Indian Classical Music

**Statement 1 is incorrect:** Dhrupad predates the Mughal period. It originated in the ancient chanting of Samaveda and developed significantly in temples under Hindu kings, especially during the Delhi Sultanate and early Mughal era. It was patronized by Rajput and Mughal courts but did not originate in that period. **Statement 2 is correct:** Traditionally sung in temples before idols. Highly spiritual in nature, emphasizing meditation, devotion, and introspection. **Statement 3 is correct:** The alap in Dhrupad often uses Sanskrit syllables such as: “Om, Ananta, Hari, Narayana”. This reflects its roots in Vedic chanting. Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Incorrect (1) Most of Thyagaraja's kritis (compositions) are devotional songs in praise of Lord Rama, not Krishna. Correct (2) Tyagaraja is credited with creating several new ragas (melodic scales) in Carnatic music. Incorrect (3) Annamacharya and Tyagaraja were not contemporaries. Annamacharya lived in the 15th century, while Tyagaraja lived in the 18th-19th century. Correct (4) Annamacharya's kirtanas (devotional songs) are indeed known for praising Lord Venkateshwara, a form of Vishnu.

The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya was established in Lahore in 1901 by Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, a pioneer of Hindustani classical music. His aim was to democratize music education, taking it out of the gharana tradition (restricted to hereditary families) and making it accessible to the general public through institutional training. Later, branches were opened in other cities like Bombay and Delhi, greatly influencing the spread of classical music in modern India.