The Role of Criticism in Hindustani Music

Contents: Acknowledgement. Introduction. 1. The performing arts. 2. Aesthetics in Hindustani music. 3. Music criticism. 4. Dance and theatre in perspective. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.

"This book was written with a view to combining author\'s pursuit of Hindustani music with her background in art journalism. It begins with a brief description of some of the classical performing art-forms of India and then goes on to discuss in detail that what musicologists down the ages have called "good" music.

Keeping within the format of focusing primarily on Hindustani music, the author traces, what the modern trends in this art form are and the reasons behind these trends. The fact that Hindustani classical music will always have an audience, although limited in number, and the reasons behind it, has also been examined. And, against the backdrop of classical Indian music, dance and theatre in their current presentations, the author analyses what should be the role of the critic and their nature and style of criticism is.

What is the critic? Does the critic serve any significant purpose-for the artiste, for the appreciation of the audience? Do the critics truly communicate aesthetic values? Above all, do they know enough to comment upon? These, and many other queries are being discussed in this book." (jacket)