Customer Reviews

The Life of Music in North India: The Organization of an Artistic Tradition

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This book is a highly readable description of the relationship between music and society in North India. Topics include: becoming a musician, being a musician, social organization of specialist knowledge, gharanas (musical traditions), adaptive strategies of Hindu music culture, ecology of Hindu music culture, and the cultural structure and social organization of a music tradition. As an outsider, Neuman is quite attuned to the special characteristics of Hindu music culture that make it unique. He points out that in the Indian culture, "there is a high premium on musical knowledge. The more esoteric, the more it is valued," which goes a long way towards explaining the complexity of Indian rhythms and modes. In the chapter on becoming a musician, Neuman relates how beginning students are evaluated not so much on how well they play, but on the thicknesses of their calluses. Students are expected to practice 8, 12, even 18 hours a day, just as mature performers do. Neuman describes the relationships between the teacher and the student, and between the soloist and the accompanists, between the musicians and the audience. In his chapter on gharanas, he discusses the history of gharanas and how this ancestral system of musical `heredity' works. He also provides an informative discussion of All India Radio, and what it means to be employed as a musician at AIR. The appendices include a variety of material, from charts diagramming connections and marriage links between gharanas, to types of musicians employed at AIR and the fees they receive. There is also a glossary, in addition to a list of references and index.

This surely is a fascinating read. The thing that sets it apart from 'other books about Hindustani music' is (in plain English) that while most focus on the technicalities of the music itself, this book focuses more on the people MAKING the music. It explores relationships between the gurus and their students, details the complex issues that define becoming a musician both today and historically, and looks at the lives OF the musicians. Definitely a "must-read" for anyone (1) looking into studying North Indian music, (2) studying musicians across cultures, or (3) looking for more insight into another oft-ignored subset of Indian culture: the musicians themselves.

This book is a must for all those interested in the tradition of Hindustani music (the 'classical' music of North India). It covers the cultural structure, social organization, and adaptive strategies of the musicians, from both an historical and current perspective.

The book was in great condition, but unfortunately took a while to get here. Not too worried about it though, no complaints!