NARADASIKSHA : This treatise stands as a proof for the highly scientific system of music prevalent from early times. This is a very informative book and traces the evolution of music. This book must have been written after Natyasastra. The author of this book is believed to be Narada, about 2,000 years ago. The time theory of ragas, Ganagunas, doshas, classification of ragas and raginis are the interesting aspects of this book.
DATTILAM : This literature by Dathila has 244 verses. The language makes one feel that this may be an edited version of a voluminous work. The author has adopted traditional as well as rational method in analysing the subject. It has 12 chapters dealing with sruthi, swara, grama, murchchana, tana, sthana, sushka, jathi, varna and alankara. The author has mentioned his work as a mere attempt to join the system propounded by his predecessors and teachers. One interesting aspect is that the author has mentioned that users are at full liberty to use his work, edit and amend it.
BRIHADDESI : A 9th century work on music. This is the first major treatise giving importance to music. But unfortunately, it is incomplete, may be portions of it are lost. The author has based his work on the Natyasastra of Baratha. This is the first book to deal with ragas in music. The purpose of this book was to highlight many aspects of music which were omitted by Baratha.
SANGEETHA MAKARANDHA : This 11th century pre Ratnakaram-period work has seven sections. Nada, sruti, swara, raga, veena, tala, nartana, etc. This book is highly systematic and scientific but suffers inaccuracy in some respects. In this book mention is made of the merits of a good singer.
SANGEETHA SUDHAKARA : This is a work by Haripala in the 12th century. This has 5 sections. This work is a modification of the existing works and is a compilation of them in a concise and comprehensive way. Angabhinaya, tala, musical instruments, natya and gita are the subjects dealt with.
SANGEETHA SAMAYASARA : This is an authentic work on theory of music by Parsvadeva during the 12th century. It has 10 adhikaras (chapters) with 1400 verses. The work establishes the importance of music and reveals the highly advanced system of musicology and musical traditions prevalent during the time.
MANASOLLASE : This work by king Someswara gives useful information on the prevalent type of music and the system of singing and theoritical aspects. The patronage of music in olden days is also dealt with. It deals with instrumental music, dances, ragas.
SANGITASARA: This is a major work on music by Vidyaranya. Ragas are dealt with in detail in this work. Importance of raga alaapanas and the ways of doing it are dealt with. The ragas are classified as ragas and raginis on the basis of chandas. This is the first work to stress the importance of raga.
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