Indian Concept of Rhythm

Contents: Foreword. 1. Introduction. 2. Concept of Tala and its significance. 3. The place of Tala in Indian music. 4. The form of the Talas in classical music. 5. Percussion instruments: classification of instruments. 6. South Indian music and North Indian music. 7. A scientific study of rhythmic sounds. 8. Relation between public taste and Talas. 9. Tala in ancient works. 10. Real nature of Talas. Index.

"This book is an exhaustive treatise on the concept of rhythm in Indian music. In the first two chapters, the fundamental concepts of Indian music are dealt with comprehensively. The history of Indian music and its phases are dealt with in the first chapter. The second chapter deals with the concept of Tala and its significance. The third and the fourth chapters discuss the place of Tala in Indian classical music. In these chapters the author has dealt with in detail about each and every Tala and its variations giving a variety of illustrations from classical music as well as folk music. The fifth chapter is a complete treatise on percussion instruments supplemented with relevant photographs. The sixth chapter deals with North Indian and South Indian music, discussing the salient features of both comparatively and highlighting the differential traits. The seventh chapter and the three subsequent chapters deals with the development of major Talas and the scientific concepts of Tala and public taste. Throughout, the book is a harmonious synthesis of scholarly treatment, rational scientific outlook and musical aesthetic experience. The distinctive trait of the book is the meticulousness and insight with which the matter and the illustrations have been collected." (jacket)