Live data from Hacker News

Ragya – Indian classical music played by time of the day

ragya.com

1–10 of 97 posts

Re: Ragya – Indian classical music played by time of the day

#3

Thank you! I was literally looking for an Indian music alternative to Generative.fm. May not have been the use case you are trying to target, but it is the use case for me :) Big shout out to Generative.fm as well!

Thanks for Generative.fm info. Never heard of that before. Wondering what would be mix of both generative and ragya with some AI magic.

Re: Ragya – Indian classical music played by time of the day

#6
Here is my basic understanding of Indian music: The northern and southern parts have their own styles but with overlaps. What's amazing is that Indian classical music has no key. There is no absolute sense of middle C or whatever. It is relative to the tuning of the drone. I don't have a strong background in music, but this seems to get rid of the complexity of the notation system in the west with a much more fluid aspects - pick a note and make it the root. Off you go. That's the key you're in.

Furthermore, I find the construction of these musical scales (correct me if I am wrong but there is no analog in western classical music of what a raga is) very interesting. Going up in the scale is different than going down and there are some key phrases that identify a raga. Then its all about interpretation.

Is there any specific tabla percussion associated with a Raga?

Some of my favorites:

- Raga Bhimapalasi: Beautiful lazy afternoon raga.

- Raga Tilak Kamod: I would describe this raga as a playful and less serious, very romantic.

- Raga Bhairav: Intense and great for early mornings. For reflective, pensive moods.

- Raga Desh: Festive feel to it.

I personally like vocal renditions of ragas. Spotify has a large selection.

Re: Ragya – Indian classical music played by time of the day

#8
post #5

If you like that you might like this film on the Dhrupad genre; https://youtu.be/Lye2FSx0F4c

Dhrupad is a fascinating style of Indian classical music, whose origins predate many of the musical system schisms, identities, and boundaries that have emerged in Indian Classical music over the recent couple centuries.

Every time I attempt to categorize it as one or the other, either by theory, language, religion, or culture, I learn about a new facet that defies that categorization.

Re: Ragya – Indian classical music played by time of the day

#9

Here is my basic understanding of Indian music: The northern and southern parts have their own styles but with overlaps. What's amazing is that Indian classical music has no key. There is no absolute sense of middle C or whatever. It is relative to the tuning of the drone. I don't have a strong background in music, but this seems to get rid of the complexity of the notation system in the west with a much more fluid a…

> What's amazing is that Indian classical music has no key. There is no absolute sense of middle C or whatever. It is relative to the tuning of the drone

Yes, but practically there are standard pitch zones based on the tunability of certain instruments, particularly percussion.

> Going up in the scale is different than going down and there are some key phrases that identify a raga. Then its all about interpretation.

Sometimes but not always. Most ragas are the same ascending and descending. They are more like the western modes system.

> Then its all about interpretation.

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.

> Is there any specific tabla percussion associated with a Raga?

Not formally, but as one develops as an Indian classical percussionist, you develop an ear for what sorts of rhythmic passages pair with certain types of melodic structures. For example, the rapidly rolling rhythmic structure known as a Rela pairs with steady fast pulsating melodic patterns.

In terms of the actual type of percussion instrument there is a strong pairing, however. Tabla in particular is used in the Khyal style (the most prominent style of North Indian classical music and what you have likely been listening to), and is also used extensively in folk music. The Pakhawaj, a much lower pitch drum, is used with the Dhrupad style. Carnatic percussion, however, comprises a much larger variety of instruments, prime among them and closely related to the aforementioned Pakhawaj is the Mridangam.

Post reply on HN