Just like other subjects, Indian Music is taught in most of the schools, colleges and universities in India. In J & K State we have a good number of qualified music teachers, adept musicians, singers and instrumentalists who by their excellent performance, reputation and good work have brought laurels to the State. Nevertheless, in spite of the disturbed conditions prevailing in the valley for the last more than two decades, the bond of music between the musicians of various communities in our State has stood the test of time, and nurtured well. The ongoing disturbed conditions have not deterred young musicians of the valley to play their positive as also constructive role in propagation of music both in theory and practice.
Some months back, during my visit to Srinagar in connection with my official duty, I got an opportunity to meet my friend M. A. Lala; and during our conversation relating to the music activities, he pointed out that due to the ongoing disturbances, a void had been created here in the field of music as no proper guidance and coaching in the field of music was now available. Added to this was one more difficulty that on the subject of music there was no comprehensive book available in Urdu language which could benefit the music lovers and this shortcoming haunted him badly. Against this back drop Lala undertook deep and critical study of whatsoever material on music subject was available in the market and in various libraries in the State and outside also, and after great pains authored and brought out this publication titled Kitab-ul-Mosiqui which he has rightfully dedicated to his mother and his revered teacher Kaka Ji Safya, a close friend of mine, presently residing in Mumbai.
It is an established fact that not so many books have been written on Indian Music in Urdu language which covers both its historical and evolutionary aspects from the age old Vedic times to the modern era. A special importance of the present book under review is that it has been authored by a well known Kashmiri musician known to me right from his upbringing in the field of music. And he has rightfully included a chapter relating to the Kashmiri Sufiyana Music and Iranian Music in this book which is thought provoking and may act as a stimulus for the learned musicians of the valley to trace the origin and legacy of Kashmiri Sufiyana Music through credible research.
The first chapter of the book traces the history of music in Kashmir with adequate coverage of the material emanating from the Nilmat Paraná which even today is considered as most dependable manuscript relating to the history of Kashmir. This chapter in the book pertaining to the history of music in Kashmir would have been incomplete without mentioning the historical development and evolution of Indian music since pre-historic times, right up to post independence period, and this aspect has been taken care of nicely by the author in his book and I am sure that anybody interested in music will have no difficulty in understanding and grasping the finer elements of gradual transition and evolution of Indian Music in its present day form.
The present book written by M A Lala covers all the important theoretical aspects of the Indian Music like Musical notes, concept of Shruti, Chatu Sarna, Rag Ragni system, Musical scales, Time theory of Ragas, Gharanas of Indian Music, North and South Indian Music, Notation system of Indian Music etc. with adequate illustrations which make it a worth reading book. Every care has been taken by the author to bring out the actual meaning of some of the technical terms being used in Indian Music, with par excellence. In the transcription into Urdu of some of the technical terms of Indian Music, the author primarily has relied upon the English version of these technical terms as against the original Sanskrit/Hindi version as a result of which some minor transcription mistakes do find place in the book at a very few places which could be set right by the author in the next edition. This comprehensive book in Urdu language on Indian Music written by Lala, I am sure will definitely be well received in the Music circles both within our State and outside also. This book deserves to be read by all the lovers of Music and can serve as a dependable reference book for the students of music in schools, colleges or university. It could also be of valuable acquisition for the Government libraries in our State and for all the educational institutions. 
                                            
(M.K.Raina is a violinist and music expert. He can be reached at E.Mail-mkraina51@yahoo.co.in )

Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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