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Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound

 
Guy L Beck (Author)
Synopsis

Traditionally Hinduism has appealed to Western eyes though its rich tableau of visual artifacts : Temple architecture, sculpture, painting, craft. Guy Beck argues, however, that the focus of Western scholars on Hinduism's visual component has often been at the expense of the religion's most important feature-its emphasis on sound. Beck addresses this longstanding imbalance in this pathbreaking study. He contends that sound possesses a central place in Hindu theory and practice and that Hinduism is essentially a sonic theology. Unlike religious traditions that emphasize silence, the Hindu world is permeated by sound. Drums, bells, gongs, cymbals, conches, flutes, and an array of vocalizations play a central role in the worship experience. Beck provides a theoretical exposition of the major textual sources of Hindu sacred sound, namely the Vedas, Upanishads, Mimamsa, Grammar, Yoga, Saiva-Agama, Sakta-Tantra, and Vaisnava Pancaratra. From the Vedic Vak as "spoken Word" to the Sabda-Brahman of the Upanishads, Mimamsa, and Grammar, and on to the Nada-Brahman of Yoga, Saivism, Saktism, Vaisnavism, and Indian classical music, Beck argues that sound participates at every level of the Hindu cosmos. He compares the centrality of sound in Hindu theology to its role, or its absence, in other religions. The issues Beck raises about sound and language not only reshape our understanding of Hindu worship but also invite a fresh approach to comparative theology.

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About the author

Guy L Beck

Guy L. Beck is assistant professor of religion at Louisiana State University. After studying vocal classical music in India from 1976-80 and earning a B.A. in Music from Bangiya Sangit Parishad in Calcutta, Beck received an M.A. in Musicology (1986) and a Ph.D. in Religion (1989) from Syracuse University. His current projects include translations of Sanskrit and Bengali hymns and research into North Indian temple music.

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Bibliographic information

Title Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound
Author Guy L Beck
Format Hardcover
Date published: 01.01.1995
Edition Reprint
Language: English
isbn 8120812616
length xvii+290p., Bibliography; Glossary; Index; Notes; 23cm.