Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.20

v2.c11.20

*Raga* is a unique feature of Indian music. It refers, specifically, to the tune framework with musical mode in Indian classical music. Each *Raga* has five *Ragini*, and a total of 36 combinations of tunes. The specific *Raga* and *Ragini* can only be sung in specific season or at a certain time of the day to express the special emotion or mood ie, to show nine "tastes" of traditional Indian aesthetics. Therefore, Indian music has the distinct characteristics such as beautiful melody, being delicate and exquisite, and changing. Initially, Indian classical music was a system, but has gradually been divided into two major schools in the process of development, namely the Hindustani music and Karnataka music.