In the two main forms of Indian classical music, improvisation plays a very significant role. In the South Indian variety of classical music, Manodharma comes into the main foray much later into the concert, within a span of 3-4 hours.
In the North Indian music, there are two main styles, which can be termed classical. a)Dhrupad or Dhruvapada, b) Khyaal or roughly translated as Imaginative music. While the South Indian music gives us very little leverage in the “Composed parts of the music” to be changed, altered or rendered in different ways, it definitely depends on the Artist’s caliber, experience and dexterity to handle each Raaga, composition or segment of the composition with elan and elegance.
In the North Indian music, Khyaal system is all about Imaginative Improvisation–right from the word go.
Manodharma itself means “Righteousness of the Mind” and since Music is all about a “Flow” there cannot be just one kind of such a righteousness while dealing with 12 Notes, 72 Parents scales and hundreds of thousands of Raagaas derived out of these Parent scales.
Here is an inspirational Poem by a friend for you all, relating to this subject of Manodharma–titled ”Communion”
“Communion”
Sunset kisses tenderly the shadows of the twilight, awakening the glittering multi-verses of time and space.
Carry on sweet Oneness, bring forth the night; where light can rest her weary head, her sleepless eyes and renew herself, bathing in dreams of tomorrow and never ending energies in quiet peaceful consciousness.
Cloak her in your abysmal fate, oh blanket of darkness, protect her virtue and allow her gentle sweet slumber. Caressing her in prophetic knowingness, that she will return when your mission completes itself
Whispering winds of song in lullabies from in-dwellings of the dreamscape as she gently sleeps.
Time stands still, as it seems, eternally waiting, watching for her awakened heart in the blissful dew kissed dawning of a new day.
Awaken, my pretty one, as the sun rises and tenderly kisses the purple morning, in glorious array of shades of light from prisms deep inside heaven’s aura of the deepest glittering multi-verses of time and space.
Sleep well, darkness, for light has arrived to allow your slumber. Caressing you in gentle prophetic knowingness that you will return as the sun sets once again.
Sleep well, My Beloved.
(Poem by Anne Boon, NC, USA) She is a very inspirational friend from North Carolina.
more articles by Jagan Ramamoorthy
- Microtones,Microtonal music-Healing powers & Influence on Human Consciousness and DNA-An Eastern perspective
- 72 scales called Melakarrtaas–A rare gift to the music world
- Raagas and the way Stalwarts handle these.. South/North Indian classical Music
- The Nature of Sound- “Naada”
- Traditional and Aesthetical aspects of Indian music
- Introduction to my style of music and my personal profile
- The Divine Sound- “Naada” Or “Pure Tone”
