The Evolution of Khasi Music: A Study of the Classical Content/Lapynshai
Syiem. New Delhi, Regency Pub., 2005, xii, 192 p., $65. ISBN 81-89233-13-0.
The Evolution of Khasi Music: A Study of the Classical Content/Lapynshai
Syiem. New Delhi, Regency Pub., 2005, xii, 192 p., $65. ISBN 81-89233-13-0.
Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Profile of Hima Shyllong. 2. Folk-music : the mother of other forms of Khasi Music. 3. Growth and development of traditional music : stages of state formation process : evolution of Sur Shnong (Village Music), Sur Raid (Music at the level of the raid) and Sur Hima (Music at the level of the native state). 4. Khasi musical instruments: their influence on the evolution of Khasi music. 5. The classical content : Khasi beats and tunes which give the essence of the classical content. 6. Towards classicism. Glossary. Select bibliography. Index.
"This book is the first work of its kind where an attempt is being made to bring Khasi traditional music from the oral to the written notation form. It highlights the ingredients prevalent in the Khasi Rhythmic pattern, the organization, the uniformity, the rigidity and the aesthetics, which throw light on the "Classicism" that Khasi Traditional music can attain. Against the background of the concept of Khasi state formation process, the book tries to focus on Khyrim Native state and the music that still prevails therein today.
Photograph of Ka Krem Marai or Marai Cave from where KA Pah Syntiew, the root ancenstress of the Shiem Shyllong clan, is said to have emerged, can be seen on the cover of the book." (jacket)