The Life of Music in South India

T. Sankaran's book explores the 20th-century classical music culture of South India, offering insights into the cultural and social matrix, caste politics, and the role of women in the music industry. It is based on Sankaran's experiences and includes rare archival photos.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Wesleyan University Press

This book provides a comprehensive and insightful overview of Carnatic music culture in South India during the 20th century. Drawing on the expertise of T. Sankaran, a musician who was raised in an illustrious non-Brahmin devadasi family and has had a long affiliation with cultural institutions such as All India Radio (AIR) and the Tamil Isai Sangam (Tamil Music Academy), the author offers a detailed account of the cultural and social matrix in which Carnatic music was cultivated and consumed in mid-twentieth century India.

Sankaran delves into the complex dynamics of caste politics and the double standard that existed for male and female musicians in the Carnatic music scene. He explores how musicians navigated these challenges and the impact that these dynamics had on their careers and personal lives. The memoir also provides valuable insight into the workings of AIR as a modern, bureaucratic institution and how the opening of government music colleges interacted with caste politics and the increased participation of women in public performance.

The book is characterized by its polyvocal nature, as Sankaran's writing is interwoven with passages from Daniel Neuman's book The Life of Music in North India, which inspired Sankaran's project. Additionally, transcripts from interviews with Sankaran by Matthew Allen are included, adding further depth and perspective to the narrative. Rare archival photos are also included, providing a visual glimpse into the history and evolution of Carnatic music culture.

Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the rich and complex history of Carnatic music in South India during the 20th century. It offers a deep understanding of the cultural, social, and political factors that shaped this musical tradition and provides a glimpse into the lives and careers of the musicians who contributed to its development.

Weight: 352g
Dimension: 227 x 153 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780819500748