What is the difference between Hindustani and Carnatic Music? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between Hindustani and Carnatic Music?

Asked by T. Lopez, Last updated: Apr 14, 2024

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4 Answers

M. Pollock

M. Pollock

A person who loves taking epic photos and an avid traveler

M. Pollock
M. Pollock, Photographer, BA, Camden Town

Answered Oct 13, 2020

Hindustani and Carnatic are music systems in India. Hindustani music is raga based while Carnatic is Kristi based. Carnatic music has differently styled, such as Madurai Mani Iyer, G.N. Balasubramanian, and so on, while that of Hindustani music has different Shailey. The Hindustani music stresses pure note while the Carnatic ragas are gamaka based.

In the Hindustani raga, essays are stressed from note to note while in Carnatic, they are stressed from phase to phase. The Carnatic concept includes upapakkavayam, Tani avaratanam, while the table player intersperses the main artist’s sols, which don’t exist in the Hindustani music.

The Hindustani has a different repertoire for instrumental and vocal while the Carnatic instrumentalists play the same composition as the vocalist. The violin is a major instrument for the Carnatic while sarangi is a major accomplishment for Hindustani music.

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C. Perez

C. Perez

Just getting better day by day

C. Perez
C. Perez, Writer, Writer, Cleveland

Answered Oct 13, 2020

One of the major ways to differentiate between Hindustani and Carnatic Music is by comparing their origin. While the origin of Hindustani music can be traced to Vedic traditions, the origin of Carnatic music can be traced to Bhakti traditions.

Although both Hindustani and Carnatic Music was initially the same, their differences began to show after being influenced by the two traditions listed above. There are six principal ragas in Hindustani music, plus ten modes, while there are ten scales of seven notes plus 72 modes in Carnatic music. Although the words used in Hindustani music are formal, they are not well and properly articulated.

In contrast, the words used in Carnatic music are well composed and articulated. The reason is that Carnatic music is used mostly to express emotion. Hindustani music doesn't really support improvisation, while Carnatic music allows you to improvise.

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T. Wikati

T. Wikati

T. Wikati
T. Wikati, Technical Writer, New York

Answered Oct 11, 2020

Hindustani and Carnatic are two types of music. This music is prominent in India. One of the differences between them is where the music is heard at and the two types of music reflects the divide in India.

Another difference between them is in regards to the artist. Between the two, Carnatic music celebrates the vocals of the artist on the tract. Hindustani does not focus on the vocals as much. Though it does not focus on the vocals, Hindustani has a standout style of vocals that the artists use.

Along with the vocals, the two music styles differ in flexibility. Hindustani is more flexible in style than Carnatic.

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C.Charlotte

C.Charlotte

C.Charlotte
C.Charlotte

Answered Feb 17, 2020

Hindustani and Carnatic are two types of music that are similar, but yet different from each other. They reflect the North-South divide in India, which is evident in all walks of life. Hindustani and Carnatic styles of music are monophonic and make use of a tambura to sustain the melody. There are a more significant number of ragas in Carnatic music than Hindustani music.

Even if ragas are the same, they can be delivered in entirely different styles in Hindustani or Carnatic music. Hindustani music does not celebrate the vocal artist the same way that Carnatic music does. Carnatic music is considered to be more inflexible than Hindustani music, as there is a particular way of singing involved. On the other hand, there is more than a distinct style of singing in Hindustani music.

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