Page:The Music of India.djvu/32

 Deccan they took back with them to the North many of the most famous Southern musicians, in the same way that they took toll of the Indian architects and sculptors for their new buildings.

The Ragataraiigini, composed by Lochanakavi, probably belongs to this period. The major portion of this work is devoted to the discussion of a number of songs by a poet named Vidyapati, who flourished in the fifteenth century at the court of Raja Siva Singh of Tirhut. The author also describes the current musical theories of his day and groups the ragas under twelve thats or fundamental modes.

The development of the bhakti revival in North India and Bengal under Chaitanya (a.d. 1485-1533) was accompanied by a great deal of musical activity, and it was at this time that the popular musical performances, known as Sankirtan and Nagarkirtan were first started.

The Emperor Akbar (a.d. 1542-1605) was a fervent lover of music and did much for its development. During his reign ragas were considerably modified under foreign influence and, though some of these modifications transgressed the established practice, they were on the whole to the advantage of music and helped to give to Northern music some of its more pleasing characteristics. Durbari or chamber music was introduced in the time of Akbar, and from that time developed side by side with the music of the temple and the drama.

Haridas Swami was a great Hindu saint and musician who lived at Brindaban, the centre of the Krishna cult on the banks of the Jumna, in Akbar's reign. He was considered one of the greatest musicians of his time. Tan Sen, the celebrated singer of Akbar's court, was one of his pupils. Many interesting stories are told of Tan Sen, whose name is still fragrant throughout India and 'like whom there has been no singer for a thousand years.' One of these tells how the Emperor after one of his performances asked him if there was anyone in the world who could sing like him. Tan Sen replied that there was one who far surpassed him. At once the Emperor was all anxiety to hear this other singer and when told that he