The article highlights how Bharata Muni's 17th-century-preceding classification of musical instruments influenced the Western Hornbostel-Sachs system via Sourindro Mohun Tagore
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The article highlights how Bharata Muni's 17th-century-preceding classification of musical instruments influenced the Western Hornbostel-Sachs system via Sourindro Mohun Tagore.
Background
Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra classified instruments into four categories: string, air, solid, and membrane based on the vibrating body. Sourindro Mohun Tagore disseminated this knowledge to Europe in the 19th century.
Facts for Prelims
- FactNatya Shastra classified musical instruments into four categories: string, air, solid, and membrane.
- PostSourindro Mohun Tagore was a Bengali aristocrat and musicologist who disseminated Indian musical knowledge to Europe in the 19th century.
- FactThe Natya Shastra includes concepts of shruti (smallest difference in pitch) and tala (musical time).
For Mains
Q. Discuss the historical contribution of the Natya Shastra to the global understanding of musicology and the science of sound.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Epistemic appropriation: Western scholars adopting Indian musical principles while overlooking their indigenous origins.
- Scientific continuity: The transition of ancient Indian acoustic principles into modern global classification systems.
Keywords: Natya Shastra · Musicology · Epistemic appropriation · Acoustics · Cultural heritage
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