In a remarkable testament to India’s rich cultural legacy, the Manasollasa, authored by Chalukyan king Someshvara III in the 12th century CE, is being celebrated as the first medieval treatise on music. This encyclopaedic Sanskrit text, composed in the Karnataka region, features over 2,500 verses dedicated solely to the art and science of music.
King Someshvara III, known for his scholarly pursuits alongside his administrative acumen, penned the Manasollasa (meaning “Delight of the Mind”) as a comprehensive guide on a wide array of subjects—ranging from architecture, food, and painting to governance, rituals, and performing arts. Among its most distinguished sections is the chapter on music, which is not only the largest in the treatise but also the earliest known comprehensive documentation of medieval Indian music traditions.
The musical segment of Manasollasa offers rare insights into:
- Musical instruments of the era
- Singing techniques and voice training
- Performance practices in courts and temples
- Theory of ragas and talas (melodic and rhythmic frameworks)
- Roles of musicians and dancers in society
Historians and musicologists regard the Manasollasa as a foundational text in Indian musicology, bridging ancient traditions and medieval practices. It predates many later classical treatises and serves as crucial evidence of the intellectual and artistic sophistication of the Chalukya dynasty.
This monumental work continues to influence scholars, musicians, and cultural historians, reaffirming India’s status as a cradle of profound musical and literary heritage.
