Svāmī Haridās and Dhrupad

Abstract

This paper explores the axiomatic connection between the 16th-century poet-musician Svāmī Haridās and the classical Indian musical genre of Dhrupad. Despite a scarcity of historical data, hagiographic accounts consistently praise Haridās's musical prowess, notably portraying him as the teacher of Tānsen, a prominent figure in Akbar's court. The study focuses on the poetical characteristics of Dhrupad as a genre, rather than its musical style. It demonstrates how Haridās's two main works, the devotional Aṣṭādaśa Siddhānt and Kelimāl, align with early Dhrupad definitions, exhibiting an exclusive devotional theme, particularly centered on Krishna and Rādhā's love-sports, and often incorporating rich musical and dance terminology. Furthermore, an analysis of Haridās's Braj Bhāṣā lyrics reveals key structural and prosodic features consistent with Dhrupad texts: a four-line structure, irregular meter, and consistent end-rhyme. This comprehensive textual analysis confirms the traditional classification of Haridās's compositions as Dhrupads, solidifying his pivotal role in the history of this musical form.