In this book an attempt has been made to trace the origin and development of violin as a musical instrument throughout the world. The book seeks to establish that the violin originates in Indian in a primitive form in the hands of Ravana, the mighty king of Sri Lanka (Ceylon). It was then known as ravanastram or dhanuryantram. The author sketches, in the narrow compass of the book, a long history of the journey of this instrument covering an equally long period of cross-cultural perspective. From Europe again back to India is the total journey of violin with all its modifications and sophistications. This is the main thesis of this book which the author has successfully worked out.
This constitutes the first part of the long term research which the author undertakes as early as in 2004. The second part is under preparation which covers the practical side about the technique of violin playing as practiced by Hindustani Musicians. It also incorporates some of the author’s own compositions in vocal and instrumental music.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sisirkana Dhar Choudhury
Prof. Sisirkana Dhar Choudhury is distinguished violinist throughout India and abroad. She had her first lesson on the violin and vocal music from Ustad Moti Mian when she was seven years old. Later she received systematic training from renowned violinist Padmabhushan V G Jog from 1952 onwards. Impressed with her talent, Swar Samrat Ali Akbar Khan Sahib accepted her as his pupil in 1956.Few years later, she received musical lessons for a short period from the rarely gifted musician Smt. Annapurna Devi, the worthy daughter of Acharya Baba Allauddin Khan Sahib, Maihar. Pandit Ravi Shankar also spared some few hours from his very busy schedule for imparting lessons to Sisirkana.She started her performing career in Calcutta since 1953. She received talim in Dhrupad and Dhamar from Swar Samrat Ali Akbar Khan Sahib and from renowned musician-scholar Sri Birendra Kishore Roychowdhury, Calcutta around 1960 who have also imparted lessons on musicology. She also received training on musicology from the scholar-musician Acharya T L Rana, Calcutta around 1973.She received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy award in 1997.She plays both violin and viola, and has added a fifth melody string, and several resonating strings, to each. In concert she often plays the alaap (Dhrupad style) on the viola, then switches to the violin.
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