Indian classical music and Western classical music

 Well many of us know what Indian classical music (ICM) is.. and many of us know what western classical music (WCM) is..

Are they related??

Are they similar??

Here we go.!! Few basic differences and similarities are..!!

ICM is primarily homo phonic which means its focus is on melodies created using a sequence of notes.Its magic is primarily experienced with different melodies constructed within the framework of raagas,

WCMs magic lies to a great extent in polyphonic composition, where counterpoint, harmony and the texture created using multiple voices is critical. Melody exists in WCM too, but from a broader perspective.

COMPOSED V/S IMPROVISED

WCM is composed ICM is improvised

All WCM compositions are formally written using staff notation and performers have virtually no latitude for improvisation (Im talking about classical music)

The converse is the case with ICM, where most of the compositions are not written down in a fixed manner, and even if it is written we have much scope for improvisation in the form of ragalapana, swarakalpana, neraval, etc or rather the written part is considered as the basic and improvisation is considered most important..

VOCALS/IMPROVISATION

Vocals are both used in ICM and WCM, but the way they are treated in relation to other instruments is different,

When vocals are used in ICM, all the rest of the instruments are mere "accompaniments". There are tanpooras that act like drones, harmoniums that follows the tonality of the voice by providing chords, etc

In WCM, when vocals are used, the instrumentation still carries a lot of weight in the overall composition.

"Voice" forms the basis of the structure surrounding an ICM recital,

Whereas it  is an addition to the instrumentally generated structure of a WCM composition.

The term "voice" is hence used in a generic way in WCM and doesnt always mean the human voice. The "voice" can be a theme played by an instrument.

Thus one can have a four voice piece being played on the piano using two hands where each hand is playing on eof the four voices at any given time.

GROUP V/S INDUVIDUAL DYNAMICS

In ICM , an induvidual shines through his/her improvisation

In any recital or performance, there is a lead vocalist or an instrumentalist who expands the raga, while others providing accompaniment related to the background(except for occasional interludes where they show off thier virtuosity ).

In WCM, the composer and conductor shine as individual, but the performance is largely a group effort.

It is only under solo works and solo concertos that individual performers are under spot light.

RHYTHM

ICM uses "Taal" a cycle of beats which repeats as a cycle.

WCM does not use such complex beats

SHRUTI/MICROTONES :

ICM makes intensive use of quarter tones/ micro tones, usually referred as "shruti"

WCM has a few micro tonal pioneers in recent times, but has a largely been restricted to using semitones.

CONSONANCE /DISSONANCE :

Consonance means combination of notes that sound pleasant to most people when played at the same time,
Dissonance means combination of notes that sound harsh or unpleasant to most people.

ICM doesn't encourage dissonance.
WCM uses dissonance extensively to add to the texture of the composition.

NATURE AND SPIRITUALITY :

ICM has closer, intimate association with the nature than WCM

Ragas have specific times of a day or seasons of the year associated with them while most of WCM doesnt have any such characteristic
.
This is the article ive been wating to share..!!

If you find any more simlarities or differences..!! I would love to add them in this article..!!

Pl. note : These articles are purely out of my personal interest..!! and my study..!! with a good intension of sharing it with all lovely aspiring singers.!!  :)

Hope you like it.,!!

If yes, share it,, Spread music..!! Get addicted.. !! :)