Indian Classical Music, Drama, and Dance: 9 Basic books to read

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Here are some must-read books about Indian Classical music, Drama and Dance. THE VEDAS ARE WHERE INDIAN CLASSICAL THEATRE FIRST APPEARS. AS EARLY AS 400 CE, PERFORMERS OR NATA ARE SUPPORTED BY EPICS LIKE THE MAHABHARATA. THE OLDEST TREATISE ON INDIAN PLAY IS THE NATYASHASTRA BY BHARATAMUNI, WHICH FIRST APPEARED IN THE THIRD CENTURY CE.

The Play World of Sanskrit Drama

The poetic cosmos (kavyasam) proposed by Anandavardhana and other poets is known as the “PlayWorld of Sanskrit Drama.” The seven plays examined here, by Bhasa, Kalidasa, Sudraka, and Visakhadatta, each provide us a unique perspective on the key kavya concerns and their underlying ambiguity. Despite its name, a classical Sanskrit drama uses both Sanskrit and Prakrit languages giving it a bilingual nature. Sanskrit drama utilized stock characters, such as the hero, heroine, or clown . Actors may have specialized in a particular type. Makabayan by Patanjali contains the earliest reference to what may have been the seeds of Sanskrit drama.

Indian Theatre: Traditions of Performance

The book provides a thorough analysis of the numerous art forms that are practiced in various parts of India virtually as a way of life. In these pages, several facets of the rich performing culture of the nation, which has its own own mythology, rituals, traditions, and folk life, are explained in a clear and concise manner. The book discusses the rise and fall of the Sanskrit classical theatre as well as other art forms such as masks, puppets, martial arts, wandering bards, and down to the multifaceted progress of the modern theatre after independence, tracing the history of performing arts to the times when the two epics and the puranas were the only source of entertainment and outlet for creative energy. Each of these chapters provides a brief history of the theatrical form being discussed, analyses its dramatic literature, looks into its ritual or religious importance, and, where appropriate, looks into its social and political ramifications.

Rasa : Performing the divine in India

Few are aware of the major significance of religious belief and practise in Indian aesthetics, despite the fact that many individuals outside of India find the visuals, sounds, and practises of Indian performing arts captivating and attempt to include them in the “global” repertory. This book wraps off the trilogy that began with Darsan: Seeing the Divine in India and continued with Mantra: Hearing the Divine in India and America by examining the use of rasa in various Indian performing traditions. Rasa means flavour, essence, and taste. In all the great literary, philosophical, and aesthetic works, rasa conveys the fundamental purposes of performing arts in Indian culture and serves as the foundation for oral transmission traditions. Additionally, the study and creation of sculpture, architecture, and painting depend on it. However, food is its main reference point. This book explores the connections between the arts and religion in contemporary India and explains the religious sensibility that underlies traditional performing arts as well as other uses of rasa.

THE FUNCTION OF MUSIC IS TO RELEASE US FROM THE TYRANNY OF CONSCIOUS THOUGHTS

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Singing Bowls: A Practical Handbook of Instruction and Use

The Himalayan bowls, often referred to as Tibetan or Nepalese singing bowls, are described in SINGING BOWLS, along with the unique sounds they produce, known as sound massage. If you wish to open your heart and mind to this phenomenon’s healing significance, the riddles covered here are a great introduction. The use of sound in meditation, healing, and prayer is discussed in this book. It does give helpful advice on how to use them and how to go about choosing the bowl that is best for you.

Solo Tabla Drumming of North India (2 Vols.): Its Repertoire, Styles and Performance Practices Vol.I Text

As a result, this Vol. 1 provides information on the text and commentary as well as the many ways the tabla is used in North Indian classical music.

The Dictionary of Hindustani Classical Music

The author of this book has discussed musical words that are both commonly used and found in the old sastras. With reference to their origins, he has defined these concepts in straightforward English. This book offers little drips of information about the vast world of music. It’s noteworthy to notice that every term used in music literature has a nuanced meaning, and the author often provides instances to illustrate where words came from and how they have changed through time. The book is in fact an encyclopedia of music, explaining the meaning of 341 terms.

Dance

CLASSICAL DANCE ENHANCES OUR EMOTIONS AND ALLOWS US TO COMMUNICATE WITHOUT WORDS. IT HAS A RHYTHMIC, EXPRESSIVE, BEAUTIFUL, AND PASSIONATE FEEL ABOUT IT. IT ENHANCES YOUR BEAUTY, CALMNESS, AND ATTRACTIVENESS.


Bharata Natyam on the Global Stage: At Home in the world

Bharatanatyam is the iconic national and classical dance of India. Janet O’Shea’s celebratory book on the dance traces its development from its origins in South Indian temples and palaces to a highly regarded international dance discipline that is being performed on stages across the world. Because it collects dance research developed during the 1980s in dance anthropology, area studies, subaltern studies, postcolonial studies, cultural, religious, and performance studies, the book is essential reading for dance academics.

Dance Dialects of India

In India, where regional dance rituals, dance-drama, folk dance, and classical dance forms have existed for centuries as an integral part of sacred rites and festivals as well as a classical art patronised and practised by the royalty, the book is addressed to the general reader, dancer, and connoisseur interested in the country’s arts and traditions.

Nityasumangali: Devadasi Tradition in South India

The devadasi phenomena has suffered significantly as a result of inaccurate, culturally constrained assessments. Instead, it makes an effort to comprehend it through the lens of Hindu tradition. Three paths have led to this risky approach: 1. textual study, primarily of Sanskrit and Tamil sources; 2. practical training in the performing arts of the devadasis and study of the underlying aesthetic theories; and 3. fieldwork, which involved living with a Hindu family, taking part in their rites and rituals, and developing a long-lasting, warm friendship with the informants.

Ancient Greek and Roman theatrical traditions, which together form the core of dramatic performance, are referred to as “classical drama.” the spiritual, Indian classical music is a solo endeavor that emphasizes melodic development primarily. During a performance, rhythm also contributes significantly, providing melody texture, sensuality, and a feeling of direction. Additionally, it serves as a vehicle for the expression of emotions, which promotes self-assurance and self-belief. Indian classical dance teaches kids the significance of India’s rich literary and cultural legacy since it is mythology-based. These nine books of Indian classical drama, music and dance are hand-picked books.

You can also check other books of Indian classical drama, music and dance and various other topics on our website http://indicbrands.com. To read more about Hinduism you can visit our page http://hindumediawiki.com,you can also connect with us on our Twitter account at http://twitter.com/indicbrands.

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