Book Details

Harmony and Change the Interplay of Music and Society

Harmony and Change the Interplay of Music and Society

Author(s): Jagpinderpal Singh
Language: English
Format: Single-Component Retail Product (Book)
Year of Publication: 2026
Publisher Name: National Press Associate
ISBN 978-3-96492-730-9
Price Paperback: ₹800.00

About the Book

Music has always been a mirror of human life, capturing our emotions, experiences, and the rhythms of our societies. For centuries, it has been far more than a source of entertainment; it is a medium through which we express joy and sorrow, connect with nature, and communicate our social, religious, and cultural lives. From the earliest times, humans listened to the natural world the calls of birds, the buzzing of bees, the flowing of rivers, the whisper of the wind, and the rustle of trees. These sounds, simple yet profound, inspired the earliest forms of musical expression and shaped the way we began to interpret the world around us. As humans responded to these natural rhythms, we discovered ways to convey our feelings through simple melodies, repeating patterns, and rhythmic sounds. What began as an instinctive response to our surroundings gradually evolved into structured musical expressions. These tunes reflected not only individual emotions but also the collective experiences of communities' celebrations, rituals, festivals, and daily life. In this way, music became a living record of human sentiment, preserving traditions and providing a shared language across generations.

Authors

Jagpinderpal Singh

Jagpinderpal Singh

Jagpinderpal Singh is an accomplished academic, researcher, and educator in the fields of Gurmat Sangeet and Indian Classical Music. He currently serves as Head of the PG Department of Music Vocal and Gurmat Sangeet at Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. With over seventeen years of dedicated teaching and research experience, he has established himself as a committed scholar of Sikh musicology, the raag tradition of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and the wider cultural and spiritual dimensions of Indian music. His academic training includes postgraduate degrees in Gurmat Sangeet and Music (Vocal), reflecting a rare blend of traditional knowledge and formal scholarly inquiry. His research interests span Gurmat Sangeet, Hindustani classical vocal music, music pedagogy, Punjabi folk traditions, and interdisciplinary studies connecting music with society, culture, and spirituality. He is the author of several ISBN-indexed books, including Raag Taal Shastra, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Raag Ratan, Gurmat Sangeet Prabandh, and Bhartiya Sangeet De Sangeetacharya. In addition, he has published research papers in peer reviewed and UGC CARE listed journals and contributed chapters to edited international volumes. His scholarly engagement also includes active participation in national and international conferences, editorial responsibilities, peer review work, and mentorship of students in academic and cultural platforms. In Harmony and Change: The Interplay of Music and Society, Dr. Singh draws upon his extensive academic journey to explore how music functions not only as an artistic expression but also as a social force. The book reflects his sustained effort to understand how musical traditions respond to historical shifts, cultural transformations, and evolving identities. Through thoughtful analysis rooted in both tradition and contemporary scholarship, he highlights music’s enduring role in shaping collective consciousness while adapting to change.

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