Analysis of an Indian Classical Music Composition

Abstract

This research aims to enable analysis of Indian classical music compositions by studying different elements of a composition of vocal music using a statistical method. Indian classical music is an art which is passed on to the next generation through an oral tradition and is mastered by practicing it orally and by listening to it. Writing music has been very minimal in Indian classical music tradition and is essential mainly for the reference purpose. Traditionally, analysis of an Indian classical composition too is done by listening to a composition and by studying its notation. Only medium paced compositions are analyzed in this research. The new method that I have suggested in this research can be used to check whether the results of analyzing a composition traditionally can match the results of analyzing a composition by using the statistical method. This research is a novel way of analyzing a few elements of a composition visually using its graphical representation. Using this method, an individual who understands mathematics and statistics but has a limited understanding of music can attempt to analyze certain elements of a composition. The prominent elements that are analyzed are: Mukhada-beginning of a composition, Sam swara- the swara on which the first beat of a taal is kept, Sthayi and Antara- the two parts of a composition, Taal-a cycle of beats, Laya- distance between two beats of a taal, Raagaroop- a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music and Sahitya- Text of a composition. I have analyzed three elements out of seven using the standard deviation, mean and the graphical representation. The elements are Mukhada, Sthayi-Antara and the Laya. The rest of the elements are analyzed by listening to the composition and by studying its notation.