Chapter II: Rāgavardhana, Hindu Rhythm
Original: Pages 13–15 in Satterfield translation
Musical Examples:
Overview
This chapter introduces the first of Messiaen's non-Western sources: the rhythmic systems of ancient India, particularly the deçî-tâlas catalogued by thirteenth-century theorist Çârngadeva. By analyzing the rāgavardhana rhythm and deriving compositional principles from its structure, Messiaen begins developing his technique of rhythmic transformation and establishes foundations for concepts elaborated in subsequent chapters. The chapter exemplifies his method of historical synthesis—drawing from distant traditions to generate contemporary compositional techniques.