Scholars discuss the monumental work Sarangadeva

Scholars from India and abroad held a wide ranging discussion on the 'codification and Oral Practices" of the monumental work 'Sangitaratnakara' of renowned scholar Sarangadeva at a seminar under the aegis of Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan in the Capital.

Speaking on the contribution of Sarangadeva – a scholar from Kashmir who settled in the Deccan region in Southern India – Prof Krishna Bisht, noted Khayal vocalist of Delhi Gharana , focussed on the application of anibaddha gana of Sarangadeva in Hindustani Khayal genre while Prof Ritwik Sanyal , veteran Dhrupad exponent from Varanasi, through an exhilarating performance established the links with the oral tradition of Dhrupad .

Dr Indrani Chakravarti, from Prashanti Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, through her association with the tribe – the 'Kinnara Jogis' in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, gave an interesting account of its current existing practise while explaining the swara scales from vedic period to Sarangadeva. Prof Najma Perveen Ahmad,whose research has been on Persian texts on Indian music, focussed mainly on the two important texts 'Lahjat-e-Sikandar Shahi' and 'Ghunyat-ul-Munya' which have elaborately dealt with Sarangadeva. Dr Richard Widdess , Prof of Musicology from SOAS, UK gave an interesting analytical view point on the alapa and alapti as expounded by Sarangadeva. Dr Arati Rao from Bangalore, explained the seven salaga suda prabandhas of SR through a well-conceived demonstration of verses set to the different talas.

Bhawan's Director, Ashok Pradhan focussed on the importance of knowledge of Sanskrit in understanding the worth of monumental works like the Sangita Ratnakara that bridged the theory and practise of performing arts of the ancient medieval times and their importance in the practising scenario of the present times. Eminent scholar and art historian Kapila Vatsyayan appreciated the work being done by Bhawan.