Traditional Indian Theory and Practice of Music and Dance

From the Introduction by Jonathan Katz: The articles in this volume are revised versions of papers presented at a session organized by Dr Sanjukta Gupta and the author for the 1987 World Sanskrit Conference in Leiden. The general interest in this session was the role of the Sanskrit tradition in the performing arts in India. Narrowing this down, the organizers invited participants to consider the relations between theory and practice in music and dance, with particular reference to the Sanskrit textual tradition of musicology. The responses to this invitation varied in approach. Broadly speaking, the discussions were concerned with two areas of investigation. Some examined the ways in which the theoretical treatises could throw light on the history of the arts themselves; others explored the theoretical models and explanations as systems for understanding and codifying ideas and practices. This book raises through detailed discussions in this field, more general issues found in the character of "?stric technical discourse. Contents: Jonathan Katz, 'Introduction: ?stra, prayoga and sanng'ta.' Harold Powers, 'Reinterpretations of tradition in Hindustani music: Omkarnath Thakur contra Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande.' Richard Widdess, 'Reflections on a medieval melody: theory, practice and notation in early Indian musicological texts.' N. Ramanathan, 'Influence of "?stra on "prayoga: the "svara system in the post-"Sang'taratn'kara period with special reference to South Indian music.' Lewis Rowell, 'The "prabandhas in Matanga's "B'hadde?'.' P.L. Sharma, '"?stra and "prayoga: "?stric tradition and contemporary "t'la practice, with special reference to Hindustanimusic.' Mukund Lath, 'Ta?u: the first theoretician of dance.' S.S. Janaki, The hand-gesture "pat'ka in n?ya.' Mandrakranta Bose, 'Categories of dance: "bandha and "anibandha.'Katz, Jonathan is the author of 'Traditional Indian Theory and Practice of Music and Dance', published 1992 under ISBN 9789004097155 and ISBN 9004097155.