ABSTRACT
Gurudev began his book with an explanation of the differences between the pakhavaj and the tabla, how to tune them, a description of the drum strokes for each with the help of some notational diagrams, and a list of the symbols used in his notations that modify fingering and technique. The ‘necessary revisions’ were not meant to apply to the descriptions of strokes or the pieces Gurudev had written but rather to the inclusion of more ‘knowledge’ – that is, theory – and the need for a new method of writing the music. Vinayakrao’s Hindi in the second edition is generally more varied in construction and more sophisticated in its vocabulary, grammar and spelling. Apparently there was no special occasion, such as an anniversary or event connected to the lives of either Gurudev or Vinayakrao. Sudha Patwardhan, Vinayakrao’s daughter-in-law, claims that it was merely because copies were unavailable.
