The Life of Music in North India: The Organization of an Artistic TraditionThis book tells us of the relationship between a people and its music. It reveals part of a major drama unfolding in India today: a great musical tradition engaging a modern world. The author examines the traditional culture of the musicians, their art and their audience; then he studies and interprets the impact that the mass media, educational institutions, and public performances are having on the music and musicians of India today. Indian music stands virtually alone among major non-Western traditions, persisting essentially untouched by a colonial past and a Westernizing present. It continues to thrive in India and has created audiences for itself in Europe and North America. By interpreting the music of North India as a cultural phenomenon, the author describes the integrity of this most ephemeral art in a world vastly changed from the one which gave it birth. Focusing on the northern (Hindustani) style, the author examines the hereditary families and stylistic schools, social and musical hierarchies, genealogical histories, and castes. He discusses how music has been orally passed down from generation to generation, both a great heritage and as specialized craft. |
Contents
Illustrations | 9 |
Note on the Text | 15 |
Becoming a Musician | 30 |
Copyright | |
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accompanists accompanying Agra gharana Ahmed art music Atrauli audience become binkars biradari Brahman brother caste casual artists century Chand Khan cians claim classical music composition concert considered context court courtesan Dagar Delhi gharana descendants Dharis dhrupad disciple example father Ghulam guru guru-shishya Gwalior gharana harmonium hereditary musicians Hindu Hindustani music Hussein Khan Imam important India Radio Indian music instrument instrumentalists Kalawant Khan's khandan khayal Kirana learning light classical lineage mance marriage melodic Mirasi Mirasi Yes A.I.R. Muhammad musi music culture musical tradition musicians Muslim Muslim Mirasi Yes Muslim musicians North India performance play practice rāgs refer relationship riaz role Sabri Khan Sangeet sarangi sarangi player sarangiyas sarod Shah Shankar shishya sing sitar sitarist social identity solo soloist and accompanist sometimes staff artist style tabla player tabliya tanpura tanpura player Tansen tawaif teacher thumri tion Ustad usually Vilayat Khan vocal music vocalist Wahid