Arts in the Puranas (study)
by Meena Devadatta Jeste | 1973 | 74,370 words
This essay studies the Arts in the Puranas by reconstructing the theory of six major fine arts—Music, Dance, Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Literature—from the Major and Minor Puranas. This thesis shows how ancient sages studied these arts within the context of cultural traditions of ancient India....
8. Music in the Harivamsha
- 52 MUSIC IN THE HARIVAMSA Harivamsha is said to be the 'khila' (appendix) of the Mahabharata. However after a detailed study Harivamsha appears like a complete Vaisnava Purana. It gives some valuable material about Music, Dance and Drama. We come across in the Harivamsha, certain theories about the fine arts which are absent even in the other puranas and the theoretical treatises. The 'Chalikyageya' is presented in IInd Khanda Chapter 89 through Srikrsna. The 'Chalikya The 'Chalikya - Gandharva' song along with the instrumental music in the Krsnacarita of the Harivamsha. - the is an important thing But surprisingly the 'Chalikya Gandharva' does not appear even in the Natyasastra. In the Harivamsha we come across the description of the recital of instrumental music played by the Apsarasas with Arsna, Satyabhama, Narada etc. It is said that this music is very auspicious. The Chalikya song, conducive to the well-being, nourishment, and prosperity and which was great, auspicious and productive of fame and piety of mankind, was sung in chorus by Krsna, Rama, Pradyumna etc. This Chalikya which was sung there, was capable of bearing the axle of virtue and destructive of sorrow and sin. It is also said in the Harivamsha that Gandharvas and great Asis might attain to a devotional spirit on account of the virtues of Chalikya.131 From this it is obvious that this type of music was prevalent in India for some time. Afterwards it went out of vogue. This 'Chalikya-Gandharva' presents many progressive
. 53 principles of music. Accompanied by instruments and adorned with acting, this music produces a wonderful effect. 132 Chalikya of various tunes was sung by the gods and Gandharvas. Then Narada began to play on his Vina with six Gramaragas. (Sadgrama ragadi) which bring about the concentration of mind. The names of these Grama-ragas not mentioned here. Krsna began to perform Hallisaka accompanied by the music of his flute and Partha began to play Hallisaka is a minor dramatic entertainment on his Mrdanga. are chiefly of singing and dancing by one male and eight or ten female performers, a bellet." (Rasalila of Srikrsna with 133 Gopis).