International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Śaṅkarī Music and Other Classical Music of India: A Comparative Study

Abstract During the Neo-Vaiṣṇavite movement in Assam, Śrīmanta Śaṅkaradeva and Mᾱdhavdeva founded the sacred practice of Śaṅkarī music, which has great cultural and spiritual significance. Hindustani and Carnatic music are two of India's major classical music traditions that are tried to compare in this paper with Śaṅkarī music of Assam, which is mainly conveyed through Bargīta. In contrast to Hindustani and Carnatic music's highly structured and technically intricate arrangements, Śaṅkarī music compositions like Bargīta, Aṅkīyᾱ gīta etc. prioritize accessibility, simplicity, and group participations. The results demonstrate how Śaṅkarī music functions as a tool for social change and identity development in Assamese society in addition to being a regional adaption of Indian classical ideas. This comparative research illustrates the diversity of Indian musical heritage and the contribution of regional religious movements to its enrichment by placing Śaṅkarī music within the larger context of Indian classical traditions. Keywords-- Śaṅkarī, Neo-Vaiṣṇavite, Bargīta, Aṅkīyᾱ gīta.