Prof. Sambamurthy has done yeoman service in the field of musicology by writing innumerable books on a variety of subjects. In fact, he has dealt with so many dimensions of music not thought of by any other writer. In this context, Sambamurthy also started the monumental work of preparing a dictionary for South Indian Music but he could not get to complete it. For many years, this work was in a stand still and it was the earnest efforts of Dr.M.B.Vedavalli, Professor and former Head of the Department of Indian Music that has brought this work to a completion. The last volume from alphabet T –Z contains 789 terms.  The list of words under the above letters was prepared on the 42 works authored by Prof.Sambamurthy. Familiar terms as well as those quite uncommon find suitable definitions. For example, the terms likeTala Dasa Pranas, Tambura, Tana Varnam, Yati, Yazh have detailed explanations, The life and contribution of  composers like Thyagaraja and others find mention. A detailed note of Western music, its noted and scales as well as on Wind instruments is quite infomative. Rare terms like Tarvallijathi Prabandha, Tatta palagai,Tattai, Troti, Vidari, Vidruma, Varuna etc. also have been explained. While Western Music has  many structured dictionaries for their musical terms, this book by Dr.Vedavalli is the only ready reckoner as far as South Indian Music is concerned. Her monumental work is indeed noteworthy and a priceless contribution to the music world.

Priced at Rs.410, the copies of this book is available at The Karnatic Music Book Centre, Chennai  – phone 044- 28111716, email – kmbc@vsnl.net