UPSC Express

With reference to Indian classical music, consider the following statements:
1. While there exist various styles of singing in Hindustani music, Carnatic music is sung only in one style.
2. The number of ragas in Hindustani music is more than those in Carnatic music.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A.
1 only
B.
2 only
C.
Both 1 and 2
D.
Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation :
While Carnatic music is sung and performed in only one style, there exist various style of singing and performing in Hindustani music. Each style of school is called a ‘gharana’. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Carnatic Style employs Shrutis or semitones to create a Raga and thus have many more Ragas than the Hindustani style. Carnatic ragas differ from Hindustani ragas. The names of ragas are also different. However, there are some ragas which have the same scale as Hindustani ragas but have different names; such as Hindolam and Malkauns, Shankarabharanam and Bilawal. There is a third category of ragas like Hamsadhwani, Charukeshi, Kalavati etc. which are essentially Carnatic Ragas. They share the same name, the same scale (same set of notes) but can be rendered in the two distinctively different Carnatic and Hindustani styles. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.