<Special Feature “The Encounter with Religious Others through Music and Musician in the Islamic World”>A Comparative Study of Persian and Indian Rhythm Theory: Based on the Tarāna-yi Surūr --an 18th Century Kashmīrī Manuscript

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the interaction between the Persian and Indian rhythm theory as envisaged in the Tarāna-yi Surūr --a Kashmīrī manuscript from the 18th century. No comprehensive research on this manuscript is available although it encompasses several important traits of the interactions between the Persian and Indian music traditions. Especially, we can see many evolvements of the Indian rhythm theory which had been influenced with Persian music during the 18th century. This study considers Tarāna-yi Surūr as a representation of the north Indian and regional Kashmīrī music. It aims to examine the connection between the current Hindustānī music and obsolete 18th century music theory. I analysed the various rhythm cycles that appear in this manuscript. The categorisation of these rhythm cycles is unique and different from the previous Sanskrit or Persian rhythm cycle category applied in the other manuscripts. I attempted to bring about a theoretical coherence in this categorisation.