Music Related to Epic Ramayana

Music Related to Epic Ramayana
The Ramayana was composed in Sanskrit by the great poet Valmiki. The story of Ramayana describes the life of Rama,who was the son of king Dashratha of Ayodhya Kingdom.It is located in the North of India.Ramayana though an oral epic is musical in form, resembles the normal tradition.In Ramayana it was pathya mode of music making. Rama’s son Kush and Lava sang a narrative song in Rama’s praise at his court accompanied by lute.
There were two kinds of music during the Ramayana period ie ‘Sama’ and ‘Gandharva’. Samagan was performed by Yagyas only.
In the different kandas of Ramayana Indian Music is observed.In Sundarkanda there is a reference of Veena and Vamsa.Veena was of nine strings and it was played by expert.In Kishkindhakanda there is reference of Venu.Conch was frequently blown on auspicious occasions and at the time of wars.There is reference of percussion instruments like Dundubhi, Bheri, Panava, Pataha
and Dimdima. In Kishkindhakanda,there is reference of gana, vadya and nritya.There was also mention of Karna in a
gana being sung to the accompaniment of Veena.
Ayodhya didnot use Bheri, Mridanga and Veena during exile of Rama.
In time of Ramayana it has been observed that vocal music was accompanied by Veena.The Veena was also used by dancer,Lava and Kush son of Rama is used to sing the Ramayana,while playing Veena during the Asvamedha Yagya. Ravana chants his Sama to the music of the Veena.
The occasion was the Asvamedha yagya
which Lord Rama was performing and Lava and Kusa were to sing
Valmiki’s Ramayana.Thus it is seen that in this period the Classical Music was called ‘Samgita’ or
‘Gandharva’.