Science of Melody: Indian System of Musical Melody "Swara Shastra" Analysis of its Science and Sensibilities - Paperback

by Shri Shyam Manohar Goswamy (Author), Nl Shri Mukundray Goswamy (Author), Padmashri Rajeshwar Acharya (Author)

The present volume is an English synopsis with some of the Author's own experiences and interpretations on Science of Melody. The book deals with the subject of illustrating the Science (logical and experimental roots) and Sensibilities (emotional and spiritual feeling based genesis) of the Indian Melodic structures also known as "Swara Shastra" in Sanskrit. The book is a first of its kind in the English language to explore the synthesis of Science, Spirituality, and Art in the context of roots of Melody in Music and their structured systems of Indian Classical Musical. The knowledge is based on ancient texts and the author's own evolution as a practitioner of the art and instructions received from and documented by profound Gurus over the years. As such the Author lists his Spiritual Guru (Vallabh Vedantacharya Shri Shyam Manohar Goswamyji) and his other gurus as co-authors. The first analytical and scientific section is based on Author's continuously evolving experiments in the practice of Naad Yoga and understanding the physical, spiritual and psychosomatic roots of Melody in Music. Second, third and fourth sections go into the ancient details of the structure and science of the Swara system in India with the English descriptions and explanations of the Sanskrit terms and their meanings. Source of the Sanskrit and English translated material is based on the ancient treatise Sangeet Ratnakara of Sharangdeva from and its translation by Dr. RK Shringy in 1978. The original Sanskrit verses have also been maintained in this book to assist the reader in grasping the idea from multiple languages. This book is NOT intended to be a "How-To Guide" on playing the Indian musical instruments or in singing in Indian classical style. It is assumed that the reader has some basic knowledge of the instruments and their physical playing abilities as well as the Indian format of vocal singing if that is the objective. The purpose of the book is to act as a reference and inspiration to educate the practitioner of Music and Melody on true science and sensibilities of the Indian Melody structures so that one can perform with the full and complete depth that is gained by exploring the subject from all avenues. This is a second volume in the Indian Naad Yoga series first of which deals with Science of Rhythm and the reader is advised to refer to that volume for the complete genesis of the Indian Rhythmic system.