A History of Sanskrit Literature c31.s5.10

c31.s5.10

On music we have, beside the important if obscure information given in the *Nāṭyaçāstra*, much late literature, which deals comprehensively with the whole topic, the kindred subject of singing, arrangements for concerts and so forth. These include the *Saṅgītaratnākara*¹ of Çārṅgadeva (13th cent.), and the *Saṅgī-tadarpaṇa*² of Dāmodara which follows it with additional matter derived from other sources. The late *Rāgavibodha*³ of Soma-nātha (1609) deals with Rāgas, musical modes, and includes fifty pieces of the author’s own composition for the lute with notation. Our knowledge, however, of Indian music in the earlier period is limited.⁴