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PAKHAWAJ & TABLA : History , Schools and Traditions by Aban E. Mistry, Mumbai, Pt. Keki S. Jijina (Swar Sadhana Samiti, Mumbai), 1999, xviii+355pp, Charts (Familial and Disciple Heritage), Bibl, Hb, Rs. 1000.00 ; US$ 30.00
Translated by Yasmin E. Tarapore, from original book in Hindi, entitled, Pakhavaj Aur Tabla ke Gharane Evans Paramparaye.
The book under review has been written by Dr. Aban E. Mistry, an all-round musician of great repute. She is both a performer and a teacher par excellence.
The book is in two parts. The First part exclusively deals with Pakhawaj and its relevant facts ; the Second part has been entirely devoted to Tabla and its allied concepts.
The first chapter of the First part opens with a commentary on the historical aspects of music and musicians in general and has analysed the ups and downs which art and artist had to face during the ruling dynasty. She very correctly says that the origin of Gharanas cannot be exactly pin-pointed about the exact period of its inception. To prove her point she has referred to the opinions of other writers as well, plus logical and historical proofs. She has also very authentically analysed the evolution of Gharanas of music and its preceptors and also the influence on music and gharanas during the Hindu and the Muslim rulers together with the culture of the past. The Second chapter begins with a study of the inception, progress and formation of Mridang. The way she has clarified the differnce between Mridang and Pakhwaj with the help of historical data gives testimony to her deep study of the subject.
The third chapter deals with the gharanas and heritage of Pakhawaj. The writer is right in saying that Pakhawaj/Mridang was used to give accompainment to all types of our ancient music. She has also given names of many players/artists who formed a reputed lot of those times. Lala Bhavanidas was certainely the pioneer of this instrument. The heritage of Pakhawaj as described 'by the writer is basically and historically correct. Chapter 4 entirely deals with Jaawli gharana. A detailed study has been...