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by fermienrico
2034 days ago
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> There is actually a huge body of fixed compositions, for both melodic and rhythmic instruments, especially in Carnatic and Dhrupad traditions. Of course improvisation still plays a more important role vs. western classical music, but it is driven by a set of standard canonical themes. That hasn't been my observation at all. 100% of the stuff I find on Spotify is improvised and interpretative. Could you point to some specifics? Not only is that interesting, perhaps it can also provide insight into the underpinnings of the "identity" of a raga. I think there is definitely a commonality between different people rendering the raga but I haven't come across a "cookie-cutter" of the sorts. Thanks for your comment! |
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Khyal is mostly improvised, but even then if you listen closely there are common phrases and rhythmic patterns that get reused over and over again. Think of them as analogous to standard blues licks and riffs.
Also, if you are not a native speaker of Indian languages, especially with instrumental music you aren't hearing the words to the songs. A native listener would however recognize the fixed compositions and themes because they often know words that go along with them. I would recommend listening to the vocal renderings of Indian classical music to develop the sense.
Here are notes and lecture from a performance from the Dhrupad style that might help illuminate some of this:
https://asiasociety.org/video/gundecha-brothers-concert-high...