Glossary

alap

"The introductory section of a musical performance. In the instrumental style it consists of three major parts, the first one of which is also called alap, and characterized by free rhythm." (Neuman 270)

bhakti

The devotion and adoration of God. The complete submission of the self to God.

bhava

Sub-categories of each rasa.

bin

"The North Indian stick zither. It is considered the most ancient and revered of musical instruments in India." (Neuman 271)

dhrupad

"The oldest extant form of classical music in North India." (Neuman 272)

drut

"The fast movement in a performance." (Neuman 272)

gat

"A set instrumental composition fit to a particular rhythmic cycle." (Neuman 272)

gayyaki

"Vocal style, with reference to instrumental styles imitating vocal performance style." (Neuman 272)

gharana

"Lit., "of the house." Family tradition; a stylistic school and/or members of that school." (Neuman 272)

guru

"Master, teacher, preceptor." (Neuman 272)

karuna

This rasa is "pathetic, tearful, sad, expressing extreme loneliness and longing for either god or lover." (Shankar 26)

mehfil

"An intimate gathering for performance of and listening to music" (Neuman 274)

raga

A scalar-melody, that is "A continuum with scale and tune as its extremes." (Powers 98) It is characterized by scale and modal prescriptions such as pitch ranking, characteristic ascent and descent patterns, motives, use of ornaments, performance time, and emotional character. (Randel 680)

rasa

"The affective state generated by an aesthetic performance." (Neuman 275)

samosa

A savory, stuffed, deep fried Indian pastry.

sarod

"Unfretted, long-necked lute." (Neuman 275)

shant

This rasa is "peace, tranquility, and relaxation." (Shankar 27)

shishya

"Pupil, disciple." (Neuman 276)

sitar

"A fretted, long-necked lute." (Neuman 276)

tabla

"The set of two drums, called dayan for the right hand and bayan for the left. The dayan is tuned to the ground note (sa) and the bayan is not tuned. Tabla is also used to refer to the dayan only." (Neuman 276)

ustad

"Master. Used as a respectful form of address (ustadji) or reference and as an honorific for Muslim musicians. (Neuman 276)