Description
Discover the Soul of Indian Sound: A Definitive Guide by True Masters 🎶
Indian classical music is more than just sound; it is the oldest, most sophisticated, and scientifically complete musical system in the world. For centuries, its two major streams—the South Indian (Carnatic) and the North Indian (Hindustani)—thrived as a single tradition before evolving into the incredibly complex forms we hear today. But where does one begin to understand its depth, its melodic scales, and its rhythmic poetry? The answer lies in Classical Music of India: A Practical Guide.
Authored by India’s violin icon, Dr. L. Subramaniam, and the highly celebrated late vocalist, Viji Subramaniam, this book is an expanded, revised, and updated edition of their classic work, Euphony. The authors draw from their lifetime of performance and scholarship to examine the origins, history, structure, and spirit of Indian classical music. The book goes beyond just history; it discusses the melodic and rhythmic aspects of both Carnatic and Hindustani streams in depth, examines integral instruments, and even offers a lucid comparison with European classical music.
This is not just a theoretical textbook; it is a practical guide designed to reach people at all levels of musical interest. Whether you are a beginner taking your first steps into the world of ragas, a musicologist, or a composer looking to broaden your horizons and explore the mathematically structured concept of melakarta ragas, this book is an essential addition to your library.
A true labor of love, Classical Music of India stands as a definitive appraisal of a profound art form, written by two artists who dedicated their lives to mastering it.
🖋️ About the Authors
Dr. L. Subramaniam is India’s violin icon, famously known as the ‘God of the Indian violin’ and the creator of the Global Fusion concept. In a career spanning over six decades, he has recorded and collaborated across staggeringly diverse genres, from Carnatic and Western classical to jazz and film scores. He is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Viji Subramaniam (1952-1995) was an award-winning vocalist, composer, and multilinguist. Along with collaborating on numerous projects with Dr. L. Subramaniam, she notably lent her voice to the soundtracks of Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! and Mississippi Masala.
🎯 Who Needs to Read This?
Music Students & Practitioners: Essential for anyone actively learning Carnatic or Hindustani music, offering deep insights from master practitioners.
Global Music Enthusiasts: Perfect for listeners and composers of Western classical or jazz looking to understand the complex rhythms and scales of Indian music.
Cultural Historians: Anyone fascinated by the history and evolution of one of the world’s oldest continuous artistic traditions.
Have you ever tried learning a classical instrument or vocal style? Share your experience in the comments! 👇
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📚 Top Goodreads-Style Comments to Boost Engagement
5 Stars – The only guide to Indian Classical Music you’ll ever need
“As someone trained in Western classical music, Indian classical always felt incredibly daunting to understand. This book completely changed that. Dr. L. Subramaniam and Viji Subramaniam explain the complex concepts of melakarta ragas and rhythmic nadais with such clarity. The comparison between the Carnatic and Hindustani streams, and how they diverged in the 13th century, is fascinating. A must-read for any serious musician.”
4 Stars – A scholarly yet accessible masterpiece
“I was looking for a book that didn’t just give a superficial overview, and this delivered. The authors’ deep, practical knowledge as performing artists shines through every chapter. It is beautifully structured, starting with a historical overview and moving into the heavy theory of melodies and rhythms. It is quite dense if you are a total beginner, but absolutely worth the effort to understand this rich tradition.”
5 Stars – A beautiful legacy of two musical giants
“Knowing the history of Dr. L. Subramaniam and the late Viji Subramaniam makes reading this book even more special. This updated version of their original book ‘Euphony’ feels like a complete encyclopedia of the Indian musical system. I particularly loved the sections detailing the different musical instruments unique to both the North and South Indian traditions. Highly recommended for any music lover’s library!”
ISBN : 9789360457549
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