Contents: Preface. Foreword. 1. Introduction. 2. Characteristics of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music. 3. Eminent composers of Carnatic music. 4. Kriti analysis of Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syamasastri, Swati Tirunal and Papanasam Sivan. 5. Conclusion. Bibliography.

"Classical music and dance are some of the very proud treasures of the heritage of our nation. The author wishes to analyze the extent and scope for Abhinaya leading to dramatic potentials, as available in most of the Kritis of eminent composers of Carnatic music.

Both Carnatic music and dance have prominent place in the cultural and fine arts set up. This has not only swayed the hearts of the ethnic Indian community but also the hearts of the universe breaking all barriers. Together they have a great role in the cultural diplomacy to make the world a better and befitting place to live.

The author shares her experience in the dance field as a vocalist with different dancers to select this particular subject for her analysis. This experience of her singing for different dancers and for different forms, which inspired the author for a special study.

As, an attempt for a comprehensive study, covering all the composers, and their entire compositions for review, it would be very voluminous, the author has taken the study of the Musical Trinity and few of the prominent post period musical Trinity composers.

During the course of deep study of these composers the author has realised greater potentiality specially in the kritis of Tyagaraja for portraying different types of Abhinaya, which further propelled her interest on the subject. She has also made a comparative study of the compositions of these composers under review." (jacket)