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" 22 Shrutis of the Indian Classical music are the fundamental pillars of the Saptak and they provide the principal notes to be used as a basis in Raga-Sangeet. Known for ages, they have been passed down over generations by our great Guru-Shishya Parampara. However, not many had succeeded in deciphering the mathematical principles behind the 22 Shrutis along with their emerging precise locations.

This is a book on microtones (shrutis) in Indian music. It brings to light those microtones in mathematical terms, and also reiterates and reinforces the concept of shruti given in ancient treatises on music by Bharat Muni and others. The ancient sage-musicologists expressed shrutis as additive. In this book the same shrutis, as well as the same number, 22, of shrutis, are derived in terms of simple ratios. Of course, this has always been the practice adopted by the Western musicologists. However, Dr. Vidyadharji, in this book, uses this concept not only to derive the number of shrutis, but also shows us why that number is 22. He also shows us how to play those shrutis on a string, and on the keyboard.

The book shows how the three kinds of shruti, namely, Poorna shruti, Pramana shruti, and Nyoona shruti, are derived. Also briefly mentioned are the differences in shrutis in Hindustani and Karnatic classical styles of music. In the book, a comparison has been brought out between the shrutis and Pythagorean and Ptolemic commas. The shrutis have been derived through pancham samvad and madhyam samvad.

And, finally, Dr. Oke has provided in his book the guidelines for the use of shrutis as swaras (notes) in various ragas. This shows the importance and significance of using the concept of shruti in the Indian classical music of today. "

Note : This article was published by Pandit Haresh Bakshi on the website : www.soundofindia.com on Feb. 3, 2008.