Saman Chants: In Theory and Present Practice

The word sam is explained in the Vedic literature as consisting of two words namely sa and ama.  Atharvaveda states–I am ama and thou art sa (i.e. e rc).  Sayana explains-‘ Sa indicates rc, ama indicates the svara connected with it, which is of the nature of the expanse of the musical notes sadja, rsabha etc.  The Saman is to be understood as the musical rendering of the rc.  The word Saman occurs in the Rgveda in the sense of a chant sung (by the Udgatr).  The present book deals with the theory and present practice of Saman chanting.  The author has traveled through the various part of the South and North India and recorded the chanting of some Samans indicative of the significant manner of each school.  The chantings are included in the cassette accompanying the book.