Hindustani classical music, the classical tradition of North India, diverged from Southern India's Carnatic music around the 12th century CE. It is characterized by melodic modes (raga) and rhythmic cycles (tala), performed on instruments such as the sitar and sarod. Historically, it was profoundly shaped by Persian and Sufi influences, with figures like Amir Khusro and later composers such as Tansen in the Mughal courts playing pivotal roles.
The music is traditionally taught through distinct schools called gharanas and is known for its religious neutrality, with ustads (Muslim masters) and pandits (Hindu masters) performing a wide array of compositions. Significant efforts were made to consolidate its musical structures around 1900 by Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande, while Vishnu Digambar Paluskar founded the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in 1901 to democratize its teaching beyond royal patronage. Hindustani classical music remains an integral part of Indian culture, celebrated by legendary exponents like Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, and Ravi Shankar, all recipients of India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna.