The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c9.231

c9.231

The tuning of instruments used by Hindustani musicians differs from that employed by Karnâtik professors, in that the interval of the fourth is always admitted upon the open strings; the modulation therefore of these instruments is less confined; hence frequently, though the melody itself is less pleasing, accompaniments to Hindustani songs are preferred to the ordinary Karnâtik accompaniments, and music played in the Karnâtik style upon instruments tuned thus is much liked. Hindustani musicians practise singing more than do Karnâtik. They have better voices, and take more pains to cultivate them. Karnâtik singers, as has been said before, appear to have an idea that practice is hurtful to their voices, and from attempting to sing when too young, before the voice is formed, they are apt to ruin their singing entirely; while Hindustani singers practise much, and sing in a more manly style; hence Hindustani music is much admired in Southern India, chiefly as a variety—the softness of the language itself, and the ease with which it lends itself to singing, giving it an additional charm. A careful study of the Hindustani melodies given below will amply repay the time given up, and their great beauty and inherent passion can hardly fail to enchant one.