Music: The Harmony of Culture

1071 Words3 Pages

Present in throughout the Hindu, Greek, and Judaic cultures, is the divine and meticulous use of music in various ways. Similarly between these cultures, music is symbolic of the most important and sacred concepts. The musical elements often exist to celebrate parts of the culture, to provide an element of sound to express spiritually, and to worship one or more Gods. Furthermore, music has occupied a central place in Hindu, Greek, and Judaic cultures, in which there are intrinsic musical principles, an arrangement of different instruments, and several forms and textures within all three cultures.

In Hindu culture, it believed that music has a spiritual journey. Nada Brahma is predominant doctrine that means “Sound is God,” similar to concept in Judaic music. Under this principle, frequencies of sound are said to have created the entire universe. Thus, music is a way in which one can worship god. In comparison, Greeks also see music to be connected to the universe due to several scientific studies of acoustics and mathematics. Likewise, in the Judaic culture music is believed to be a creation of God that should be used wisely and to worship God.

Furthermore, “Om/Aum” is the most basic and most important mantra and every other sound or mantra is encompassed in this sound. The Om is the physically manifested sound that is used in the process of meditation and “becoming one.” The syllable Om has been used to represent a vast number of trios. The Om can bring to mind the Hindu Trinity: Brahma, Visnu, and Shiva and the creation, the maintaining of, and destruction of the universe. However in the Greek culture there are is a more theoretical approach pertaining to music and liked examining things from a human perspective.

The Gr...

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...upon a firm foundation of shared religious and communal experience.

Collectively, the Hindu, Greek, and Judaic cultures several differences and similarities. Amongst the difference are the instruments, rhythms, and the overall sound of the music. However one common concept expressed through musical principles and elements in all three cultures is that “God” is supreme.

Works Cited

Courtney, David. "Fundamentals of Rag." Indian Classical Music. Web. 23 Feb. 2011.

Das, Subhamoy. "Om or Aum: Hindu Symbol of the Absolute." About Hinduism - What You Need to Know About Hinduism. Web. 23 Feb. 2011.

Denburg, Moshe. "Jewish Music -- An Overview." Jewish Virtual Library - Homepage. Web. 23 Feb. 2011.

Londhe, Sushama. "Hindu Art." Hindu Wisdom. Web. 21 Feb. 2011.

Schmidt-Jones, Catherine. "Indian Classical Music: Tuning and Ragas." Connexions. Web. 24 Feb. 2011.

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