Indian Classical

Within India there are two classical traditions. Hindustani is the northern tradition of Pakistan, North India and Bangladesh, and Carnatic is the southern style of South India and Sri Lanka. Both styles have an extensive theoretical literature preserved in Sanskrit. The underlying melodic system of Indian music is known as Raga, but emotion as well as melodic definition is conveyed by each raga. The classical style is usually performed in intimate settings. In both the northern and southern tradition each performance has two parts: an opening, improvised prelude in free rhythm, followed by a set composition with percussion accompaniment that concludes with an improvisation on the opening tune of the composition.