Consensus in North Indian Classical Music

Dear Allison, et al,

Please be aware that amongst Hindustani (North Indian) classical
musicians each Gharana (literally: "household", figuratively: "school")
has its own approach to the music, its own theories, and its own
interpretations. While the "Gujerati Hindu musicians" with whom you
lived may have been of the same Gharana, and hence had a relatively high
level of consensus amongst themselves compared to musicians from
different Gharanas, I would recommend caution in assuming that any
theory you have heard or read (especially in the writings of Danielou)
is universally held amongst Hindustani Classical musicians.

Sincerely,
Christopher J. Chapman

"Christopher J. Chapman" wrote:

>
>
> Please be aware that amongst Hindustani (North Indian) classical
> musicians each Gharana (literally: "household", figuratively: "school")
> has its own approach to the music, its own theories, and its own
> interpretations. While the "Gujerati Hindu musicians" with whom you
> lived may have been of the same Gharana, and hence had a relatively high
> level of consensus amongst themselves compared to musicians from
> different Gharanas, I would recommend caution in assuming that any
> theory you have heard or read (especially in the writings of Danielou)
> is universally held amongst Hindustani Classical musicians.
>

Thank you for the caution. I don't assume that any theory is universally held amongst
Hindustani Classical musicians. The Danielou writings I refer to are often summaries of source
materials and it would be hard for me to check them all out. I should explain that
over-riding the consensus that I have perceived in my contact with various Indian musicians
was a bonding respect for tradition. In this I consider myself most fortunate, particularly in
finding a teacher (with a capital 'G') who encouraged me to look for the Source. I thoroughly
recommend this as an enterprise. Perhaps the respect for tradition diminishes as Indian
society changes and also as communities establish themselves outside of India. This invites
variety, debate and change, all of which are stimulating. In addition I happen to believe in
the spirit of many of the theories I've read and heard rather than the letter. As a result my
appreciation of sound, intonation and music has blossomed over the years and has given me the
opportunity to share the fruits of my studies with countless others. As a counterbalance to
all this I am studying my mathematics again and hopefully future postings will be more
scientifically accurate.

Alison wrote,

>The Danielou writings I refer to are often summaries of source
>materials and it would be hard for me to check them all out.

I think that if you did, you'd find that the writings are primarily
fabrications by Danielou to fit his numerical and numerological theories.

I have nothing but the utmost respect and approval for the attitude you
express here:

>I should explain that
>over-riding the consensus that I have perceived in my contact with various
Indian musicians
>was a bonding respect for tradition. In this I consider myself most
fortunate, particularly in
>finding a teacher (with a capital 'G') who encouraged me to look for the
Source. I thoroughly
>recommend this as an enterprise. Perhaps the respect for tradition
diminishes as Indian
>society changes and also as communities establish themselves outside of
India. This invites
>variety, debate and change, all of which are stimulating. In addition I
happen to believe in
>the spirit of many of the theories I've read and heard rather than the
letter. As a result my
>appreciation of sound, intonation and music has blossomed over the years
and has given me the
>opportunity to share the fruits of my studies with countless others.

I have missed a bunch of this thread but was bored here
at work and clicked one of the many ehrlich posts.
And frankly I find a large portion of these comments about Alain Danielou a little off-base.
Danielou(professor at Benares) for many years did years upon years of study and research as i have myself of the different Gharanas and styles. I have read and painstakingly copied several of his books and have played several Ragas according to his notation and observations. They seem to work just fine-- much more focused than Fox-Stangeways or Jhairzboy or any of the others who have attempted to lend a western nomenclature
to an ethnic music.

pagano

P.s. Paul ...this is not directed at you
my work email always sends back to sender so excuse the double!

At Mon, 25 Sep 2000 15:09:49 -0400, you wrote:
>
>
>Alison wrote,
>
>>The Danielou writings I refer to are often summaries of source
>>materials and it would be hard for me to check them all out.
>
>I think that if you did, you'd find that the writings are primarily
>fabrications by Danielou to fit his numerical and numerological theories.
>
>I have nothing but the utmost respect and approval for the attitude you
>express here:
>
>>I should explain that
>>over-riding the consensus that I have perceived in my contact with various
>Indian musicians
>>was a bonding respect for tradition. In this I consider myself most
>fortunate, particularly in
>>finding a teacher (with a capital 'G') who encouraged me to look for the
>Source. I thoroughly
>>recommend this as an enterprise. Perhaps the respect for tradition
>diminishes as Indian
>>society changes and also as communities establish themselves outside of
>India. This invites
>>variety, debate and change, all of which are stimulating. In addition I
>happen to believe in
>>the spirit of many of the theories I've read and heard rather than the
>letter. As a result my
>>appreciation of sound, intonation and music has blossomed over the years
>and has given me the
>>opportunity to share the fruits of my studies with countless others.
>
>You do not need web access to participate. You may subscribe through
>email. Send an empty email to one of these addresses:
> tuning-subscribe@egroups.com - join the tuning group.
> tuning-unsubscribe@egroups.com - unsubscribe from the tuning group.
> tuning-nomail@egroups.com - put your email message delivery on hold for the tuning group.
> tuning-digest@egroups.com - change your subscription to daily digest mode.
> tuning-normal@egroups.com - change your subscription to individual emails.
>
>
>
>
>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Access your e-mail anywhere, at any time.
Get your FREE BellSouth Web Mail account today!
http://webmail.bellsouth.net
----------------------------------------------------------------------------