How to Perform Hindustani Vocal Music

Vocal music of northern India, or Hindustan, is one of the oldest forms of music. Hindustani centers upon a vocal performance, singing. In fact, most of the instruments developed especially for Hindustani were designed to closely resemble the human voice. There are several styles and ways to perform Hindustani music.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Learn the Hindustani musical scale. The scale is separated into 22 intervals of 7 primary notes. Sa - Re - Ga - Ma - Pa - Dha - Ni - sa. The 7 notes, called Sur', do not have equal intervals. A group of 7 sur' is called a saptak. The first and the fifth notes, or Sa and Pa notes, will never change their place on the 22 count interval, while all the other notes can be changed around for different rhythms.

2. Begin the Dhrupad style of Hindustani vocalization with a mantra, also called the Alap: "Om Anant tam Taran Tarini Twam Hari Om Narayan, Anant Hari Om Narayan." This is a sacred style of song, which by tradition is performed by a male and uses a tanpura and pakhawaj for accompaniments.

3. Express a lot of emotion to perform the Khayal form of Hindustani vocal music. The Khayal is 4 to 8 lines of lyrics like a poem put forth as a tune. It usually refers to 2 lovers or any situation that expresses intense feelings.

4. Convey a happy, joyful mood to perform the Tarana form of Hindustani. The Tarana form has several lines of rhythmic sounds that the performer will sing in a very fast and animated improvisation. Taranas are commonly saved for the last of a concert for the mood of elation they set.