The Musical Culture of India is an encyclopedia book of Indian classical music in Chinese language that was recently released in Beijing. The book, authored by noted Chinese musician and scholar Prof Chen Ziming, is a significant contribution to the study and understanding of Indian music in China. This is the first monograph on Indian classical music written in Chinese, and it can fill the void in the field. The book has 13 chapters of content, including on cultural background, origin, history, types of Indian music, basic theory, ragas, talas, musical instruments, music genre, and folk music.
Background and Origin of Indian.
Music The book covers the cultural background and origin of Indian music, which traces back to ancient times. It highlights how music has been influenced by different civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic period, and the Mughal Empire. Indian music has a rich history that has been shaped by different regions and cultures. The book covers the diverse styles of Indian music, which are classified into two broad categories: classical and folk.
Types of Indian Music.
The book covers the various types of Indian music, including Hindustani, Carnatic, and devotional music. Hindustani music is prevalent in North India, while Carnatic music is popular in South India. Devotional music, also known as bhajans, is devotional songs that are sung to praise God. The book also discusses the different forms of devotional music, including qawwali and kirtan.
Basic Theory, Ragas, and Talas The book provides an in-depth analysis of the basic theory of Indian music. It covers the concept of shruti, which is the smallest interval of pitch used in Indian music. The book also discusses the concept of raga, which is the melodic structure used in Indian music. The book covers the different types of ragas and their characteristics. The book also discusses the concept of tala, which is the rhythmic structure used in Indian music. The book covers the different types of talas and their characteristics.
Musical Instruments.
The book covers the different types of musical instruments used in Indian music. It highlights the significance of each instrument and how it contributes to the overall sound of the music. The book covers instruments such as sitar, tabla, sarod, sarangi, and veena.
Music Genre and Folk Music The book discusses the different music genres in India, including film music and pop music. The book also covers folk music, which is an essential part of Indian music. The book discusses different forms of folk music, such as Baul, Bihu, and Lavani.
Author and His Love for Indian Music.
The author of the book, Prof Chen Ziming, is a renowned Chinese musician and scholar who has a deep love for Indian music. He first visited India in 1989 as a foreign scholar to study Indian music. He visited several Indian music institutions and developed long friendships with various top musicians and cultural personalities. Prof. Chen encouraged his juniors to study Indian music and dance forms. One of his students is the noted Chinese Bharatnatyam dancer, Jin Shan Shan, who runs a dance school in China to popularize Bharatnatyam. Prof.Chen dedicated his book to Ravi Shankar and Samson for their encouragement to carry on with his study.
In Conclusion, The “Musical Culture of India” is a significant contribution to the study and understanding of Indian music in China. The book covers various aspects of Indian music, from its cultural background and origin to its types, basic theory, ragas, talas, musical instruments, music genre, and folk music. The book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn about Indian music and its history.