Abstract

CORTES CISNEROS, Óscar Andrés  and  RENTERIA ALEJANDRE, Sergio Armando. On music theory in Ancient India: An analysis of the sruti concept in Indian tonal systems. Estud. Asia Áfr. [online]. 2019, vol.54, n.3, pp.561-583. ISSN 2448-654X.  https://doi.org/10.24201/eaa.v54i3.2438.

Music theory is an essential aspect of religious, theological, philosophical, and literary thought in India. “Śruti” is a core concept in studies on Indian musicology, and this article presents an introductory analysis divided into three main interconnected topics: the antecedents of the śruti concept in the sāman song, the composition of the śruti (microtone) in ancient India’s musical system and, finally, the presentation of a hypothetical reconstruction of the primary scales originated of the Bharata tonal system. Indian musical theory shows a theoretical process of constants and variables, as well as ruptures and continuity in its historical development.

Keywords : music theory; Ancient India; śruti; microtonal system; Indian musicology.

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