Modern Period History of Hindustani Music (Outline) MCQs Quiz | Class 9

Overview of the Modern Period in Hindustani Music

The Modern Period in the history of Hindustani Music is generally considered to have begun in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This era marked a significant transition from the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara, confined within royal courts, to institutionalized music education accessible to the general public. A pivotal figure in this transformation was Pt. Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande.

Key Contributions of Pt. V.N. Bhatkhande

Pt. V.N. Bhatkhande is often regarded as the architect of the modern system of Hindustani Sangeet. His efforts were instrumental in standardizing music theory and practice.

• Thaat System: He reclassified Ragas into 10 basic Thaats (parent scales), replacing the older Raga-Ragini system. This provided a logical framework for understanding the structure of Ragas.
• Notation System (Swaralipi): He developed a comprehensive notation system (Bhatkhande Swaralipi Paddhati) that allowed musical compositions to be written down and preserved, reducing the reliance solely on oral transmission.
• Literature: He authored monumental works like the Hindustani Sangeet Paddhati and Kramik Pustak Malika, which serve as textbooks for music students even today.
• Conferences: He organized the first All India Music Conference in Baroda in 1916, bringing musicians and scholars onto a common platform.

The 10 Thaats of Bhatkhande

Impact of the Modern Period

The modern period saw the establishment of music colleges, the introduction of music in university curriculums, and the democratization of music learning. The printing press played a crucial role in disseminating musical knowledge through books and journals.