Fundamental of Ancient Indian Music and Dance

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

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Vocal Masic
Gåndbarva, Svarādi
One, who is conversant with mārga and desi, is called gāndharva. One, who knows only mārga, is known as Svarādi. Characteristics of Singers
Singers may be best, medium and inferior. The best singer has the following qualifications : good voice, śārira of good qualities, experienced in the start and finish of songs, versed in rāga, rāgānga, bhāsānga, kriyanga and upānga, skilled in prabandha songs, conversant with the principles of various kinds of ālāpa, effortless use of gamakas in all sthānas, controlled voice, versed in tālas and śrutis, tirelessness even after many prabandha songs, experienced in śuddha and chāyālaga rāgas as well as in the peculiarities of all kinds of intonation and in sthāyas, absence of all defects, practice in singing, pleasantness according to the tradition of vocalists, capacity for bringing about clear svaras and tālas etc., possession of deep or compact voice, unhampered speed, capacity for attracting people's minds with songs sung at a lonely place (or, capacity for speedy singing), clearly manifested rāga, possession of traditional knowledge.
The singer of the medium quality lacks some of the above merits, but is free from defects.
A singer, having defects, is said to be inferior.
Performers of vocal music are of five kinds viz. śikṣākāra (learner), anukāra (imitator), rasika (appreciator), rañjaka ( delighter ) and bhāvaka i.e, one who can turn an insipid song into one of relish, render a song devoid of emotion into one of emotion, and car sing after realising the intention of listeners. Defects of Singers
Singers of the following kinds are condemned : (i) Samdaşļa-one who sings with clenched teeth. (ii) Udghuşļa-One who sings too loudly.
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