A Comparative Evolution of Music in India and The West

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Introduction and the importance of subject. 2. The evolution of Indian music: A historical background. 3. Historical background of the evolution of Western Music. 4. Melody and Harmony: the basic concept of Indian and Western Music. 5. Evolution in the various forms of singing in Indian and Western Music. 6. Evolution of the notation system in Indian and Western Music. 7. Evolution of Tala or time pattern in both Indian and Western Music. 8. Evolution of instruments in Indian and Western Music. 9. Evolution of the orchestration in Indian and Western Music. 10. The evolution of scale in India and the West. 11. Comparative evolution in the concept of Rasa in Indian Music and its Parallel, Aesthetics in Western Music. 12. Evolution of the teaching methods both in Indian and Western Music. 13. A comparative sum up of all the characteristics of Indian and Western Music. Bibliography. Illustrations: 1. Birth of Music. 2. Members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performing Oratorio.

"Music of all nations of the world is more or less the purveyor of the same appeal, differing only in themes, composition, modes and structures. Music originated in the shadowy past in the most primitive age and underwent gradual transformations through the process of evolution. Taste and temperament of the people of different countries are the causes for the variation in the forms of music. But in the ultimate analysis we find that the music of all countries bear the same significance, the same ideal, with the pious motive of enriching the treasure of human knowledge. It is necessary that a serious study be made of music, whether of west or of east, so that one may be in a position to understand and share the pleasures with one another. The need of the time is to get under each other's skin. The world is coming closer and music is the best medium through which one can come in immediate touch with the other. It is through music that the culture of different countries, religious, races, can be exchanged and there can be continuous stream of interaction and adoption of cultures of one by the other. The more emphasis on the musical exchange of thoughts is laid, the greater affinity and friendliness will be created amongst the people of all nations as against the wars and intention of dominating the one section of humanity by the other. The pure artist must be free to absorb all influences and mirror the whole world of universal man where affinities are greater than divisions." (jacket)