Classical Music is the brightest gem adorning the crown of India’s culture. At a time when many nations had not emerged from the stage of folk song, India had developed a magnificent system of art Music. In the history of world music, India was the first country to evolve the ‘solfa’ system.
The Indian solfa letters, sa, ri, ga, ma, pa, da, ni are mentioned in such an early work as the “Naradaparivrajaka Upanishad (Upadesa 1)” (12th century CE). The profession of Music was as old as Yajurveda (Ancient Vedic text).
Till about the 13th century A.D. There was a single system of music prevalent throughout the length and breadth of India, with some local variations. Indian Classical Music was bifurcated into two major systems, Carnatic and Hindustani. The term “Carnatic Music” came into vogue for the first time in Haripala’s work “Sangita Sudhakara” written sometime between 1309 and 1312 A.D. The term “Hindustani music” came into vogue after the advent of the Muslim rule in Delhi. Due to contact with Persian and Arabic styles, the music of the North began to develop along fresh channels.
The music of the South, undisturbed by foreign invasions, continued to develop along lines faithful to its ancient traditions and this music appropriately came to be styled Karnataka (also known as, Carnatic) Sangita, i.e., the old continuing music of South India.
