What is music?
Indian music is a vast and ancient tradition deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual fabric of India. It encompasses a wide variety of styles, forms, and purposes, reflecting the diversity of the country. The essence of Indian music lies in its melodic and rhythmic intricacy, emotional depth, and connection to spirituality.
Key elements of music
Raag (Melody):
Raag forms the melodic framework in Indian classical music, embodying specific emotions and times of the day or seasons. Each Raag is a structured scale with rules for ascending and descending notes, creating a distinct mood.
Taal (Rhythm):
Taal is the rhythmic cycle that governs the time structure in Indian music. It can range from simple cycles like Teentaal (16 beats) to complex ones like Frodast (14 beats).
Improvisation:
Indian music emphasizes creativity and improvisation within the framework of a Raag and Taal, making each performance unique.
Spiritual Connection:
Indian music often serves as a medium for devotion and meditation. This is evident in genres like Bhajans, Kirtans, and Gurmat Sangeet, which are rooted in spiritual texts.
Oral Tradition:
The knowledge of Indian music is traditionally passed down through the Guru-Shishya Parampara (teacher-student lineage), emphasizing personal instruction.
Music and Gurmat Sangeet
Music in Indian tradition is broadly divided into two categories: Margi Sangeet and Desi Sangeet. Margi Sangeet is the path-oriented music that guides the soul towards the Almighty, emphasizing spiritual and divine experiences. It is deeply rooted in devotion and often aligns with sacred practices and rituals. On the other hand, Desi Sangeet represents the folk music of specific regions, reflecting the cultural, social, and festive life of the people. Gurmat Sangeet, a profound form of spiritual music based on the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, falls under the domain of Margi Sangeet. It is not only a medium of devotion but also a path to inner transformation and divine connection
What is Gurmat sangeet
Gurmat Sangeet is the sacred musical tradition of Sikhism, based on the teachings of the Sikh Gurus as enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the living guru of Sikhs. It is a form of Margi Sangeet that emphasizes devotion i.e. bhakti and connects the soul with the divine through the medium of shabad kirtan – singing of hymns in the prescribed Raga of Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Gurmat Sangeet was pioneered by the Sikh Gurus, starting with Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who used music to spread the message of universal love, equality, and devotion. Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled the Guru Granth Sahib, ensuring that the hymns were systematically arranged in Raags to preserve the sanctity and musicality of the compositions. Followed by the tenth Guru, Shree Guru Gobind Singh JI who further added the hymns of the nineth guru Guru Teg Bahadur ji and the 31ST raaga Jaijavanti to the Aadi Granth and Gave it the Guru Gadi, ordering Sikhs to bow in front of guru granth Sahib ji and accept them as a living guru.
Ancient music learning method
The ancient method of learning music in India was deeply rooted in the Guru-Shishya Parampara (teacher-disciple tradition), a sacred and personalized approach to imparting knowledge. This tradition emphasized not just technical skills but also the spiritual and emotional aspects of music, making it a holistic form of education. Here’s an overview of how music was traditionally learned in ancient times:
Key Features of Ancient Music Learning:
- Guru-Shishya Relationship:
Close personal bond where the disciple lived and learned under the Guru’s guidance.
- Oral Tradition:
Knowledge was transmitted orally, focusing on memorization and repetition.
- Practical Learning:
Hands-on training with extensive practice to master Raags and Taals.
- Spiritual Foundation:
Music was a spiritual pursuit, emphasizing devotion (Bhakti) and discipline (Sadhana).
- Traditional Instruments:
Training included vocal music and playing instruments like the Veena and Rabab.
- Guru’s Style:
Disciples adopted the unique style of their Guru, preserving distinct traditions.
- Rigor and Discipline:
Intense practice (Riyaz) with regular testing of skills by the Guru.
- Holistic Education:
Music was taught alongside philosophy and moral values, fostering overall growth.
With changing times and the advent of written notation systems and modern education, the Guru Shishya Parampara has declined. However, it is still preserved in some classical music and Gurmat Sangeet traditions, where the essence of this ancient method continues to thrive
Our role in preserving this tradition
Livtaar Music Academy is dedicated to preserving the timeless Guru-Shishya Parampara by integrating it with modern technologies, ensuring that this sacred tradition thrives in contemporary times.
Livtaar Music Academy combines the essence of the ancient Guru-Shishya Parampara with modern technologies to create a unique learning experience. Here is an elaboration of its key features:
- Guru-Shishya Parampara with Personal Interaction:
- The academy adheres to the traditional personalized teaching approach, ensuring a close bond between the teacher (Guru) and the student (Shishya).
- With platforms like Zoom, one-on-one online classes replicate the individualized attention and mentorship of the traditional system.
- Use of Internet for Accessibility:
- The internet enables students from around the globe to connect with skilled Gurus, breaking geographical barriers.
- Students can access learning resources, tutorials, and recorded sessions to complement live classes.
- Modernized Study Material:
- Traditional handwritten notes and oral teachings are transformed into PowerPoint presentations and digital documents.
- These presentations include visual aids like Raag notations, Taal structures, and interactive content to make learning engaging and easy to understand.
- Preservation of Traditional Instruments and Techniques:
- The academy emphasizes teaching on traditional instruments such as the Rabab, Saranda, Taus, and Dilruba, maintaining their importance in the learning process.
- Video demonstrations and tutorials ensure that the techniques are accurately preserved and passed on.
- Flexibility in Learning:
- Online platforms provide flexibility in scheduling classes, allowing students to learn at their own pace while still adhering to rigorous practice (Riyaz).
- Emphasis on Bhakti (Devotion) and Sadhana (Discipline):
- Despite using modern tools, the spiritual essence of music as a form of devotion remains central.
- The curriculum is designed to nurture both musical skills and the emotional, devotional connection to the art.
- Global Community Building:
- Livtaar’s use of technology fosters a worldwide community of learners and practitioners, sharing experiences, performances, and ideas.
- Virtual workshops and collaborative sessions ensure the spread and exchange of knowledge across diverse audiences.
By blending ancient traditions with modern innovations, Livtaar Music Academy not only preserves the authenticity of the Guru-Shishya Parampara but also makes it adaptable to the needs of the contemporary world. This approach ensures that the sacred art form and the mission of Guru Nanak which was Ghar Ghar Andar Dharmsala Hovai Kirtan Sada Visova which means an ideal world where every household becomes a sacred place of worship and devotion, and the divine hymns (Kirtan) resonate perpetually
In conclusion, the fusion of ancient traditions with modern technology at Livtaar Music Academy ensures the preservation and flourishing of the Guru-Shishya Parampara while also safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of Gurmat Sangeet. By incorporating personalized, interactive learning methods through platforms like Zoom, and modernizing traditional study materials, the academy makes spiritual music and devotion accessible globally. This approach not only keeps the rich heritage of Gurmat Sangeet alive but also nurtures the spiritual growth of students. As Guru Nanak’s vision of spreading devotion in every home continues, Livtaar contributes significantly to the preservation of culture and the propagation of Kirtan, ensuring the sacred art form thrives for future generations.
