In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

1) Bahirgīta (बहिर्गीत) refers to “instrumental music” played in honour of the gods, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 5. It is also known by the name Nirgīta, when it is played to satisfy the vanity of the Daityas. Accordingly, “This is called the nirgīta to satisfy the vanity of the Daityas while in honour of the gods it is called the bahirgīta... It is called the nirgīta because in it there is sung a combination of sounds carrying no sense, and to satisfy the vanity of the gods it is called the bahirgīta.”

According to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 29, the following are the bahirgītas:

1. Āśrāvaṇā,
2. Ārambha,
3. Yaktrapāṇi,
4. Saṃghoṭanā,
5. Parighaṭṭanā,
6. Mārgāsārita,
7. Līlākṛta,
8. The three kinds of Āsāritas.

Accordingly, “the bahir-gītas are to be applied first in a play by the producers, and all these should be applied without tālas or with tālas, and in the Styles of Procedure called the citra and the vṛtti”.

According to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 33.—“at the end of this (i.e. Trisāma), after following the procedure of the Preliminaries, one should perform the Bahirgītas in three tempos with the drumming which will follow the song in its metre and syllables. At the application of the Āsārita song, one should perform the drumming of the Tattva and Anugata Prakṛti. When after the Trisāma the Pratyāhāra etc. have reached their end, then the drumming is to begin”.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Bahirgīta (बहिर्गीत).—a song accompanied by a stringed instrument.

Derivable forms: bahirgītam (बहिर्गीतम्).

Bahirgīta is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms bahis and gīta (गीत).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Bahirgīta (बहिर्गीत):—[=bahir-gīta] [from bahir > bahis] n. a song accompanied by a stringed instrument, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Bahis, Gita.

Full-text: Lilakrita, Ashravana, Parighattana, Margasarita, Nirgita, Vaktrapani, Arambha, Samghotana, Ekaka, Vivadha, Trisama, Vritta.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Bahirgita, Bahirgīta, Bahis-gita, Bahir-gita, Bahir-gīta, Bahis-gīta; (plurals include: Bahirgitas, Bahirgītas, gitas, gītas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Natyashastra (English) (by Bharata-muni)

Chapter XXIX - On Stringed Instruments (tata)

Chapter V - Preliminaries of a Play (pūrvaraṅga)

Part 2 - The Ancient Indian Theory and Practice of Music < [Introduction, Part 2]

+ 3 more chapters / show preview

Triveni Journal

Hindu Origins of Javanese Music < [January-February 1933]

show preview