UPPCS (Pre) 2021

Indian Musicology

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: **List-I (Text)** A. Ragamala B. Rasa Kaumudi C. Raga Vibodh D. Chaturdandi Prakash **List-II (Author)** 1. Somanath 2. Venkatraman 3. Pundrik Vitthal 4. Sri Kantha

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Medieval India witnessed a surge in musicological literature that codified Raga systems and introduced theoretical frameworks for both Hindustani and Carnatic traditions.

Explanation Key works include Pundrik Vitthal’s Ragamala, which classified ragas using a family-based system, and Venkatraman’s Chaturdandi Prakashika, which laid the foundation for the Carnatic Melakarta system.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: A-3 (Ragamala - Pundrik Vitthal): A Sanskrit work commissioned by Raja Mansingh using the family-raga-system.
Logic 2: B-4 (Rasa Kaumudi - Sri Kantha): Focuses on music, dance, and royal conduct.
Logic 3: C-1 (Raga Vibodh - Somanath): Notable for describing various types of Veenas and the Thata-Raga system.
Logic 4: D-2 (Chaturdandi Prakash - Venkatraman): Introduced the 72 Melakarta scheme essential to Carnatic music.

Active Recall

Question

What is the significance of the Chaturdandi Prakashika?

Answer

It revolutionized Carnatic music by organizing all possible scales into the 72 Melakarta (parent scale) system.

Core Insight

These texts prove that medieval Indian music was a highly scientific discipline with sophisticated mathematical underpinnings for scale classification.