অথর্ববেদে উদ্ধৃত নৃত্য-গীত-বাদ্যকলা : এক বিশ্লেষণাত্মক দৃষ্টি/ Dance-Song-Music as Cited in the Atharvaveda: An Analytical Perspective

Abstract

The Atharva Veda, one of the Vedas, has one of its own characteristics. Its subject matter is different from that of other Vedas. The Rig Veda gives a direct glimpse of the social situation of our culture. The main theme of the Yajurveda is ritual. The subject of the Samaveda is singing. It contains a collection of Vedic mantras sung on the occasion of sacrifices. The subject of the Atharva Veda is quite different from these three. The other three Vedas are closely related to sacrifices but the Atharva Veda does not contain mantras on sacrifices. That is why the three Vedas are sometimes referred to as 'Vedatrayi' for distinction. The Atharva Veda contains presentations of secular subjects along with Vedic subjects.

A rich art tradition can be found around the world from prehistoric times to the present day. The numerous forms of art which are scattered here and there on the earth in the form of patterns of architectural paintings and games or are established in human life in the form of instruments, dances, songs, etc. They embody the elements of joyfulness, auspiciousness and beauty. Our ancient Vedic literature has also done the work of preserving the thousands of years old great treasures of Indian art which are not preserved in the present art monuments. The Atharva Veda, the world’s earliest text, is also the oldest patron of art and beauty.