Madhyamasvara, Madhyama-svara: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Madhyamasvara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Madhyamasvara (मध्यमस्वर) is another name for madhyama: one of the three svaras (notes) used in Indian music.—Illustration of the madhyama according to 15th century art.—The colour of the body of madhyama-svara is yellow like gold. He has four hands. His upper right hand is in the varada-mudrā; and lotus is in his left hand; in lower right hand there is a jar (kalaśa) and in the left hand a vīṇā (Indian lute). His vehicle is a Krauñca bird. The colour of his scarf is green with a black design and the colour of the lower garment is rosy with a red design.
The illustrations (of, for example Madhyamasvara) are found scattered throughout ancient Jain manuscripts from Gujarat. The descriptions of these illustrations of this citrāvalī are based on the ślokas of Vācanācārya Gaṇi Sudhākalaśa’s Saṅgītopaniṣatsāroddhāra (14th century) and Śārṅgadeva’s Saṅgītaratnākara (13th century).
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
Gitashastra (science of music)
Madhyamasvara (मध्यमस्वर) refers to one of the seven Svaras which is mapped to the Vedic Dvitīyasvara, according to the Kohalamatam, one of the works ascribed to Kohala—a celebrated authority of the ancient period along with others such as Bharata, Yāṣṭika, Śārdūla, Kāśyapa etc.—Kohalamatam has dealt with the aspect of svara in great detail. It also refers to the Vedic origin of svaras. The list of Laukikasvaras (=seven notes) has been mapped with corresponding Vaidikasvaras (=Vedic svaras)—For example, Madhyamasvara has been mapped to the Vedic Dvitīyasvara. Note: The Nāradīyā-śikṣā presents a very different scheme. Here Madhyamasvara is mapped to the Vedic Prathamasvara. Moreover, the Nāradīyā-śikṣā presents the notes in the order of the sāman scale viz.—ma, ga, ri, sa, dha, ni, pa—whereas in Kohalamatam we find a straight delineation of the svaras.
Gitashastra (गीतशास्त्र, gītaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of Music (gita or samgita), which is traditionally divided in Vocal music, Instrumental music and Dance (under the jurisdiction of music). The different elements and technical terms are explained in a wide range of (often Sanskrit) literature.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Madhyamasvara (मध्यमस्वर).—[masculine] the middle sound (dominant).
1) Madhyamasvara (मध्यमस्वर):—[=madhyama-svara] [from madhyama > madhya] m. the middle or dominant note, [Mālavikāgnimitra i, 21]
2) [v.s. ...] mfn. spoken in a m° tone (not too loud and not too low), [Rāmāyaṇa]
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 (+0): Svara, Madhyama.
Full-text (+0): Madhyama, Prathama, Grama, Dvitiya, Prithivi, Dvitiyasvara, Upahita, Shruti, Prathamasvara.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Madhyamasvara, Madhyama-svara; (plurals include: Madhyamasvaras, svaras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Indian Antiquary (a journal of oriental research) (by Jas Burgess)
Nijaguna’s notes on Indian music < [Volume 3 (1874)]
Arts in the Puranas (study) (by Meena Devadatta Jeste)
2. History of Music from the Vedic period < [Chapter 1 - Music in the Puranas]
Narada Purana (English translation) (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 50 - The arrangement of Notes (Svaras) and Syllables (Varṇas) < [Part 2 - Pūrva-bhāga: Dvitīya-pāda]