LESSON 3: ​

MUSIC OF SOUTH ASIA

AND MIDDLE EAST
(INDIA AND ISRAEL)
 Topics:
Music of South Asia and Middle East:
1. India
2. Israel
a. Geographical, historical, and
cultural background;
b. Traditional Instruments
c. Instrumental pieces
d. Folk songs and ritual music

Presentation title 2
 The Geographical background of East Asia

Presentation title 3
 Music of India
Music is a very important part of India’s culture. It is as sacred form
of artistic expression for the People of India. Its beginnings date back to
the ancient times. Over the centuries, the Indians have developed their
own musical style, form, and principle of composition that is extremely
different from the Western Orientation.

Presentation title 4
 What are the religious and beliefs in India?
Religion is considered to be extremely important. India is known as
the “land of spirituality and philosophy”, and it was the birthplace of
some religions that exist in the world. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and
Sikhism are four of the world’s major religions. Religion has been part
of the country’s growing culture. Aside from the four major religions, they
also have Islam and Christianity. In Hinduism, their beliefs lay in
reincarnation, various forms of yoga to raise awareness, time as a
revolving circle, karma, mantras, and yantras.
Music has the power to carefully scrutinize the temporal and social
components of rituals, therefore transporting them from the ordinary things
into the sacred world.

Presentation title 5
 Vocal music of India is a way to express their deep devotion to
their gods/goddesses.
It is manifested through the art of vocalization that becomes more
than a vocal warm-up but an act of their worship.

Examples of vocal music:

1. Gangal is a style known for rich romantic and poetic content.
2. Lakshangeet is a style which is oriented toward musical education.
3. Swarmalika is used for pedagogic purposes. Sargam is used instead
of words.
4. Tamil Nad speaks of the beauty of the Land of the Tamils.
5. Vijaya is an example of a farewell song.
Presentation title 6
 What are the traditional instruments of India?
Aerophones
- is a musical instrument that produces sound primarily by causing a body of air to vibrate, without the use of strings or membranes.

Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture

Pungi
Bansuri Shruti Upanga Shanai
Originated in India
Is a transverse flute Is a type of bagpipe Is made of wood
and is still played by
of India with six or often usec to supply with a metal at the
snake charmers in
seven finger holes. a drone. end of it.
street performances.

Presentation title 7
 Idiophones
-are instruments that create sound through vibrating themselves.

Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture

Jal Tangal
Ghungrois
Ghatam Consists of sets of
one of many small
Is an earthen pot. Khartal ceramic bowls that
metallic balls;
The players use their Is commonly used in are tuned using
musical anklet tied to
hands to strike the religious songs. water. It is played by
the feet of the
outer surface striking the edge of
dancer.
the beaters.

Presentation title 8
 Membranophones
-is any musical instrument which produces sound primarily by way of a vibrating stretched
membrane.

Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture

Tabla Mridanga Damaru

Is a pair of drums. Is a primary Is a small-headed Maddale
The name is derived rhythmic drum made of wood Belongs to
from an Arabic word accompaniment in a with leather Mridangam family
Tabl which means Carnatic music drumheads at both of drums.
“drum”. ensemble. ends.

Presentation title 9
 Chordophone
-any of a class of musical instruments in which a stretched, vibrating string produces
the initial sound.

Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture Click icon to add picture

Ektara
Is one-stringed
Tambura Rubab Sitar instrument used in
Is a longnecked Is a short necked Is a plucked string traditional music.
lucked lute. lute. instrument. Direct wood or
coconut shell is used
as resonator.

Presentation title 10
 Music of Israel
Music of Israel is an important part of national identity. It is a combination of
Jewish and non-Jewish music traditions that have come together over the past
century to create a distinctive musical culture. When the days of pioneers began,
Hebrew songs and public sing-alongs (Shira be Tsibur) were a common
pastime of the early settlers and they became a defining force for their identity.
Jewish immigrants from Europe, Asia, Middle East, and elsewhere brought with
them their musical traditions, blending and molding them into a new Israeli
sound.

Presentation title 11
 What is the musical background of Israel?
Israeli’s musicians have made significant contributions to classical,
jazz, pop, pop rock, and other international music genres that defined
their national spirit and stylistic elements.
Israeli’s music is heavily influenced by its neighboring countries. It
combines both ethnic, western, and eastern music as well as Jewish and
non-Jewish music traditions. Israel also has refined a rich tradition of
classical European music.
Israeli music is composed of two major forces: Zionist movement
which encouraged the creation and dissemination of Israeli folk music;
and Political struggle against fascism which led many European-born
musicians to flee to the Holy Land.

Presentation title 12
 What are the two divisions of Jewish Music?

Devotional Secular
 More on vocal music  Uses instrumental and vocal music
 Shofar, a music instrument (a ram’s  Music is used for the passage event
horn) used to call for prayer and  Mostly uses rhythmic and popular
repentance romantic text
 Attributes Sabbath and other holy
days

Presentation title 13
 Influence from Russia and Middle East

Russia Middle East

 Folk tunes and musical style  Sound of Local Arab music
 Minor key  Oriental music traditions
 Contrafacta – Russian folk tunes  Pop and rock from Greek
with translated or new lyrics in  Melismatic ornamentation
Hebrew  Nasal
 Modal swinging
 Homophonic texture
Presentation title 14
 Example of Israeli folk song:
Zum Gali Gali
Zum Gali Gali is a traditional song relating to the
formation of the State of Israel originating sometime
around its creation in 1948.
It has a fast tempo with a wide ranging melodic line. It
is usually sung with accompaniment and it is repetitive
chant.

Presentation title 15
 What are the famous musical instruments of
Israel?

Israel used the

shofar or the ram’s
horn in all Riq is important in Harp of David
assemblies to signal both folk and classical Kinnor – ancient
the arrival of enemy music forms of the lyre
in battle. Arabs.

Presentation title 16
Thank you