The Music Of India

The Music of India

by Reginald & Jamila Massey


The classical music of the India-Pakistan-Bangladesh subcontinent is one of the few ancient art forms still widely practised today. In recent years it has been much appreciated all over the world. This book, written by Indian writers, serves to deepen that appreciation to understanding. It covers the philosophy and history of Indian music clearly and history of Indian music clearly and concisely and relates its growth and development to social, cultural, religious and political factors. India's musical contacts with the East and the West are also discussed and their value assessed.

The Technical chapters explain the raga and tala systems, the numerous instruments from north and south are described in detail with the help of excellent line drawings by Eilean Pearcey, and the glossary of terms illumines the subject in an interesting way. Short biographies of established musicians, composers and musicologists place on record their various achievements, Apart from a selective bibliography and discography for the reader's guidance there is also a list of useful addresses.

The Music of India will prove invaluable to the student and specialist who requires a ready handbook on the subject. For the general on the musical life of an entire subcontinent.


Ravi Shankar, in his Foreword, recommends this book to all who wish to be introduced to India's music, her culture and her peoples.


This is a work of scholarship; lively, at times even witty and never dull.

About The Author :


Reginald Massey, poet, writer and critic, has studied Indian music and dance for many years and has written on these subjects for The Times, The Guardian, Tje Musical Times, Music and Musicians, The Illustrated Weekly of India and other journals. He has written the Indian music entry for Everyman,s Encyclopedia of Dance and Ballet. He is a Dancing Times critic and The Dance of India which he and his wife have co-authored, is a recognized work in the literature of dance.

He Writes film and television scripts.

A fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, He is listed in many international writers' directories and biographical dictionaries.

Jamila Massey, actress and writer, was educated at London University's King's College. Deeply interested and involved in music, she has introduced several Indian musicians and dancers to audiences in the West. She and her husband have collaborated on a novel, The Immigrants, which is set in India, Pakistan and the United Kingdom.


reginald and Jamila Massey constitute a formidable husband and wife creative partnership.