The Music of Hindostan c5.26

c5.26

We have spoken of some difficulties of understanding music which are due to an unfamiliar convention of time or place, or to the absence of a convention to which we are accustomed, or to the presence of a content which appeals less forcibly to us; we have also considered the effect on the particular music which is under discussion, of the conservatism, the broad expanse, and the climate of India. One more cause of the particular form which this music has taken is to be found in the language of the country; for speech is logically, if not also historically, prior to song. Sanskrit, with an infusion of Persian in the north, and in the south incorporating relics of still older tongues, is the basis of all Indian languages. Its pure resonant vowels and clear-cut consonants present the least possible obstacles to good vocalization. The fact that quantity counts for more than accent in its pronunciation has made metre rather than rhythm the decisive element of musical time. The combination of resonant vowels and a metrical language has led to the development of vocal rather than instrumental music. And since the voice employs equable force of tone rather than violent dynamic changes, its deficiency in this respect has been made good on the drum.