South Asia is quickly emerging as an area of significant global importance. Although economics and geo-politics have been at the forefront of this newfound interest, art and music have often played a critical role in the cultural discourse between the world's diverse nations. From the pioneering collaborative work of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar to A.R. Rahman's recent groundbreaking Bombay Dreams, Indian music has always been a locus for fostering cross-cultural dialogue.

South Asia boasts one of the world's most diverse and rich musical heritages, covering several traditional folk music genres as well as two highly developed and refined classical music traditions. A strong foundation in this important area of world music now seems essential to any well rounded music program or South Asian studies program.

Music of India is a comprehensive college level survey course that covers the vast and varied musical traditions of South Asia with a strong emphasis on the classical music traditions of North and South India (Hindustani and Karnatak music). The course provides a socio-historical approach to understanding South Asian music, beginning with Vedic civilization and moving all the way to contemporary performance practices. Although originally designed as a six week intensive course, Music of India is equivalent to semester long four unit class (see 15 week semester syllabus below). It can also be expanded into a two-semester class to allow for more in-depth treatment of the material.

Lectures are supplemented with weekly writing assignments as well as directed readings from an extensive body of primary as well as secondary literature. In-class singing and rhythmic exercises along with instructor-guided listening sessions round out the interactive nature of the class.

Ruckert, George E. Music in North India: Experiencing music, expressing culture. Oxford University Press, 2004.

Viswanathan, T. and Allen, Matthew Harp. Music in South India: the Karnatak concert tradition and beyond : Experiencing music, expressing culture. Oxford University Press, 2004.

Bagchee, Sandeep. Nad: Understanding Raga Music. New Delhi: BPI (India) PVT, Ltd., 1998.

Bakhle, Janaki. Two men and Music: Nationalism in the making of an Indian classical tradition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.

Coward, Harold G. and Goa, David. Mantra: Hearing the Divine in India. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996.

Deshpande, Vamanrao H. Between two tanpuras. Bombay: Popular Prakashan, 1989.

Kippen, James. The tabla of Lucknow : a cultural analysis of a musical tradition. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1988.

Miner, Allyn. Sitar and Sarod in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Wilhelmshaven: F. Noetzel, 1993.

Neuman, Daniel M. The life of music in North India: the organization of an artistic tradition. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1980.

Sambamoorthy, P. South Indian Music (6th edition). Madras: Indian Music Publishing House, 1958.

Shankar, Ravi. My Music, My Life. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1968.

Wade, Bonnie C. Khyal: Creativity within North India's classical music tradition. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1985.

Natya Sastra of Bharata

Brhad-deshi of Matanga

Sangita-ratnakara of Sarangadeva

Sangita-makaranda of Narada

Gita Govinda of Jayadeva

Hindustani sangeet paddhati of Bhatkhande