What is the Difference Between Hindustani and Carnatic?

Hindustani and Carnatic music are the two primary sub-genres of Indian classical music, each with its own unique characteristics and origins. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Origins: Hindustani music predates Carnatic music and combines Islamic customs, Vedic chants, and Persian Musiqu-e-Assil music. Carnatic music, on the other hand, is comparatively pure and originated during the Bhakti movement in the 15th and 16th centuries.
2. Language and Instruments: Hindustani music uses traditional instruments like Tabla and Pakhawaj, while Carnatic music employs Mridangam or Pakhawaj. The musical compositions for Hindustani music are written in Sanskrit, Hindi, and Braj Bhasha, along with regional languages like Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Bengali, Marwadi, and Punjabi. Carnatic music, in contrast, is primarily written in Sanskrit and local languages like Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil.
3. Ragas: Hindustani music has 6 major ragas, while Carnatic music has 72 ragas.
4. Taal: Hindustani music has 12 taal, whereas Carnatic music has 7 core taal.
5. Singing Styles: Carnatic music has only one particular prescribed style of singing, while Hindustani music has several sub-styles.
6. Improvisation: Carnatic music allows for more freedom to improvise, while Hindustani music has equal importance for both vocal and instrumental music.

Despite these differences, both Hindustani and Carnatic music share common foundational components, such as swara, raga, and tala, which serve as the basis for both traditions.

Comparative Table: Hindustani vs Carnatic

Here is a table comparing the differences between Hindustani and Carnatic music:

Both Hindustani and Carnatic music give principal prominence to the melody and use a Sampoorna Scale (with all 7 notes) to describe Janak Thaat or Raga to make Janya Raga. They also use a Tanpura or Drone with one or two notes to signify Pitch and base in Raga version.