SHENNAI

shennai is one of the oldest wind instruments used in hindustani



It is formally a part of nadaswaram used in south indian folk musics



shennai is played with the fingers closed on the holes of shennai



although all sounds are produced from the mouth it involves a good vibration to the body

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HINDUSTANI INSTRUMENTS

SITAR

VINA

SAROD

SHENNAI

TABLA

INDIAN MUSIC

The indian music is broadly classified in two categories Carnatic music and western music

CARNATIC
HINDUSTANI








Indian classical music is categorized under two genres. These are Hindustani and Carnatic. Broadly speaking, Carnatic music developed in the south of the country, while Hindustani is indigenous to the north.

Hindustani music is based on the raga system. A raga is a melodic scale, consisting of notes from the basic seven known as sa, re, ga, ma pa, dha, and ni. Apart from sa and pa which are constant, the other notes may be in major or minor tone, and this gives rise to innumerable combinations. Ten basic scales or thaats are recognized, and other ragas are considered to have evolved from these. A raga must contain a minimum of five notes.

Depending on the notes included in it, each raga acquires a distinct character. The form of the raga is also determined by the particular pattern of ascent and descent of the notes, which may not be strictly linear. Melody is built up by improvising and elaborating within the given scale. The improvisation is at times rhythm bound and at other times free from any overt rhythm.

Formal compositions (songs or instrumental compositions in a fixed meter) are juxtaposed with the improvised portion. Khyal and Dhrupad are two major types of compositions within the Hindustani genre. Of the two, Dhrupad is an older form and requires rigourous training in rhythm control as well as voice culture. Khyal developed as a more popular alternative as it contains both slow and lively compositions, though it retains its totally classical character.

BHIMSEN G JOSHI

Kalashree, 36, Lakshmi Colony
Pune 411 030.



Bhimsen Joshi, who is riding the crest of popularity and has ridden it for the last several years, is a musical marvel. His singing invariably provides listeners with a divine musical ex- perinea. Many of his rivals admit, though unwillingly, that today there is no other vocalist comparable to him in the entire nation.



Bhimsen, who is now in his 60s, has attained proficiency and fame that astound the musical world. His voice, like that legendary philosopher's stone, turns every note into a golden one. Billions of notes that have received the golden touch of his voice have been freely showered by him on the teeming millions of his fans. His unswerving faith in an intense devo- tion to his guru have been his keys to success.



Tansen of today — this is how he is regarded by his conptemporaries. Pandit ji is considered as one of the very best singers alive today. From the very beginning of his career he has been very popular, and today without doubt holds the throne as the king of Hindustanti classical singing.



Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, acknowledged as the leading light of the Kirana gharana, drives his audience to a divine musical experience through his mystic and magnificent songs. Bhimsen, the musical legend who is riding the crest of popularity for the last several years is rightly acclaimed as the 'Raga Maestro', for the unbelievable flexibility of voice and sonorous knowledge in 'Ragas'. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is the numero uno among Hindustani classical vocalists. His unique style and mastery over ragas gained him the applause even from rivals. Joshi is the most prominent Hindustani vocalist living today. He stands undefeated and incomparable in Indian musical world.

Bhimsen Joshi never looked back. He absorbed raga after raga, imbibing all the best of Kirana Gharana. He also learnt from other gayaki styles. In one of his early concerts, a well known singer of another gharana said 'I came to see how much you have stolen from us'. He quickly became one of the most sought after concert artists. The intensity he brought to his performances made him the most popular vocalist in India.

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FLUTE

flute is one is the oldest carnatic instruments. Flute comes under the wind instruments. Flute is a very simple instrument to invest



MAKING THE SOUND you want on the flute depends not only on what the flute is made of, but also how it is played



As with many other wind instruments, good flute technique is all down to two key elements: embouchure and breath control. Anna Pyne gives some tips on getting it right



Aside from being a masterfully handcrafted flute, the High Spirit flutes are a true work of art that play as well as they look. Made from a solid piece of the finest cedar, walnut, birch and other fine domestic plantation-grown woods or recycled lumber, finished with three coats of a non-toxic hardening oil for durability and clarity of sound, each is precision-tuned so that it will blend perfectly with other instruments.



All the flutes are based on the minor pentatonic scale. This allows virtually anyone, regardless of their musical experience, to be able to sound fantastic in a matter of minutes!


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