5th century BCE in India (Bharatvarsh) marked a golden age of music, particularly in the context of classical Indian music. This period saw the emergence of significant musical treatises and foundational texts such as the Natya Shastra attributed to Bharata Muni, which not only codified principles of music but also theatre and dance.

Gandharan art refers to a distinctive style of art that flourished in the Gandhara region, which is now part of modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. This art form emerged as a result of the cultural exchange between the Hellenistic world and the Indian subcontinent during the time of the Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek kingdoms.

Gandharan art not only served as a vehicle for the propagation of Buddhist teachings but also played a significant role in the cultural exchange between East and West, showcasing the cosmopolitan nature of ancient Gandhara. Today, Gandharan art remains an important archaeological and artistic legacy, offering insights into the cross-cultural interactions that shaped the artistic landscape of ancient Central Asia.

EP06: Indian Music ~ Origin, History & Evolution (5th Century BCE, The Golden Age of Indian Music) discusses the following aspects:

1. Bhakti Sangeet during Granth Kal, Mahabharata, Ramayan

2. Music in Mahabharata & Ramayan

3. Singers & Singing Communities

4. Significance of Mahagranth

5. Samajja and freedom to chose partners

6. Celebration & prosperity in ancient Indian text

7. Fusion of Cultures in Gandharan Art

8. The fusion of cultures in Buddhism and Jainism 

9. The fusion of cultures in Tibetan Chants

10. The perception of Sound & Music