Essay name: Musical Instruments in Sanskrit Literature
Author:
S. Karthick Raj KMoundinya
Affiliation: University of Madras / Department of Sanskrit
The essay studies the Musical Instruments in Sanskrit Literature and its relationship with the South Indian musical tradition. The study emphasizes the universal appeal of music and documents how it pervades various aspects of life, art, literature, painting, and sculpture.
Chapter 1 - Introduction: Musical instruments in India
2 (of 21)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN INDIA AND EARLIEST REFERENCES TO THEM IN SANSKRIT LITERATURE 1 Art and Aesthetics form an integral part of India's rich cultural
heritage. They developed according to the principles laid down in
tradition. The tradition is represented by age-old texts composed and
sometimes complied from time to time. Though the texts prescribe well-
directed rules to be followed, they also allow ample scope for the
exhibition of one's own imagination and individual talents. Thus, both
the theory and practice of art forms flourished side by side in India from
very early times.
Sanskrit, being the mother of most of the Indian languages, has
been the medium of expression for majority of the traditional arts
irrespective of the region where a particular form of art flourished.
These texts are called Lakṣaṇagranthas, since they lay down rules. There
are quite a large number of Lakṣaṇagranthas with respect to music and
dance in Sanskrit. The Scientific and systematic study of art forms, their
complimentary forms and their classifications are dealt with
meticulously in these Lakṣaṇagranthas.
Apart from these Lakṣaṇagranthas, which were written by authors
to enunciate the special principles to be adhered to, we have the vast
Sanskrit literature, which throws light on almost all art forms and
aesthetic applications.
