Development of Hindustani Classical Music (19th & 20th Centuries)

Music is one of the greatest attainments of the human being on this earth. Music not only provides people pleasure, perfect happiness and bliss but it blesses with ecstasy that leads to one’s spiritual upliftment. Classical music has found more favour with the Indians particularly with the Hindus who recognize it a divine art to have communism with the Supreme Soul. Music in India associated with the holy Vedas particularly with the Samveda, enjoys great esteem. Even today, it entertains and equips the man with high yogic powers.

In this study, an endeavour has seen made to prove into and analyze the cause responsible for the development of music during 19th and 20th centuries. These two centuries were not at all favourable for the development of fine arts and music as they were chequered with political upheavals. The fall of the Mughal empire, the domination of the British, the liquidation of the big ruling states and emergence of small princely states all had their repercussion on music.

The book is divided into eight chapters covering all the developments that took place during theses two centuries making the book highly useful for the students of music.

1. She passed her M.A. securing first position from University of Delhi and was awarded with gold medal. She completed her Ph.D. In 1991 from University of Delhi.

2. With expertise in classical music, she was also well-trained in performing of music. She had also performed successfully in various Hindustani Musical Concerts. Her performances are being broadcasted on both radio as well as television.

3. In November 2002, her album of devotional songs titled ‘Mir Magan Bhai’ was released under the banner of T-series.

4. She was reader in the department of music in Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi.

5. She died on August 6, 2007. CD titled ‘He Ram’ of the songs that were sung by her was released thereafter.

Dr. Rama Saraf was in the process of updating the manuscript of this book, entitled Development of Hindustani Classical Music when she in rather indifferent health came to me for the ‘Foreword’. As I had undergone major eye-surgery, I asked her to give me some time. She left with a word to call on me again. Alas, that was not to be; her ailment took a turn for the worst and instead I had to go to her to bid the final farewell! However, with the effort of her husband, Shri Sunil Saraf, this work is being published.

Rama was one of my favourite students. With her gift of voice, she had acquired a certain proficiency in Hindustani classical vocal music. A dedicated scholar, she was always pecking titbits of knowledge. The present work is a garner of those titbits.

It is, no doubt difficult to cover two centuries (19th and 20th) of our music in a single volume. It goes to the credit of Dr. Rama Saraf that she has done just that quite facilely. I hope this work will serve as a useful reference book for research scholars and students alike.

My humble genuflection to God, the Almighty, by Whose grace I could bring this onerous task to a satisfactory close. I find myself short of words to express my indebtedness to honourable Professor Dr. Viney Kumar Agrawala (Head & Dean of the Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, University of Delhi) for his benignity in according approval to the topic of this study and the encouragement that I have been receiving from him.

I express my deep sense of gratitude to Dr. Mrs. Sumati Mutatkar for the mast valued information that I got from her.

To my Guru Pt. L.K. Panditji, I am no less grateful for his blessings that count much in life.

I most earnestly acknowledge that it has been the most able and affectionate guidance of my Supervisor Dr. Ajit Singh Paintal that furnished me with the most needed light to pass through the dark labyrinth of this work. My thankfulness for him knows no bounds.

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