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
46 (of 99)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
63 2
.16.1 Classification of Indian Musical instruments:
The Indian musical instruments are classified into four major
categories: Tata Vādya, Susira Vādya, Avanaddha Vādya & Ghana
ⲹ.
Tata Vādya
Susira Vādya
String instruments (Chordopohnes)
Wind instruments (Aerophones)
Avanaddha Vādya
Membrane covered (Membranophones)
Solid instruments (Idiophones)
Ghana Vādya
The instruments are mostly made using wood, leather, skin and
clay. The making of the musical instruments requires great skill &
practice in the manufacturing process, combined with some basic
knowledge of music & acoustical principles.
were
The conch had been used during wartime to signify the beginning
and end of the day, to alert the army about intruders. Drums
used to convey messages not only during wartime, but also during
peace.
There is one more classification of musical instruments as
� ŚRUTI VĀDYAS
� LAYA VĀDYAS
those that maintain basic tune
- those that keep the beat
� SANGĪTA VĀDYAS - those that emanate musical tunes
-
Musical instruments may again be classified thus:
� TEMPLE INSTRUMENTS
� MARTIAL INSTRUMENTS,
� FOLK INSTRUMENTS.
<< *
Example for these classifications:
ŚRUTI VĀDYAS
LAYA VĀDYAS
SANGĪTA VĀDYAS
Tambura, Ottu etc.
Mrdanga, Kañjira, Ghaṭametc.
Vīṇ�, Violin, Flute, Nādasvaram etc.
