Music in India

The same tenacity of institutions exists here as is found in China; but the more lively imagination of the Hindoos voices itself in a richly adorned poetry which is reflected in their music by varied rhythms, embellished melodies, and complicated scales. The origin of muisc is ascribed ot the gods; and a well developed musical system is aparent in the four sacred books called Vedas, which date from cir. 2000 B.C. The Brahmins produced many songs or Ragas, which are built upon strict formulae, and each of which is devoted to a special occasion, is personified as a deity, and is supposed to exercise supernatural powers. Indeed, the use of some of them was so restricted that the person who unlawfully sang them was punished by death.

The musicians are chiefly comprised in two classes of Bayaderes, the first consisting of high caste maidens devoted to the service of the gods, and the second of itinerant musicians of the lower classes. Religious music, strictly regulated and combined with dancing, occupies an important place. There are also orchestras and music dramas.

There was formerly an enormous number of scales, of which not more than twenty are now in common use. These are based upon twenty-two minute srutis, or nearly equal divisions of the octave, and are akin to ours in that they have seven tones to the octave. Songs are plentiful, and are fendered with lavish and weird decorations.

Instruments, too, are exceedingly numerous, and show a higher development than those of the Chinese, in the predominance of the strings. The national instrument is the Vina, said to have been given by the consort of Brahma, and consisting of a long hollow tube with nineteen movable bridges, over which are stretched seven metal strings, and the tone of which is reinforced by two hollow gourds. Besides this teh Magoudi, a long-necked, four-stringed guitar, and two rudimentary violins, one played with a bow, are noteworthy.