Fundamental of Ancient Indian Music and Dance

Author(s): Sureshchandra Benarji
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 26

VOCAL MUSIC
General remarks
In the Sanskrit works on music, song has been highly extolled. It may be noted that, in the Vedic times, song constituted an essential element of the sacrificial rites used to be performed for propitiating gods. Indeed, the Sāmaveda, one of the four Vedic Samhitās including the Atharvaveda, is a collection of songs. Of the gods, Śiva is particularly stated to be delighted with songs. Brahmā has been described as engaged in singing songs. Songs enrapture the soul, and enthrals the beings. Even a little child, utterly inexperienced in the pleasures of the senses, while weeping, is appeased with songs, the music of the lullaby lulls even a very restive child to sleep. What to speak of human beings ? Even lower animals are enchanted by songs. For example, the restless deer, attracted by the charming melody of songs, becomes motionless and falls a victim to the hunter.
Of song, instrumental music and dance, the three constituents of Samgita, song has been accorded the highest place. Sārņgadeva says ( I. i. 24 ) dance follows instrumental music which, in its turn, follows songs : Gita-its definition, characteristics and types
A group of Svaras 1 (notes), which caused delight to the mind, is called gita. It is twofold according as it is gāndharva and gāna. Gāndharva is that whose tradition has 1 To be defined below.