Arabic and Indian Music - Research Paper Example

Hindustani music dates back to the 13th century AD and is mainly a north Indian classical music style and which originated from Vedic ritual chants, the ancient Persian of Musiqi-e assail tradition, and other traditional folk movements that were practised in the northern Indian subcontinent. The main classical genres under Hindustani music include dhrupad, khyal, sadra, dhamar, and tarana. Carnatic music dates back to the 15th century AD and began in south India mainly in the kanataka State. Carnatic music is melodic and pays more emphasis on the vocals since it is sung or performed using a singing style (Lavezzoli,  (2007, pp 54).

Arabic music is the music practised by Arabic people from the Arab world, mainly the Arabian Peninsula. This music is said to have been translated and developed from Greek musical theory and works of music. Arabic music has also been influenced by ancient Persian, Kurdish, Egyptian, Indian, Assyrian, North African, European, and Turkish music. The earliest form of Arabic music dates back to the pre-Islamic era when the music comprised of recited poems that had high notes (Racy, 2004, pp 96). The early Islamic period saw the development of the maqam system that forms the foundation of Arabic music. Modern Arabic music began in Egypt in the early 20th century, replacing Turkish music played then with new nationalistic music. Like any other type of music, Arabic music has interacted with other musical genres and styles practices in other regions. This has resulted in the creation of new Arabic music variations such as Arabic jazz, Franco-Arabic music, Arabic electronica, Arabic pop, and Arabic Rock. Cairo is the major cultural center of the Arab world and has been the main musical center as well. Many Arab musical trends have originated from this town, especially following the change from the music played under Turkish rule to a new form of nationalistic music adopted in Egypt (Touma, & Touma, 2003, pp 153).       

Both Arabic and Indian music have some common similarities, especially based on the significance they have in their cultures as well as the impact they have on the listeners.

Conversely, there are some differences between Arabic and Indian music, mainly concerning the place in which they are performed and the instruments that are used in each style.

Similarities between Arabic and Indian music

The Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula border each other and there have been numerous interactions over the years between the peoples from these two regions. This has resulted in the sharing and exchange of various cultural aspects unique to the cultures present in these two regions. One such area of exchange has been music, with Arabic and Indian music having some similarities between them. The major areas of similarities are the impact they have on the listeners and the significance they have in their cultures. In both the Arabic and Indian cultures, music is a major unifying aspect that enables people to come together and have a common feature to which they all appreciate. Music is also used to pass on teachings, educate, and pass on various cultural aspects of the Arabic and Indian cultures. Both Arabic and Indian music have healing and relaxation feeling on their listeners. Both Arabic and Indian music have meditative characteristic resulting in improved health, concentration, and general happiness.

Differences between Arabic and Indian music

There are major differences between Arabic and Indian music, mainly about the instruments that are used in each style and the places in which they are performed. Both Arabic and Indian music have major differences in the instruments used in each culture. Both Arabic and Indian music use percussive instruments, string instruments, and wind instruments, though Indian music also employs idiophones. Indian music instruments that are used mainly in Hindustani music include the veena, sitar, shehnai, sarod, chikara, santoor, sarangi, chenda, surbahar, thimila, tabla pakhavaj, tanpura, and bansuri. Musical instruments that are usually used in Carnatic music include the venu, kanjira, ghatam, maram, gottuvadyam, sundari, mridangam, sarinda, veena, swarabat, gubguba, and kamaicha (Nijenhuis, 1974, pp 164). Conversely, the most common Arabic music ensemble used in Egypt and other Arabic countries are known as the takht, consisted of the qānūn, oud, riq ney, dumbek rabab, and violin (Racy, 2004, pp 197).