Description
The History of Shastriya Sangeet
Course Content:
While Indian music traditions are diverse, the core of the various traditions stand out as unique with their emphasis on ‘the raga’ and ‘the tala’ and a core of commonality that is rooted in spirituality with a history of over two millennia. This Course is the second in the 2-Course Sequence in the Hindu Musical Traditions – Shastriya Sangeet. Our goals are:
- To provide a guided overview of the history and evolution of Indian music
- To provide an overview of the history of composers, sages, saints, emperors and luminaries who have contributed to the evolution of music.
Course Learning Objectives:
After completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- Discuss names and works of musicologists and musical luminaries
- Comprehend the contribution of ancient treatises (in Sanskrit and Tamil) such as the Natya Sastra of Bharata, the Silappathikaram of Illango Adigal and the Sangita Ratnakara of Sarangdev, the Chaturdandi Prakasika of Venkatamakhi and modern works such as the Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini of Subbarama Dikshitar and the work of Pandit Bhatkhande.
- Obtain a brief understanding of the Western world’s study and outlook on Indian music.
- Discuss the contribution of the Bhakti movement and the Hindu Saints of Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra and Bengal to Indian Art Music.
- Discuss the contribution of Vaggeyakaras and the sacred geography of India to Art music.
- Discucss the impact of Islamic and Persian traditions on Indian music
- Discuss the contribution of the Devadasi tradition to Indian Art
- Discuss issues facing contemporary Indian music
Class Structure
There will be a minimum of 1 contact hour every week. The class is structured in a way that promotes discussion and debate based on listening experiences and reading material. While the content being discussed in each class will be concluded within 60 minutes, the discussion time will be free format and can continue for an additional 30 minutes maximum. During the course, students will be required to submit two short essays. They need not be academic quality papers – but should be based on students’ self-reflection on what they have learned and assimilated so far.
Prerequisites: Enrollment into a Program of study
Faculty / Instructor: Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran
Required / Elective: Elective
Start Date:- July 18, 2023
End Date:- September 26, 2023
Day:- Tuesdays
Time:- 8:00 pm EST – 9:30 pm EST
Quarter Offered: Summer 2023
