Indian Musicology

Matching Medieval Music Texts: Ragamala to Raga Vibodh

Pundrik Vitthal authored Ragamala, Sri Kantha wrote Rasa Kaumudi, Somanath authored Raga Vibodh, and Venkatraman wrote the influential Chaturdandi Prakashika.

Primary Reference: Standard Educational Reference

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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

[UPPCS (Pre) 2021]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


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

Authentic Source Evidence

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.

Analytical Breakdown


  • 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.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "What is the significance of the Chaturdandi Prakashika?"

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

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

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

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