Difference between Hindustani and Carnatic Music

• Hindustani music has its genesis much before Carnatic music.
• With the influence of due to Islamic and Persian, it has emerged as a distinct form of music.
• It incorporated Islamic traditions, Vedic chants, and Persian Musiqu-e-Assil.

• Carnatic is a purer form of music, which was evolved from ancient Hindu traditions.
• It was developed and became more popular during the Bhakti movement in the 15th to 16th century.
• Carnatic music got a major fillip during the 19th to 20th century.

• Ragam, Thanam and Pallavi and Anu Pallavi. It is free from rigid norms.
• Raga based
• Stresses upon pure notes
• Raga essays (alapanas) are elaborated from note-to-note in Hindustani 

• Ragam, Thanam, Pallavi, Anu Pallavi must follow each other.
• Kriti-based
• Gamaka-based Ragas
• Raga essays (alapanas) are elaborated from phrase-to-phrase

Several sub-styles exists:

Drupad, Qawwai, Thumri, Khyal, Thappa Tirana, etc.

• Dolak, Shehnai, Sitar  are connected with Hindutani
• Sarangi is the key accompaniment 

• Mrudangam, Nadaswaram, Ghatam (Pot) and Violin.
• Violin is the key accompaniment