Diese Lehrveranstaltung findet im Rahmen einer Kooperation mit Dr. Lalitha Muthuswamy (Chennai Music Center) und dem Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) statt. Die Seminarsprache ist Englisch.

Music and spirituality are intricately related, with spirituality often being the inspiration for the creation of music, and music so often creating the desired atmosphere for a spiritual occasion. Carnatic music also has a strong spiritual dimension, with many compositions dedicated to the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. The lyrics of these compositions often draw from ancient Sanskrit texts, with themes of devotion, love, and spirituality. Carnatic Music is often regarded as a tool to reach a higher level of consciousness.
This course will examine the function of music in relation to spirituality and examine the relationship between music, religion and spirituality with special reference to Carnatic Music. Topics will include the role, style, and formation of music in Hindu religion. The course will focus on the chants and discuss about different other musical forms through which these devotional practices are undertaken.