The Purity of Indian Classical Music (Temperament, Samskaras and Spiritual Dynam

About The Book

This book is an attempt to re-vitalise the tree of North Indian Classical Music with the nourishment of spiritual understanding, and the pure water of sincere seeking. There is an inherent peacefulness about this music. Purity is needed. Purity of thought (sankalpa), word (vak) and deed (karma), which awakens the innate divinity in each of us, is essential for rejuvenating and retaining the purity, beauty and grandeur of North Indian Classical Music. Incidentally, this invocation of the divine attributes in us also leads us to Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, or universal peace, apart from monumental personal achievements in performing music. This book approaches the purity of Indian Classical Music as a function of temperament, samskaras and spiritual dynamics. With spiritual underpinnings, this music taleem (education) invariably leads to pure music, music that touches the core and the innermost recesses of the heart. Sadhana (disciplined life) or tapasya (austerity, which is the true basis of culture) and purity in Indian Classical Music are inexorably connected to the temperament aspect and the instillation of right samskaras by the Guru (in the Guru-shishya parampara). The Guru is a true Teacher, pure in life, rich in aspiration and insights. These samskaras include reverence for the Guru, for the elders, the art of listening (shravana), manana (reflection on what is listened to, in rapt attention) and nidhidhyasana (meditation and assimilation into one's life by creative analysis). Musical perfection comes when you Dekho (See with the eyes of the heart, listen with concentration), Sikho (learn, in a spirit of reverence for the Guru, with a heart contrite and holy), and Parkho (intellectually assimilate by keen, creative perception and independent thinking)!