This is a scholarly work and invaluable source for the Westerner interested in North Indian music. The reader has to be able to read Western music to enjoy the book fully. Well classified and arranged, with great foot notes and index, this out-of-print book has been serving as a remarkable reference source for over four decades.

The Introduction is very interesting, with descriptions of the groups, concepts and components of ragas, extra-musical considerations, ornaments, and proper performance times according to the Vedic traditions of ritual chant and music.

The book is elaborate and professional, and yet user-friendly with the help of an English-Sanskrit dictionary and a North Indian music dictionary.

Remarkable work by a genius. ( )