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QUE. Explain the similarities and differences between the Hindustani and Carnatic styles of classical music.
June 22, 2026
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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 between these two styles of music is seen in the Natyashastra composed by Bharata Muni. However, in the fourteenth century, these two styles of music became separate.
- Similarities between Hindustani music style and Carnatic music style
- The basic elements of the basic ragas, tones and rhythms of both these styles are similar.
- In both styles, each raga has a dominant tone or a dominant tone.
- Both styles use the flute and violin.
- Both these styles have a direct connection with religion.
- In both music styles, sweetness is given more importance.
- 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. |
| Its design reflects the influence of Arabic, Persian, and Afghan art. | It is a music genre based solely on indigenous influences. |
| In this, languages like Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi, Urdu, Vraj etc. are used. | It uses languages like Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam etc. |
| Many sub-genres are found in it and within this, various schools of thought have also emerged. | The song has a unique style and that too is fixed. |
| This music can be varied. | There is no freedom of variation or change in it. |
| Instruments like tabla, sarangi, sitar and santoor are used. | The veena, mridangam and mandolin are used. |
| This style is mainly associated with North India. | This genre is generally associated with South India. |
Thus, there are some similarities and differences between the above two genres of Indian classical music, but both genres have taken India’s culture to a new height through the medium of classical music.
