I started studying Hindustani classical singing at the age of sixteen in 1997, which was already too old to make it professionally in that field back then. But my intentions were always to compose pop songs based in that tradition. I was a big fan of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the Rebel Poet of Bengal who composed several hundred songs in Bengali based on Hindustani light classical music. It's taken me a long time to master the foundations, but it was so worth it. Here are some of the benefits I've discovered through my journey of studying Hindustani classical music:
1. Developing Creativity Through Improvisation. Hindustani classical music has an extensive tradition of improvisation. In the vocal traditions that I studied I've been learning how to sing alaps, which are slow-paced improvisational sections, and taans, which are fast-paced improvisational sections. These can be sung in sargam, using the letter names of the notes, and in akar, using open throated vocalizations.
2. Developing Brain Training. Hindustani classical music has complex rhythmic patterns and compositional structures, and these are good for developing cognitive skills, which is especially useful in old age.
3. Relaxation. I find that the vocal warmups, called riyaz, are beneficial in calming and relaxing the brain because they act as meditative exercises and help in developing breath control.
4. Learning about South Asian song poetry. Hindustani classical music and its derivatives are sung in a variety of South Asian languages and dialects - Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi, etc. Many poets from ancient times onwards to the modern era have written poetry that has been used in Hindustani classical, folk, and popular compositions, from Kabir and Mira Bai to Rabindranath Tagore and the aforementioned Nazrul.
5. Learning about the history, culture, and spiritual traditions of South Asia. South Asia is home to several major religions and spiritual traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and Baulism, among others, and the devotional music of these traditions is an important part of Hindustani music. Yogic exercises were developed, among other reasons, to provide the physical discipline required to practice Hindustani music.
6. Learning emotional and spiritual expression. Hindustani music is an exceptionally emotive musical tradition and in order to be a good singer one needs to be able to express emotions adeptly and express the hungers of the soul exquisitely.
7. Learning the basis of South Asian folk and popular music. All North Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi folk and popular singers have training in Hindustani classical music, however divergent their styles are from the source.
8. Developing discipline. Studying Hindustani classical music is a lifelong journey and requires much time and energy, but is full of rewards in learning how to master this difficult art form.