Sharangadev's Contribution to Music Treatises

The question asks to identify the musician who composed the significant music treatise known as the Sangīta Ratnākara. This ancient text is a foundational work in the study of Indian classical music.

Understanding the Sangīta Ratnākara

The Sangīta Ratnākara, meaning "The Ocean of Music and Dance," is a comprehensive Sanskrit text on Indian musicology and performing arts. It is considered one of the most important and authoritative works from the medieval period.

• It covers aspects of svara (notes), grāma (modes), mūrcchanā (scales), jāti (melodic classifications), rāga (melodies), dhvani (sound), varnanā (elaboration), alaṅkāra (ornamentation), gīti (types of songs), vādya (instruments), and nṛtya (dance).
• The text is divided into seven chapters (Prakaraṇa).

Identifying the Composer: Sharangadev

The renowned composer of the Sangīta Ratnākara was Sharangadev (also spelled Śārṅgadeva).

• Sharangadev was a scholar and musician who lived in the 13th century.
• He composed the Sangīta Ratnākara likely around the year 1210-1247 CE.
• He was associated with the court of the Yadava king Singhana V at Devagiri (present-day Daulatabad, Maharashtra).

Comparing with Other Musicians

Let's briefly look at the other musicians mentioned:

• Amir Khusrau (13th-14th century): A legendary Sufi musician, poet, and scholar. He is credited with developing several forms of Indian music and introducing the Persian ghazal and qawwali to India. He did not compose the Sangīta Ratnākara.
• Tansen (16th century): One of the Navaratnas (nine jewels) in the court of Emperor Akbar. He was a master of Hindustani classical music and is credited with creating many ragas. He lived centuries after the Sangīta Ratnākara was written.
• Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (19th century): The Maharaja of Travancore, known for his prolific compositions in both Carnatic and Hindustani music traditions. He was a patron of arts and a composer himself, but lived much later than Sharangadev.

Conclusion

Based on historical and musicological evidence, Sharangadev is the composer of the Sangīta Ratnākara.