Indian classical music is the oldest, most sophisticated and scientifically complete musical system in the world. Its two major streams―the south Indian (Carnatic) and the north Indian (Hindustani)―share common origins and were part of a single tradition until the thirteenth century. L. Subramaniam, one of the best-known classical musicians of our age, and the late and highly celebrated vocalist Viji Subramaniam examine the origins, history, structure and spirit of this system in this book.