(4) if they do not fit in the raga ask yourself if there is a change in raga used that correlates with the change in chords used (maybe this is an Indian version of modulation), or ask yourself if the scale simply does not fit on the piano. (3) first see if the chords you are describing actually use notes from the raga (If they do then they are actually in the raga and hence harmonically consistent with that raga, hence there is no "modulation" relative to this scale) (2) find the notes on a piano or guitar if possible (the western equivalent) (1) Get the exact raga being used in the song you are listening to Using western music theory to draw a conclusion about Indian music attributes.īased on what I've said about the use of chords that are in the scale and the fact that the ragas do not necessarily line up with western diatonic modes the question may not be fair at all. While modulation is a viable explanation for what you are describing, that could be seen as an example of Ethnocentrism (no offense). In classical (or traditional) Indian music (and Carnatic music is quite old) the melodic support (harmony for lack of a better word) is achieved purely using drone notes, no actual harmony in the western sense takes place. The main instrumentalist (or vocalist) explores the melodic and rhythmic terrain using raga and rhythms as they see fit. Rhythm is important too but there is no "orchestration" in Indian music. Indian music is highly improvisational and the improvised melodies using ragas take precedence over any other aspect of musical expression (based on my experience). For this to be possible the melody needs to be structured and predictable. The standard treatment of including multiple voices with the same rhythm as the melody is called homophonic harmony. This doesn't mean that there are only three chords in the key, but that one can develop a 3 and 4 voice harmony using just these three chords.
In western music harmony can be achieved by using three distinct chords that are contained in the scale I, IV, and V (and V7). The ragas of India do not all map easily to one of the diatonic scales of western music. You are referring to a form of eastern music, Carnatic, from south India. But this, to me, is a specific device of western music. In short, using chords that are not in the key of a song is (or can be) modulation as b3ko pointed out. I am going to attempt to turn some of our conversation into an answer.