Music
The earliest tradition of Indian music may be traced to Sama Veda which contained the slokas that were put to music. Chanting of Vedic hymns with prescribed pitch and accent still form a part of religious rituals.
- The earliest text dealing exclusively with performing arts is Bharata’s Natyashashtra (compiled between second century BC and second century AD) which has six chapters on music. Another major text is Matanga’s ‘Brihaddesi’ compiled between eight and ninth century AD.
- Many rulers such as Samudragupta, King Bhoja of Dhara and King Someshavra of Kalyana patronised music.
- Similarly, in the medieval period the Sufi and Bhakti saints ....