Namaste
MUSICIAL ICONOGRAPHY:
Many specimens of musical iconography and dance iconography are found in the temples of South India. In Tanjore district, Tirukkodikaval temple, a scene depicting a victorious army being welcomed by a band of musicians, dancers and performers on Kolattam is depicted. Musical iconography will have all the music depicted in temples and stones.
The Kudimiyanmalai music inscription will come under the heading of musical epigraphy.
This inscription belongs to the 7th centrury A.D.
It establishes beyond doubt that the Indian solfa system Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni is the oldest in the history of world music.
The European solfa sytem Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si dates only from the time of Guido d” Arezzo of 10th Century.
The series of sculptures depicting music parties give us details relating to the number that constituted a concert party, their plan of sitting and standing, the number of accompaniments used, the number of strings in the stringed instruments, the postures in which the instruments were held and played and many other factors relating to musicology and instrumentation.
— to be continued.
PROF. V.MEENAKSHI JAYAKUMAR