The Origin Of Indian Classical Music

The origin of Indian Classical Music dates all the way back to the ancient period, i.e., prehistoric times (Vedic times). India’s Classical Music has its roots in the Vedas. According to popular belief, Indian Classical Music has Divine Origins. The purest form of sound was considered as equal to cosmic energy. Consequently, music, spirituality, and religion were always closely connected. Classical music evolved from the religious poems and chants of the Vedic period. These chants were later codified by the sage Bharata (India). Ever since, Classical music has developed through

very complex interactions between people of different races, communities, cultures and faiths.

In this article, we will be discovering the origin of Classical Music from the Vedas.

Vedas are the ancient scriptures of the religion of Hinduism (a.k.a Sanatan Dharma, which means Eternal Order)The word “Veda” (in the language of Sanskrit) means “Knowledge”. They are known to contain the fundamental knowledge on the topics of function and personal response to existence. The Vedas existed orally and were passed on from teacher (Guru) to student (Shishya) for generations until they were finally written down. They were committed to writing between 1500 BCE and 500 BCE. Therefore, The Vedas are regarded as “Shruti” which translates to “what is heard”. On the contrary, the other religious texts are regarded as “Smriti” which translates to “what is remembered. The four Vedas are considered the literal sounds of the Divine which, when recited or sung, recreate the primal vibrations of the universe. The Veda which lays the foundation of today’s Indian Classical Music, is the Sama Veda.

There are four Vedas:

1) The Rig Veda

2) The Yajur Veda

3) The Sama Veda

4) The Atharva Veda

Each of the above are divided into types of texts within them:

a) The Aranyakas- Rituals and observances

b) The Brahmanas- Commentaries on said rituals

c) The Samhitas- benedictions, prayers and mantras (chants)

d) The Upanishads- philosophical narratives and dialogues.

THE RIG VEDA

The first hymns of the Rig Veda were composed more than 6000 years ago. The hymns of the Rig Veda were recited in various manners. They developed and evolved with time.

1) They were first recited monotonously- Archika Gaana

2) Then, they were recited with a two-toned chant- the Gathika

3) It further developed into a three-toned chant- the Samika

In the Samika manner of recitation, there was one leading tone- Swarita and two accents in a higher pitch- Udatta and a lower pitch- Anudatta.

The purpose of this layered manner of recitation was to emphasize and highlight different portions of the text, based on requirements.

THE YAJUR VEDA

The Yajur Veda consists of ritualistic descriptions. It mentions the instrument Veena as an accompaniment to vocal recitations during Vedic fire rituals or Yagnas. Here, the chants consisted of two main tones and two accents, forming a tetrachord. (first four notes)

THE SAMA VEDA

The Sama Veda laid the foundation of Indian Classical Music. It added 3 more tones to the 4 notes mentioned in the Yajur Veda (the Tetrachord). This resulted in the existing full scale of 7 notes, also known as the “Saptak”. There were also important intervals within this scale. The Octave is also mentioned here.

THE ATHARVA VEDA

The Atharva Veda is a collection of hymns composed by the sage named Atharvan. During the Vedic times, while performing rituals like yagnas, the Vedic hymns were chanted with different notes. The first ever reference to Musical Theory, is found in the Rik Pratisakhya. The Rik Pratisakhya is the grammar of the Rig Veda and one of the 6 treatises which belongs to the same period as the Upanishads. The Rik Pratisakhya mentions the primary 3 notes and the Octave, also known as Saptak.

THE UPANISHADS (2000 BCE)

The Upanishads are the concluding portions of the Vedas, which summarises their essence. They are considered as literature which is independent from the Vedic hymns. The Upanishads are the highest and most authentic form of philosophy and speculative thoughts in India.

The Saptak i.e. the 7 notes (a.k.a. the Octave) is discussed in detail in the Upanishads. There is a mention of “Adhara Shadja” which means “keeping the tonic note- Sa constant”. All the melodies in Indian Classical music are sung with the tonic note Sa as the base.

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Sources:

1) Mark, Joshua J. “The Vedas.” World History Encyclopedia, 1 June 2020, www.worldhistory.org/The_Vedas/.

2) Subramaniam, L., and Viji Subramaniam. Classical Music of India: A Practical Guide. Tranquebar Press, 2018.