bandish

Bandish is a fixed melodic composition used in Hindustani classical music. It is typically composed in a specific raga (melodic framework) and tala (rhythmic cycle) and provides the melodic and rhythmic skeleton for a performance. A bandish may be sung or played on an instrument and is often learned as a core repertoire piece for a raga.

A bandish usually consists of lyrics set to a particular melodic line. The most common structural elements are the mukhda, the opening refrain, and the antara, a second section that reaches higher notes. Some bandishes also include additional sections or variations, and the lyrics can be in languages such as Urdu, Hindi, Braj Bhasha, or Persian. The content of bandish lyrics often deals with devotion, love, nature, or everyday life.

Performance and learning: In a concert, the musician renders the bandish within the chosen raga and ta l, using improvisational tools such as alap, taans, and ornamentation around the fixed melodic framework. While many bandishes are learned through oral transmission, some are written down in notation or reference books to aid teaching and preservation.

Role and varieties: The bandish forms a central part of the Hindustani classical repertoire for vocalists and instrumentalists alike. It can appear in various tempos, including vilambit (slow) and drut (fast), and is used across genres from pure khayal presentation to semi-classical forms. While bandish is specific to Hindustani music, it is often contrasted with the kriti of Carnatic music, which serves a similar fixed-composition function in a different tradition.

Etymology and use: The term bandish derives from Persian/Urdu, meaning an arranged or fixed piece. It remains a foundational element for learning, performing, and imitating the melodic ideas within a raga and tala.