01 Introduction Final

Introduction
Carnatic classical music is considered as a subtle divine thread capable of binding

the jeevātma with the paramātma; knowledge with philosophy and tradition with
science. Music is the art and science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds or
tones-varying in melody, pitch, harmony, rhythm and timbre with a view to create
structurally aesthetic entities.
Among all the art forms, music is considered to be the most effective medium for
communication and expression of the soul, capable of creating a mood of instant
bliss and aesthetic joy in the mind of the listener through its melodic, harmonic and
rhythmic contents. Music has its own language, and transcends all barriers of
geography, race, creed and colour. It is the language of the heart, and its appeal is
universal.
India is a land of music and music has been an inseparable limb of our civilization
since ancient times pervading all facets of life-be it a social, cultural or religious
aspects.
Music is both Art (Kala) and a science (Shastra). Its study and rigorous practice
results in the development of the intellect and the soul. According to the Shloka:
त्रिवर्ग फलदास्सर्वे दानयज्ञ जपादयः

एकं संगीत विज्ञानं चतुर्वर्ग फलप्रदम्
“Gifts, holy sacrifices and prayers lead to the realization of Dharma, Artha and
Kama, the three-fold desires. But musical knowledge alone is capable of bestowing
the fruits of all the four Purusharthas : Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha”.
Indian mythology has ample evidences of associating musical instruments with

Gods and Goddesses. Particular references to musical instruments can be found in
the great Indian epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as the
Purānas. Gods, Goddesses and other divine beings have been personified as music
incarnate or described as delighting in music. In ancient times the role of music in
India was mainly ritualistic. It was considered as a path to salvation. The growth of
Indian music has been a gradual, continuous process of development from a very
elementary stage. Indian music, like other kinds of art forms, has been handed
down over hundreds of years with all the respect and love that a great heritage
merits. There has been a very long evolution before our tradition achieved maturity
and yielded variety. Today, it is considered to be one of the most sophisticated
melodic music systems in the world of music.
Music is an ancient art form and cultural activity whose medium is sound
organized in time. The word is derived from Greek mousike; “art of the muses” (in
ancient Greece the muses included the Goddess of music, poetry, art and dance).
The concise Oxford dictionary defines music as the art of combining vocal or
instrumental sound (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty or form,
harmony and expression of emotion. Music can be explained as organized sound.
Music is a form of art, an expression of emotions through harmonic frequencies.
Sangeetha is the Indian term connoting music. ‘Gandharvatattva’ is musicology or
the science of music. Music is both an art (Kala) & a science (Shastra). Its study
and practice result in the development of the intellect.
Ancient writers were of the opinion that vocal music, instrumental music & dance
together constituted Sangeetha.
गीतं वाद्यं च नृत्यं च त्रयं संगीतमुच्यते |

The branches of knowledge can be broadly classified into arts (Kala) and
science(Shastra). Music is a fine art, perhaps the finest of the fine arts. It is the
most natural of all arts which spontaneously expresses the language of human
emotion. Music has always been an integral part of India’s culture. It is styled the
Gandharva Veda. God is conceived as Nada Brahma – embodiment of (musical)
sound. This unique concept of Nadopasana or musical meditation has been India’s
gift to the world.
Inspite of having a strong spiritual undercurrent, Carnatic music system is one of

the most scientifically and logically complete systems in the world.
Science(from Latin Scientia, meaning “knowledge”) is a systematic enterprise that

builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and
predictions about the universe. According to Websters new collegiate dictionary,
the definition of science is “knowledge attained through study or practice”. Science
refers to a system of acquiring knowledge. Less formally the word Science often
describes any systematic field of study or the knowledge gained from it.
Music is both an art and a science, and music and science are closely related. Both
use mathematical principles and logic, blended with creative thinking and
inspiration to arrive at conclusions that are both enlightening and inspirational. It
could be said that Science is the music of the intellect, and Music is the science of
the heart.
Music composition is basically a mathematical exercise. A student of mathematics

will find the practical application of many mathematical concepts like permutation
and combination, series, progressions etc. in Music. The primordial scale of Indian
Music was found to take notes of well recognized musical intervals. In the same
manner, all the rhythmical forms have been developed on accurate mathematical
and scientific basis.
From a basic source of sounds, rhythms and tempos, an infinite variety of musical
expressions and emotions can be produced. It is the interaction of sounds, tempo,
and pitch that creates music, just as the interaction of known facts and knowledge
coupled with imagination, conjecture and inspiration produces new scientific
discoveries. Both Science and Music use “formulas” and “theories” to solve
problems, and to explore the intangible mysteries of life.
Some have postulated that Music is the father of Mathematics. To make music, it is
imperative to know how to break “sound” into elements of pitch, rhythm and
tempo. Science teaches us that sound is vibration, and the frequency of vibration is
what makes different sounds. Music then is the study of the sound created by those
vibrations, and puts them into patterns that elicit emotion. Music is based on
Mathematics. And mathematicians view Mathematics as “Music to appease the
intellect”.
Carnatic Classical music has various ingenious technical concepts whose

definitions find their parallel in scientific considerations. A study of these terms are
essential for a deeper understanding of the scientific aspects of this art.
Carnatic music is considered to be one of the most advanced and sophisticated

classical music systems in the world today. Countless composers, have enriched
Carnatic music with innumerable compositions varying in the form, Rāga and Tāla.
The scientific mindset of the authors of our great musical works can be seen in the
Raga Vibodha of Somanatha where he states that science should explain facts;
facts should not be twisted to fit into scientific theories.
This shows the ever progressive nature with a scientific mindset of our great
authors, musicians and musicologists.
Since then a large number of musicians of high caliber have enriched the great
heritage of Carnatic music and are taking it to greater heights, thereby securing a
highly reputed place for Carnatic music at the international level. Similarly,
musicologists have strived hard to preserve the rich heritage of the past and
postulate new theories based on extensive research.
The growth and development of Carnatic music through the centuries is a

testimony to the greatness of the musical mind. Carnatic music is full of
improvisation. It is an ancient and traditional open to new vistas. It is both
innovative and creative. Beyond an iota of doubt Carnatic Classical Music today
ranks as one of the most scientific, creative and advanced systems of music in the
world. This book makes a humble effort to unravel the scientific elements in the
various facets of Carnatic Classical Music.

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Introduction

Carnatic classical music is considered as a subtle divine thread capable of binding

त्रिवर्ग फलदास्सर्वे दानयज्ञ जपादयः

Indian mythology has ample evidences of associating musical instruments with

गीतं वाद्यं च नृत्यं च त्रयं संगीतमुच्यते |

Inspite of having a strong spiritual undercurrent, Carnatic music system is one of

Science(from Latin Scientia, meaning “knowledge”) is a systematic enterprise that

Music composition is basically a mathematical exercise. A student of mathematics

Carnatic Classical music has various ingenious technical concepts whose

Carnatic music is considered to be one of the most advanced and sophisticated

The growth and development of Carnatic music through the centuries is a

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