Sanyal (performing arts, Banaras Hindu U., India) and Widdess (music, SOAS U., London) offer a study of probably the oldest of several distinct styles of classical vocal music performed today
in North India. Historically it is linked with the music of Mughal and pre-Mughal times, and with the musical forms of South India, they explain, so it is necessary to understand in order to
understand the history and present practice of musical art in South Asia. They say their approach is in accordance with both Indian and Western traditions of musical scholarship. Most of their
attention is on elements of the music and performance, but they also look at the form's emergence, the transmission of tradition, and revival in the modern world. Annotation 穢2004 Book News,
Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
