Previous Year Question

A. Ragamala — Pundarika Vitthala (3). Pundarika Vitthala was a prominent Indian musicologist of the 16th century. He composed Ragamala in 1576 CE. The treatise describes the classification of ragas and their musical characteristics within the North Indian musical tradition. His other important works include Ragamanjari, Sadragachandrodaya, and Nartananirnaya.

B. Rasakaumudi — Srikantha (4). Srikantha was a 16th-century musicologist who composed Rasakaumudi. The treatise discusses theoretical aspects of Indian music, the classification of ragas, and the relationship between music and rasa. Srikantha attempted to organise various ragas according to the Mela system. The work is an important source for studying medieval Indian musicology.

C. Ragavibodha — Somanatha (1). Somanatha composed Ragavibodha around 1609 CE. Written in Sanskrit, the treatise consists of five chapters and approximately 470 verses. It provides a detailed explanation of shruti, swara, veena, mela, and the characteristics and classification of ragas. The work is significant for understanding the historical development of North Indian and South Indian musical traditions.

D. Chaturdandi Prakashika — Venkatamakhin (2). Venkatamakhin was a renowned South Indian musicologist of the 17th century. He composed Chaturdandi Prakashika around 1660 CE. The treatise presents the theoretical classification of ragas in Carnatic music and develops the 72 Mela System. This system subsequently became the foundation for the development of the Melakarta raga system in Carnatic music. The question lists the author's name as 'Venkatraman', whereas the established musicological name is Venkatamakhin.