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 2 - Origin and evolution of Music and Musical instruments
22 (of 99)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
2
.12 The Theatre for Music 41 The tradition of Indian art and Music flourished in four kinds of
performing spaces: sacrificial areas, temple precincts, stages and
platforms and princely courts. The character of each of these spaces
determined the pitch, volume and timbre of music.
The music associated with the sacrificial hall was mainly the
mantras, which were recited as well as sung. The words, their
pronunciation and their appropriateness for the ritual were the supreme
considerations. Musical instruments were employed, but their role was
secondary.
In the closed or semi-closed structures of temple-spaces, the effects
of echo and reverberation were felt. The effect of instrumental and vocal
timbres was more pronounced. Much care was taken in designing such
temple halls for Music. The quality of the performance also depends on
the type of instruments used, and the individual capacity of the
performer to produce a greater variety of sounds. There were regular
temple artistes who performed in these halls.
The courtyard of the temple allowed another kind of music
making called the s膩maja. Visiting artists were also allowed to perform
in these halls. Yet another format that evolved in the temple space was
the gh膩ta-nibandhanam, which was collective dance and music. Temple-
spaces have thus fostered art, folk, religious and popular music.
