Historical Development of Indian Music: A Critical Study c8.49

c8.49

Bharata developed twenty-two *śrutis* or audible subtle notes, based upon the genus-species or *janya-janaka* principle and built the whole system upon the basis of the socalled five microtones, as described by Nārada of the *Śikṣā*. Bharata discoverd the *śrutis*, by the help of two same-sized *Vīṇās*, shiftable and fixed i.e., *cala* and *acala*. The Vedic musical instruments, *kāśyapī* or *kacchapī*, *kṣauṇi*, *kinnarī*, *audumvarī*, *ghoṣakā*, *vāna* or the latter evolved *kātyāyanī* with hundred strings, *picchorā* or *piccholā*, etc. were developed or moulded into new forms. Some of them were replaced by newly devised *Vīṇās* like *Dāravī*, *Gātra*, *Citrā*, *Vipañci*, etc. The practice of flute or pipe (*Veṇu*) survived with its old traditional glory throughout the ages. The Vedic drum was modified to some extent and out of it, the *puṣkara* or *mṛdaṅga* type of drum evolved, which accompanied the *gānas*, *jātirāga*, *grāmarāga*, *dhruvā*, etc. Different kinds of time-measures like *samā*, *srotogatā*, and *gopucchā* evolved with different units or *kalās* like *citrā*, *vārtika*, and *dakṣiṇā*. Other kinds of *jātis* like *viṣama*, *mṛdaṅga*, *pluta* also came into being. The *jātis* used to keep pace with the musical movements.