Indian Music in Singapore

The traditonal indian music that is available in Singapore are Hindustani music and Carnatic music.

Hindustani music is an Indian classical music tradition that is developed with Persian influences and from existing religious and folk music. The practice of singing based on notes was popular even from the Vedic times where the hymns in Sama Veda, a sacred text, was sung as Samagana and not chanted. Developing a strong and diverse tradition over several centuries, it has contemporary traditions established primarily in India but also in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

In contrast to Carnatic music, the other main Indian classical music tradition, Hindustani music was not only influenced by ancient Hindu musical traditions, Vedic philosophy and native Indian sounds but also enriched by the Persian performance practices of the Mughals. Besides pure classical, there are also several semi-classical forms such as thumri and tappa.

The examples of traditional instruments they utilised :

Sitar

The sitar is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages. It derives its resonance from sympathetic strings, a long hollow neck and a gourd resonating chamber.

Tabla

The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in the classical, popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent and in Hindustani classical music. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres. The term tabla is derived from an Arabic word, tabl, which simply means "drum."

Sarangi

The Sarangi is a bowed, short-necked lute of the Indian subcontinent. It is an important bowed string instrument of India's Hindustani classical music tradition. Of all Indian instruments, it is said to most resemble the sound of the human voice – able to imitate vocal ornaments such as gamakas (shakes) and meend (sliding movements). It is also said to be the hardest Indian instrument to master.

And here are some Indian music groups in Singapore :

USTAD SHARAFAT KHAN
Founder Director

Indian Classical Music Centre was founded on 5th January 1998, with the purpose of promoting Indian culture in Singapore.

One of the main aims of this institution is to provide tuition in music to students of all ages, from 6 years old to 65 years old.

Tuition is available either on group or individual basis. The centre teaches Sitar, Tabla, Hindustani Vocal, Classical Guitar, Flute Harmonium, Violin, Carnatic Vocal and various other forms of Indian Classical music.

SIFAS Logo

Founded in 1949 with a small group of dedicated music lovers from India, Malaysia and Singapore, SIFAS has now grown into an internationally recognised institution of Indian classical music and dance employing renowned music and dance exponents from India to conduct and facilitate courses ranging from classical dance, instrumental music and vocal music in both Hindustani and Carnatic music categories. It also conducts drawing and painting classes for both enthusiasts and serious students regardless of age.

The organisation also believes in promoting the Indian arts beyond the Indian student and the institution itself has created fine non-Indian exponents of classical Indian music. Working actively with national arts programmes, the institution hosts the prestigious annual event; Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance. With the government's recognition of the event as a national cultural event, the festival itself brings the best talents as well as budding artistes from all over the world especially India to showcase their abilities. Internationally reputed artistes perform in the world famous Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.
The National Arts Council Indian Music Competition is another major annual event, where classical Indian music schools in Singapore showcase their talents and SIFAS has always clinched the top spots with talents exhibited by its students.