Informatics-Driven Documentation of Indian Classical Music Instruments: Emphasizing Carnatic Musicasizing Carnatic Music

Authors

  • Jayasree M P Research scholar, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi -221005
  • Rajeevkumar M A Content Manger, Mathrubhumi Online (English), Kozhikode -673001
  • Kalyan Ghadei Professor, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi -221005

Keywords:

Heritage Informatics, Music, Classical Music, Carnatic Music, Musical Instruments, Wind Instruments, Percussion Instruments, Stringed Instruments, South India

Abstract

The distinctive instruments featured in performances, enhancing Indian Classical music, are steeped in history and tradition. They are celebrated not only for their unique sound and craftsmanship but also for their deep cultural and historical significance. Each one represents centuries of artistic development, regional heritage, and spiritual symbolism, making them a crucial component of India’s intangible cultural heritage and their use in performances helps preserve living traditions that link the present to ancient times. The study highlights Gamaka, the foundation of Indian music, and explores examples of wind, percussion, and string instruments, with a focus on those used in South Indian Carnatic music. The paper explores how Informatics can help preserve the knowledge of the rich variety of instruments in Indian classical music, making it more accessible to global audiences, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts. The authors stress that documenting Indian classical music and its instruments is more than an academic endeavor; it is a critical step in safeguarding a valuable aspect of humanity’s cultural heritage.

Author Biographies

  • Jayasree M P, Research scholar, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi -221005

    Jayashree M. P. has been a Subject Matter Specialist in Agricultural Extension at ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kasaragod, Kerala, since 2008. She designed and developed traditional agricultural folk song audio CDs and Vayalkili volumes as part of the Innovative Extension Series at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kannur, conceived and directed the television documentary series 'Krishiyidam' in collaboration with Kasaragod Vision channel (25 episodes), coordinated the innovative farmer-led monthly interface series at ICAR KVK Kasaragod' and launched a YouTube channel called 'Jaya Palms' as part of her PhD research at BHU Varanasi with 45 videos on various socio-cultural expressions of coconut. Her expertise was in using music and social media for knowledge dissemination. 

  • Rajeevkumar M A, Content Manger, Mathrubhumi Online (English), Kozhikode -673001

    Rajeevkumar M. A. is Content Manager, Mathrubhumi Online, Kozhikode, Kerala. Has worked as Principal Correspondent, Kannur in The New Indian Express. Has worked as Senior Sub editor in Malayala Manorama, Palakkad and Kannur units. Composed a song on the complete scientific package of practices of coconut (Malayalam) and uploaded it to the YouTube channel Jaya Palms.

  • Kalyan Ghadei, Professor, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi -221005

    Kalyan Ghadei, Ph.D (BHU), B.Mus (ABGMM), C.C. (Polski), is presently Professor and Head in the Dept of Extension Education, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. Has a successful record of activities at All India Radio, Cuttack, CIFA (ICAR), Bhubaneswar, and in OUAT Odisha for the transfer of Agricultural, aquaculture, and pearl culture technologies in Odisha and India. Is teaching rural sociology, Educational Psychology, Management and Administration in Agriculture in under graduate, post graduate level in BHU. He was a Design & Innovation Cell member, Coordinator of the Student Rady Programme, and Student Advisor in the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU. His research interests include gender issues in agriculture, environment, and communication. He has over 80 research papers/book chapters, and 9 books. Has organized many national/international seminars, is a member of professional societies in India and abroad including the Indian Society of Extension Education, the Global Communication Research Association (Sydney), and the Rural Sociological Society (USAHe has developed an attitude scale in his PhD research to measure the attitude of tribal farmers towards the extension services of NGO, which would yield consistent results when used in situations involving similar psychological Objects.  Considering his contributions he was awarded  Raman fellowship as visiting scholar to USA and Post-Doctoral Fellow at Virginia Tech, USA  to study the climate change issues and its mitigation strategies.

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Published

2025-09-16

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025): HERITAGE INFORMATICS

Section

Articles

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