Page 2 - Oct-Dec 2017

VEDIC VALUE
Musical Roots The tradition of Vedic chanting
has been inscribed on the
Representative List of the
The tradition of music has existed in India since time immemorial. It has Intangible Cultural Heritage of
evolved over a period of time. Since Ancient times, music has been an Humanity by UNESCO.
invaluable part of Indian culture and tradition.

mUSIC tImeLIne Illustration by: Ananya
Dhimahi, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan’s Atmakuri Rama
• Between 2500-1500 BC we found evidence of musical instruments Rao School, Jubilee Hills,
like drums and statues like the Dancing Girl from the Indus Valley Hyderabad
Civilization.
• Between 1500-500 BC we saw a rise in rhythmic compositions and
chanting of hymns during the Vedic period. Also, string instruments like
the veena, dundubhi, tunav and talav were developed.

• Between 500-200 BC Panini mentioned about music in one of his works
around 500 BC. In Rikpratisakhya written around 400 BC, evidence of
phonetics can be found. Epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata
were narrated in musical tones known as Jatigan.
• Between 200-300 ad Natyashastra was composed by Bharata
Muni. Another form of music known as the Chhalikya and dance
form known as Hallisaka evolved during this period.
• Between 300-600 ad we saw a rise in the ‘Golden Age’ in arts. Kalidas
composed many plays. Another form of music known as Prabandh
became very popular.

• Between 600-1200 ad music diversified further. Matanga wrote
Brihaddeshi in the 9 century. In the 11 century, Narada composed Illustration by:
th
th
Sangeeta Makaranda. Hardika Behal,
Convent of Jesus
and Mary, Ambala
Cantt.

Samaveda Sangeet RatnakaRa
The term Saman means a chant or This text literally means ocean of
a melody. Samaveda consists of a music. Sharangdara, the author,
collection of hymns and detached describes the techniques of playing
verses. While Rigveda is the word, 14 kinds of drums. Both the systems
Samaveda is the song or its meaning. of music, Hindustani and Carnatic,
Fazeel Ashraf, V D, Scholars Home Sr. Sec. School, trace their concepts to this text.
Dehra Dun
Himanshi Dhiman, IX b, D.A.V. Sr. Sec. School,
Ambala

PURanaS natYaSHaStRa
Vishnudharmottara Purana is an Bharat’s Natyashastra is the first theoretical
encyclopaedia on various aspects of work on music. It is inspired from the much
arts and aesthetics and a few chapters older text, Gandharvaveda. It is a dialogue
are dedicated to vocal and instrumental between Bharata and various sages who
music. ask him about “natyaveda”.

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