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QUE: Explain the similarities and differences between the Hindustani and Carnatic styles of classical music.
May 1, 2026
During the medieval period, Indian classical music was generally based on two traditions known as the Hindustani style of music and the Carnatic style of music. The historical connection of these two styles of music is seen in the Natyashastra composed by Bharata Muni. However, in the fourteenth century, these two styles of music were separated.
- Similarities between Hindustani style of music and Carnatic style of music
- The basic elements of the basic ragas, tones and rhythms of these two styles are the same.
- In both styles, each raga has a dominant tone or a dominant tone.
- In both styles, the flute and the violin are used.
- Both styles are directly related to religion.
- In both styles, sweetness is given more importance.
- Both styles originated from the Sanskrit script.
- Difference between Hindustani music style and Carnatic music style
| Hindustani music | Carnatic music |
| This music has 6 main ragas. | This music has 72 main ragas. |
| It is influenced by Arabic, Persian, and Afghan art. | It is a music style based solely on indigenous influences. |
| In this, languages like Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi, Urdu, Braj etc. are used. | In this, languages like Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam etc. are used. |
| Many sub-genres are seen in it and within this, various gharanas have also emerged. | There is only one specific style of song and that too is fixed. |
| This music can be varied. | There is no freedom to vary or change it. |
| Instruments like tabla, sarangi, sitar and santoor are used. | Veena, Mridangam and Mandolin are used. |
| This style is mainly associated with North India. | This style is generally associated with South India. |
Thus, there are some similarities and differences in the above two styles of Indian classical music, but both styles have given a new height to the culture of India through classical music.
