Romance of the Raga/Vijaya Moorthy. New Delhi, Abhinav,
2001, 129 p., $55. ISBN: 81-7017-382-5.
Romance of the Raga/Vijaya Moorthy. New Delhi, Abhinav,
2001, 129 p., $55. ISBN: 81-7017-382-5.
Contents : Foreword. Preface. 1. Indian classical music—a historical perspective. II. Evolution of the contemporary systems of Hindustani and Karnatak classical music—the spirit of synthesis. III. Romance of the raga. IV. Tala—the rhythm of life. V. Raga presentation—a wealth of styles. VI. Great composers in Karnatak music.VII. Musical instruments through the ages. VIII. The garland of Ragas. Glossary. Select bibliography. Select discography. List of colour illustrations. List of black and white illustrations. Index.
"The place of the Raga in Indian Classical Music is indeed unique. The Romance of the Raga is an attempt to outline the evolution and perspective, as also the sheer variety and distinct styles, of this powerful and enthralling medium of spiritual and aesthetic form of musical expression.
"Based on the belief that sound is God and Nada Brahma or Intelligible sound is the fusion of the physical breath with the fire of the intellect, the book proceeds to unravel the priceless historical traditions of Indian Classical Music.
"It provides a glimpse into the variety of techniques and styles that are employed for presentation of the Raga and highlights the significant contribution made by some of the shapers of India’s musical destiny towards the enrichment of both the systems : Hindustani and Karnatak.
"The work also portrays the predominant characteristics of inner dynamism and resilience, as also the unlimited potential, amazing elasticity and the power of assimilation of the Raga, as a medium of creative musical expression. Further, the variety and range of musical instruments and confluence of Indian Classical Music and Miniature Painting have been illustrated with a view to enunciating the all-important aspect of the thematic content of the Rage". (jacket)