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Synopsis Celebrated as the most authoritative reference on South Indian classical music, the Companion provides an overview of the historical and cultural contexts of the music, its forms, instruments, composers, leading practitioners, and schools.

Fully cross-referenced, the Companion describes and assesses the musical conventions, instrumental music, intonation, embellishment, and tala and rhythm among a host of other topics, and includes detailed biographical notes on composers and musicians. The highly accessible and insightful Preface provides a broad outline of the subject and sensitizes readers to the intricacies of Carnatic music.

Ludwig Pesch is regarded as an authority on South Indian classical music. Trained at Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts, Chennai, he has performed both with his guru, the late H. Ramachandra Shastry, and solo.