Ancient Indian treatises on music and dance form a significant part of India’s cultural and intellectual heritage, providing profound insights into the principles, techniques, and philosophies underlying these art forms. Some of the most notable treatises are:
- Natya Shastra by Bharata Muni:
- Period: Estimated between 200 BCE and 200 CE.
- Content: This is the most comprehensive and earliest text on Indian dance, drama, and music. It describes various aspects of theatrical arts, including dance (Nritta), drama (Natya), and music (Gana). The treatise covers the fundamentals of classical Indian dance, such as the types of movements (karanas), facial expressions (abhinaya), and hand gestures (mudras). It also includes instructions on stage construction, playwriting, and the role of music and rhythm in performances.
2. Sangeet Ratnakara by Sharngadeva:
- Period: 13th century CE.
- Content: This is a seminal text on music, providing detailed descriptions of the seven notes (swaras), scales (ragas), and rhythms (talas). It is considered a bridge between the ancient and medieval periods of Indian music and is highly respected in both North and South Indian music traditions. The treatise also covers the theoretical aspects of music, including the classification of instruments and the aesthetics of sound.
3. Dattilam:
- Period: Estimated around 300 BCE to 200 CE.
- Content: This treatise is an important work that deals primarily with the principles of music, particularly in the context of the ancient system of jatis (predecessors to ragas). It offers insights into the structure and classification of musical scales, melodic forms, and rhythmic patterns.
4. Abhinaya Darpana by Nandikeshvara:
- Period: Estimated between 4th and 6th century CE.
- Content: This text focuses on the art of expression (abhinaya) in dance, which is a crucial aspect of classical Indian dance forms. It elaborates on the various types of abhinaya, including facial expressions (mukhaja), gestures (hastamudras), and body movements (angika). The treatise is particularly influential in the classical dance form of Bharatanatyam.
5. Brihaddeshi by Matanga Muni:
- Period: 6th to 8th century CE.
- Content: This treatise is an essential work in the history of Indian music as it introduces the concept of raga, which became a central element in Indian classical music. It differentiates between marga (traditional) and desi (regional) styles of music and discusses various musical forms and their emotional effects.
6. Natyadarpana by Ramachandra and Gunachandra:
- Period: 12th century CE.
- Content: This treatise is another important work on dance and drama, elaborating on the techniques of acting and the principles of stagecraft. It emphasizes the role of the performer in conveying emotions and storytelling through dance and drama.
7. Sangita Makaranda by Narada:
- Period: Estimated around 11th century CE.
- Content: This text offers an elaborate exposition of the theoretical aspects of music, including the classification of ragas, the role of different musical instruments, and the aesthetics of performance. It is particularly important for its detailed descriptions of various musical modes and their emotional connotations.
India’s ancient heritage is rich with a vast number of treatises on music and dance. While we highlighted seven of the most prominent ones, there are indeed many more texts that delve into various aspects of these art forms. Below are additional significant treatises:
8. Naradiya Shiksha:
- Content: Attributed to Sage Narada, this treatise focuses on the technical aspects of music, including the detailed analysis of the swaras (notes) and their proper usage in musical compositions. It is one of the earliest texts that delve into the science of sound and music.
9. Sangita Sudha by Jagadekamalla:
- Period: 12th century CE.
- Content: This text is a valuable source of information on both music and dance, providing a comprehensive overview of the different types of ragas and talas, as well as their practical applications in performance.
10. Raga Vibodha by Somanatha:
- Period: 16th century CE.
- Content: This treatise is particularly focused on the concept of raga, explaining its structure, mood, and application in Indian classical music. It also offers insights into the classification of ragas and their melodic progressions.
11. Swarmela Kalanidhi by Ramamatya:
- Period: 16th century CE.
- Content: This text is an important work on the theory of music, covering aspects such as the structure of scales, the formation of ragas, and the rhythmic patterns in compositions. It is highly regarded in the Carnatic music tradition.
12. Chaturdandi Prakashika by Venkatamakhin:
- Period: 17th century CE.
- Content: This treatise is a key text in the Carnatic music tradition, introducing the 72 melakarta raga system, which is still used today as the foundation for classifying ragas in South Indian classical music.
13. Sangita Parijata by Ahobala:
- Period: 17th century CE.
- Content: This treatise is comprehensive in its coverage of music theory, including the science of sound, the classification of ragas, and the principles of rhythm. It also discusses the aesthetics of music and its emotional impact on the listener.
14. Rasarnava Sudhakara by Simhabhupala:
- Period: 15th century CE.
- Content: This text is significant for its analysis of the emotional and psychological aspects of music and dance. It provides detailed descriptions of how different ragas can evoke specific emotions, known as rasas, and their application in both music and dance performances.
15. Sangita Darpana by Damodara:
- Period: 16th century CE.
- Content: This work deals with the theoretical aspects of music, including the classification of ragas and the principles of tala (rhythm). It is an important text for understanding the evolution of music theory in India.
16. Abhilashitartha Chintamani (Manasollasa) by King Someshvara III:
- Period: 12th century CE.
- Content: This encyclopedic work covers a wide range of topics, including music and dance. It provides valuable information on the practice of these arts in royal courts and offers insights into the cultural significance of music and dance in ancient India.
17. Bharatarnava:
- Content: This text is another important work on dance, focusing on the various aspects of performance, including the role of music in dance and the importance of rhythm and expression. It is particularly relevant to the classical dance form of Odissi.
18. Raga Mala:
- Content: This treatise is an important text on the theory of ragas, providing detailed descriptions of various ragas and their emotional impact. It is a valuable resource for musicians and scholars studying the history and evolution of Indian music.
These treatises, along with the ones previously mentioned, form a vast and intricate tapestry of knowledge that has shaped the development of Indian music and dance over the centuries. They are a testament to the rich intellectual and artistic traditions of ancient India.
All these treatises not only laid the foundation for classical Indian music and dance but also provided a framework for the development of these art forms over the centuries. They continue to be studied and revered by scholars, musicians, and dancers, offering a deep understanding of the spiritual and artistic traditions of India.
