List of Famous Treatises of Indian Classic Music

The roots of Indian Classical Music can be traced back to the millennium before the Christ. It is classified into two schools- Hindustani or North Indian School and Carnatic or South Indian School. But the basis of both schools is Natyashashtri of Bharat Muni (important scripture on Indian Classical Music) which was compiled between 200 BC- 400 AD.

From ancient times to till date, Indian music is broadly divided into Margi and Desi. The literal meaning Margi music is ‘music of the path’ whereas Desi Music means ‘to please the hearts of men’.

Origin of Indian Music

Vedas provided the evidence that the music was being practiced in the ancient India. Rigveda describes the music to be means of entertainment of the Aryan. Yajurveda mentions of the people who practiced music as a profession.  Samveda contains directions for singing and recital of mantras.

Comparison between Hindustani Music and Carnatic music

Famous Treatises of Classic Music

1. Sangeet Tarang

Composer: Radhamohan Sen

2. Raag Bodh

Composer: Somnath

3. Shringar Prakash

Composer: Raja Bhoja

4. Nari Siksha

Composer: Narad

5. Sangeet Samay Saar

Composer: Parshva Deva

6. Lochan Teeka

Composer: Abhinav Gupta

7. Sangeet Makarand

Composer: Narad

Puppetry Traditions of Indian States

8. Shruti Bhaskar

Composer: Bhava Bhatta

9. Abhilashitarth Chintamani

Composer: Chalukya King Someshwara

10. Sangeet Ratnakar

Composer: Sharang Deva

11. Rasik Priya

Composer: Mewar king Rana Kumbha

12. Mankutuh

Composer: Gwalior King Man Singh Tomar

13. Persian translation of Raga Darpan

Composer: Fakir Ullah

14. Sangeet Ratnakar Tika

Composer: Kallinath

Famous Traditional Dramas or Theatres of India

15. Sangeet Darpan

Composer: Damodar Mishra

16. Abhinav Bharti

Composer: Abhinav Gupta

17. Narottam Vilas

Composer: Narahari Chakravarti

18. Swarmeel Kalanidhi

Composer: Narad

19. Geet Govinda

Composer: Jaideva

20. Sringar Haar

Composer: Shaman King Hammir Dev

21. Sangeet Raj

Composer: Mewar King Rana Kumbha

The Indian classical music has two foundational elements, raga and tala. The raga forms the fabric of a melodic structure, while the tala measures the time cycle.

Which Indian languages are accorded the status of a Classical Languages in India?