Companion to North Indian Classical Music

With growing interest in North Indian classical music, both in India and abroad, and inspite of several books on specific topics which have appeared in recent times, there was a need for a comprehensive reference book in English which would give adequate and precise information on various aspects of North Indian or Hindustani classical music at one place. For general readers, students, and practising musicians, the Companion to North Indian Classical Music has served to fill this gap. With more than 1200 entries, this book gives, in an intelligible and straightforward manner, information about various ragas of Hindustani classical music and their scales and performance times, tals used, their structure and ethos, nomenclature and terms in currency; historical background and development of forms, and various genres and gharanas: biographical notes about outstanding artists and performers, both vocalists and instrumentalists of the twentieth century along with performers ascending with the twenty-first century. It also includes musicologists of note, and information about various musical instruments and their evolution. Some notations used in this book have been revised. The Appendices include a comprehensive list of ragas and their scales, etc. and the Discography (App. D) gives details of cassettes and CDs to facilitate listening to good music, and performances by maestros. Besides correcting some errors and providing for omissions, this second revised edition of the Companion includes new material.