Western or Indian classical music? No matter the region where it developed, classical music remains a captivating genre that evokes strong emotions with each note. On a global scale, Western classical music dominates the world’s philharmonics and operas, but what is it really and how much different is it from its Indian counterpart?
We’ve compared these two genres for our readers that might not be that familiar with the topic. Although they may seem worlds apart, they share a common path of remodelling, nowadays expanding beyond their traditional form and embracing new styles.
Classical Music: Indian vs Western
How did they emerge?
With deep roots in Vedas and the subsequent 13th century Sanskrit text Sangeeta-Ratnakara of Sarangadeva, Indian classical music evolved into a complex art form with two main types, Hindustani and Carnatic, consisting of ragas and talas.
Conversely, Western classical music developed after the Renaissance, flourishing in the 17th century during the Baroque period, followed by Classical, Romantic and Minimalist movements. Even though they took their shape during distinct periods, both these genres got their start during religious rituals and processions.
Emotional and mathematical
Classical music in India is deeply rooted in emotion, with each raga designed to evoke a specific spiritual depth. Interestingly, the musician has the freedom to explore these feelings in real time given that these complex melodic frameworks allow for a lot of improvisation, making each performance unique. In contrast, Western classical music relies heavily on pre-composed scores and precise timings, following a more structured and mathematical approach if you will.
Classical music instruments
Another area where these two genres differ significantly is the instruments they use, reflecting their distinct cultural roots. You might be familiar with the spellbinding sitar and harmonium notes, accompanied by tabla’s rhythmic patterns. However, the Western style is centered around string (e.g. violin, viola, cello), wind (e.g. clarinet, flute) and percussion instruments (e.g. timpani). They are designed for precision, which is why big ensembles and orchestras are so popular.
Famous artists
The most widely celebrated Western classical composers and musicians include the likes of Ludwig van Beethoven, known for his powerful symphonies, the prodigious Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, perhaps best known for his operas and concertos, and Johann Sebastian Bach, revered for shaping the foundation of classical music.
On the Indian classical front, some of the most renowned artists are actually contemporary ones who have brought Indian music to a global stage. For instance, the legendary sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, or Bhimsen Joshi, a master of Hindustani classical vocal music—they are all extraordinary artists who continue to inspire music lovers worldwide.
How they’ve both changed through time
Over time, these genres have evolved and adapted to more modern sensibilities, leaning towards cross-genre collaborations. Contemporary composers blend classical techniques with electronic sounds, which is perhaps more noticeable in film scores.
For instance, Bollywood movies often fuse ragas with rock, pop and electronic beats to make them more accessible to younger audiences. Comparably, huge Hollywood blockbusters often feature a mixture of world and classical music, thus helping the narrative and heightening the whole movie-watching experience.
Despite these four main distinctions, both genres coexist with and influence modern musical and social trends, while preserving their rich traditions. And if you’re an avid classical music fan, be that Indian or Western, you can catch captivating classical tributes right here in New Delhi, thanks to the popular Candlelight concert series.
These performances celebrate the likes of Vivaldi and Mozart as well as beloved soundtracks from films like Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Kal Ho Na Ho and Rehna Hai Tere Dil Main, illuminating gorgeous venues across the city with thousands of twinkling candles. Whether you want to impress that special someone, go by yourself or with your friends, these candlelit shows are perfect for every occasion.