Category 4 · Art & Culture

Music

8 micro topics in Art & Culture for UPSC Prelims, in book order: Classical Indian Music; Hindustani Music (Gharanas – Gwalior, Kirana, Agra, Jaipur-Atrauli, Patiala); and 6 more.

1. 4.1

   Classical Indian Music

   Classical Indian music is the art music tradition of the subcontinent, built on raga (melodic framework), tala (rhythmic cycle) and swara (musical note), with a drone and improvisation at its core. It has two main streams:…

2. 4.2

   Hindustani Music (Gharanas – Gwalior, Kirana, Agra, Jaipur-Atrauli, Patiala)

   Hindustani music is the classical music of North India, built on raga and tala, with a long tradition of vocal and instrumental performance and a lineage system called gharana. A gharana is a school of music…

3. 4.3

   Carnatic Music (Trinity – Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri)

   Carnatic music is the classical music of South India, based on composed songs (kritis) set in ragas and talas, with improvisation within the structure. Its great figures are the Trinity of Tyagaraja (1767 to 1847), Muthuswami…

4. 4.4

   Main Pillars of Indian Music (Raga, Tala, Swara)

   The three main pillars of Indian music are raga (the melodic framework), tala (the cycle of beats) and swara (the musical note). There are seven basic swaras: shadja (sa), rishabha (re), gandhara (ga), madhyama (ma), panchama…

5. 4.5

   Forms of Indian Music (Dhrupad, Khayal, Thumri, Ghazal, Qawwali, Varnam, Kriti)

   Forms of Indian music are the set types of composition and performance within the classical, semi-classical and devotional traditions. Dhrupad is the oldest classical vocal form, associated with Gwalior's Raja Man Singh Tomar (15th century) and…

6. 4.6

   Musical Instruments (Tata, Sushir, Avanaddha, Ghana Vadya)

   Indian musical instruments are classified into four groups in the Natya Shastra system: Tata vadya (stringed), Sushir vadya (wind), Avanaddha vadya (membrane percussion) and Ghana vadya (solid percussion). The same scheme appears in the Hornbostel-Sachs system…

7. 4.7

   Institutions Related to Music in India (Sangeet Natak Akademi)

   The main institution for Indian music is the Sangeet Natak Akademi, set up in 1952 as the first national academy of the arts, to promote music, dance and drama. It works as an autonomous body under…

8. 4.8

   Folk Music (Baul, Lavani, Bhangra)

   Folk music is the music of rural and community life, passed on orally and sung for work, festivals, rites and storytelling, unlike classical music which follows fixed raga and tala rules. Well-known forms include Baul of…

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Frequently asked questions

Which topics are in Music?

Music has 8 micro topics in Art & Culture: Classical Indian Music; Hindustani Music (Gharanas – Gwalior, Kirana, Agra, Jaipur-Atrauli, Patiala); Carnatic Music (Trinity – Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri); Main Pillars of Indian Music (Raga, Tala, Swara); Forms of Indian Music (Dhrupad, Khayal, Thumri, Ghazal, Qawwali, Varnam, Kriti); Musical Instruments (Tata, Sushir, Avanaddha, Ghana Vadya); Institutions Related to Music in India (Sangeet Natak Akademi); Folk Music (Baul, Lavani, Bhangra).

Is Music important for UPSC Prelims?

Music is a part of the UPSC Prelims Art & Culture syllabus map on MaargX UPSC. Each of its 8 published topics has key terms, a Mains angle and practice questions.