Bringing Hindi Classical Music To The Next Generation

Hindi music is a grand tradition in India and it has, through pioneers and adapters, made its way to US shores. The Hindu American hail Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan as key proponents of the ancient musical tradition, and perhaps more important than any other artists in the history of the USA. Of course, presenting any musical tradition has very specific challenges in the US. Whereas the multicultural nature of the country welcomes new musical standards, the popularity and nature of modern music can leave traditional tunes in the background. A good way to show the next generation the joy of Hindi music is through teaching.

Teaching through instruments

India is an innovator of instruments. The sitar, sahnai and tabla are all evidence of that, and great tools for kids to use when learning instruments, and will act as a gateway into Hindi classics. However, there are modern options, too. The Times of India highlights a range of Hindi social media influencers who have recently contributed to the new craze of playing Hindi classics on the ukulele - a very non-Indian instrument, but one that is easy to master. For most people who decide to pick up the ukulele, it only takes a few weeks to learn the basics. The use of the uke adds a distinct flavor to the music that gives it a modern feel - something that kids can really enjoy. 

Developing the learning

Learning a little bit about the history of the music can help to add extra texture to the learning and give important detail about why the music sounds like it does. There are always reasons why the music sounds like it does - historical facts, stories from India, and experiences that shaped the way that musicians made their craft. Relating individual tunes to the stories that came before them is a great way to help kids learn about why the music was created, and why it’s being repeated to this day.

Relating modern music

Indian and Hindi music has, of course, had a long impact on western music. The Beatles, and George Harrison in particular, were noted for their melding together of western music with Indian religious and cultural tradition. According to the Times of India, jazz, one of the most important western music genres, has deep-rooted tradition in India. Even modern music, for instance hip-hop beats, can trace a lineage back to India. Producer Timbaland, who has worked with every big name in the industry, has frequently called back to sources in the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. One of his most famous beats, for Jay-Z, used music by Baligh Hamdi, an Egyptian composer who had been directly influenced by Indian sources.

Relating the message of new music to the Indian classics is a great way to educate, too. Indian music is seen all over the modern American songbook, and learning about that is a great experience for children who might only be exposed to the latest artists and albums. It shows that the cultural heritage of India is alive and well, as is Hindi music, and as relevant today as ever.

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