TYPES OF INDIAN MUSIC

Classical Indian music is mainly divided into two branches, North and South. The South Indian music is called Carnatic, in reference of the Southern State of Karnataka, and the northern branch, Hindustani, in reference of the Hindi speaking region going to North-West Frontier and to Poorab, the East.

Hindustani : North Indian music is popularly known as Hindustani music. Hindustani Music has never been really unified, many styles and genres have been developed and encouraged by a family system called Gharana or Family. The names of the gharanas are almost always derived from a geographical location. The word "Gharana" literally means "house" and it implies the house of the teacher. Each Gharana has preserved its own tradition of music and the musical compositions. Each Gharana has got a particular discipline, system and style. The gharanas were entrusted with the duty of maintaining a certain standard of musicianship.

Carnatic : South Indian Music is called Carnatic music. This "temple music", whether vocal or instrumental, is always directed to a Hindu god. Being also the music of religious dance, it has needed rhythms both light and complex. Carnatic music is nearly totally unified and the different schools are based on the same ragas (about 300 different ragas), same solo instruments, mainly the veena, flute, violin and same rhythm instrument, the mridangam and the ghatam.
Carnatic music is more an achievement of individual styles rather than a music from schools, such as can be found in the North.

Folk: Folk music, on the other hand, has different forms depending on the region it belongs to. With flexibility in its expression, it is not bound by laws or any set pattern. Folk music has its peculiar expressions and emotions and has established a tradition of its own.