no such man be trusted.

Shakespeare (Merchant of Venice)

The famous philosopher and writer Plato has written in his book entitled 'Ideal State' that music is very useful for men and the youth can make his life happy by means of music and physical exercise.

 Even Dr. Rajendra Prasad the Late revered President of India has said, "Music occupies an important place in our lives...... From times immemorial we have learnt to appreciate music and to count it among the foremost achievements of man. Once Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru had remarked, while hoisting the flag on the Red-fort of Delhi, "The ways of relaxation might differ in different countries. But, there could be no dispute over the fact that relaxation through music was common everywhere. Music was not only interesting but also creative.... Music and poetry were necessary for the life of human being."

In fact, music is a big and sublime art. Its field is immeasurable. Its profundity and sublimity is unfathomable. Its entertainment is unique. Its effect is pure and holy. In short, it is more or less nectar to the dying and ambrosia to the lover of it. Such is the sublime of art of music

For the History of Indian Music Go to https://allaboutmusicin.blogspot.in/2017/04/history-of-indian-music-hindustani-music.html