Music Aesthetics

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Aesthetic is that branch of Knowledge which deals with the historically determined essence of human values, their creation, appreciation and assimilation. It is a philosophical science concerned with the most general principles of aesthetic cognition of the world through any human activity, especially art and music, which formulates, confirms and perfects the results of this cognition according to the laws of nature. The impact of aesthetics is so pronounced that it can mould the system of aesthetic views of a society which leave their stamp on the entire material and cultural activity of man.

Aesthetical experiences are the essence of any art; especially music is understood as synonym of Param Anand or the Supreme Bliss, the pleasure divine. Indian classical music has its deep roots in spiritual and aesthetical values. Music being the most complex types of fine arts, whose images do not have a pronounced representational function, provides the basis for intuitivist aesthetic conceptions. The aesthetics of Indian music is dependent on the basic elements of music. The specific use of these elements is capable of providing specific aesthetical experiences. Indian philosophers have studied these aspects from the philosophical, spiritual, religious and literary view-points but the very essence of aesthetics lies in the musical experience of these elements.

Indian ragas have been assigned different moods and sentiments and they are sung according to their respective aesthetic sentiments for creating different emotional moods in the mind of the singer and the listener. There is a level of listening on which one simply hears these elements come and go and responds to them with feelings of pleasantness or unpleasantness. It is something like enjoying the changing colours of a Kaleidoscope.

This book explains the importance of aesthetics in music and deals with Aesthetics and its Nature, Aesthetics and Rasa, Aesthetics in Context of Musical Idioms or Elements, Aesthetics of Musical Forms, Aesthetics of Rhythm and Time-Theory of Ragas and Aesthetics. This book will provide deep insight into the thoughts of the Indian and Western philosophers regarding the aesthetics and its application to music and other arts.

Dr. Manorma Sharma M.A. (Music), Ph.D. (Music), Sangit Visharad, P.G. (Dip.) in Education. Teaching experience of over 20 years. Currently teaching music in the Department of Music of Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. Guided number of M.Phil. and Ph.D. scholars. Subjects of specialization are — Vocal Music Education, Folk Music. Widely travelled in India and abroad. Conducted comparative’study of the Folk Music of India, Middle East and Africa — Recipient of Senior Fellowship in Music from Government of india. Executive member of India Music Congress, Vice-Chairman of HIMSAR.

Attended a large number of Seminars, Workshops and other meets. Contributed more than 80 articles and research papers in journals of repute. Authored Six books. 1. An Analytical Study of Rag-Kalpadrum (English Translation); 2. Sangit Shodh evam Pravidhi: 3. Lok Manas Ke Surile Swar, 4. Music Education: New Horizons; 5. Sahi Tukde Ki Talash; and 6. The Present one.

Aesthetic is that branch of knowledge which deals with the historically determined essence of human values, their creation, appreciation and assimilation. It is a philosophical science concerned with the most general principles of aesthetic cognition of the world through any human activity, especially art and music, which formulates, confirms and perfects the results of this cognition according to the laws of nature. The impact of aesthetics is so pronounced that it can mould the system of aesthetic views of a society which leave their stamp on the entire material and cultural activity of man.

Aesthetical experiences are the essence of any art especially music is understood as synonym of Param Anand or the Supreme Bliss, the pleasure divine. Indian classical music has its deep roots in spiritual and aesthetical values. Music being the most complex types of fine arts, whose images do not have a pronounced representational function, provides the basis for intuitivist aesthetic conceptions. The aesthetics of Indian music is dependent on the basic elements of music. The specific use of these elements is capabie of providing specific aesthetical experiences. Indian philosophers have studied these aspects from the philosophical, spiritual, religious and literary view-points but the very essence of aesthetics lies in the musical experience of these elements.

Indian ragas have been assigned different moods and sentiments and they are sung according to their respective aesthetic sentiments for creating different emotional moods in the mind of the singer and the listener. There is a level of listening on which one simply hears these elements come and go and responds to them with feelings of pleasantness or unpleasantness. It is something like enjoying the changing colours of a kaleidoscope.

This book explains the importance of aesthetics in music and deals with Aesthetics and its Nature, Aesthetics and Rasa, Aesthetics in Context of Musical Idioms or Elements, Aesthetics of Musical Forms, Aesthetics of Rhythm and Time- Theory of Ragas and Aesthetics. This book will provide deep insight into the thoughts of the Indian and Western philosophers regarding the aesthetics andits application to music and other arts.

I am thankful to the philosophers who gave me inspiration to prepare this book for use of the research scholars and students involved in the study of aesthetics. It will provide supreme bliss to the common man to get rid of the common mental tensions.