Ghunyatu'l Munya : The Earliest Persian Work on Indian Classical
Music/translated into English and annotated by Shahab Sarmadee. New Delhi,
Northern Book Centre, 2003, xlvi, 158 p., figs., ISBN 81-7211-144-4.
Ghunyatu'l Munya : The Earliest Persian Work on Indian Classical
Music/translated into English and annotated by Shahab Sarmadee. New Delhi,
Northern Book Centre, 2003, xlvi, 158 p., figs., ISBN 81-7211-144-4.
"The present volume is a complete English version of a unique Persian work on Indian music. The original text happens to be the earliest to deal with the profound art of Sangita comprising Gita, Vadya and Nrtya. As such, it may be placed almost next to the Sangita Ratanakara of Sarngdeva, in chronological significance.
"The author of Ghunyatu'l Munya lays equal emphasis on tansif and talif: the poetic text and the same composed in melody and rhythm. Its departure from the traditional themes and its treatment of themes, whenever needed, its candid criticism of the age-old theories and concepts, its assignment of similar status to forms of song and dance such as Dhuvah, Maath, Jhumrah and Rupak, introduce these as Ma' mul (practised), Mutadawil (current) and Sarvdey Makhsus (song-form par excellence). Similarly, Vastu (the natal) and Sohilah (nupital songs) of the ladies of India, and ancit, Loharai, bhamari - constituting the dance aerobatics of the nata tribes since time immemorial, give credence to the author's objective outlook." (jacket)