DANIÉLOU, Alain (nom-de-plume Shiva Sharan). Neuilly-sur-Seine (Seine) 4.10.1907 — Lonay, Switzerland 27.1.1994. French Musicologist deeply interested in India. Son of Charles D. (1878–1953), an anticlerical Breton journalist and politician, and Madeleine Clamorgan, an ardent catholic, his brother Jean D. (1905–1974) was a jesuit and cardinal. Educated at Institution de Sainte-Croix in Neuilly-sur-Seine, at St.-John’s College in Annapolis and, after travels in Europe, North America and Asia, in 1935-49 studies of music, religion, Sanskrit and philosophy at Banaras Hindu Uni­ver­sity. In 1949-53 Professor of Musicology at the same, in 1953-56 director of Centre of Research on Sanskrit editions and of Adyar Library, in 1956-59 at I.F.I. in Pondicherry. From 1959 at É.F.E.O. in Paris. In 1963-77 founder and director of Institute internationale de musique comparée in Berlin, in 1969-82 of Istituto internazionale di Musica Comparata in Venice.

Although classified as scholar, Daniélou held strong personal opinions. He identified himself as extremist Hindu and accordingly criticized Islam, Buddhism and Gandhi. The best part of his work lies in musicology – he also made much to make Indian music known in the West and collaborated with Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar. His translations are very free and not too exact.

Publications: Introduction to the Study of Musical Scales. 279 p. L. 1943.

– Northern Indian Music. 1-2. L. 1949-54.

– Yoga, méthode de réintegration. 261 p. P. 1951, 2nd ed. 1983, English transl. 1955.

– La musique du Cambodge et du Laos. 32+4 p. PIFI 9. Pondichéry 1957; Tableau comparatif des intervalles musicaux. 4+145 p. PIFI 8. Pondichéry 1958.

– Edited & transl. with N. R. Bhatt: Textes des Purana sur la theorie musicale. Vol. 1. 185 p. P.I.F.I. 11. Pondichéry 1959; Bharata, Le Gītālaṅkara. L’ouvrage original sur la musique. 265 p. P.I.F.I. 16. Pondichéry 1959.

– Le Polytheisme Hindou. 597 p. P. 1960, English transl. Hindu Polytheism. 25+537 p. 32 pl. Bollingen series 73. N.Y. 1964, new ed. The Gods of India. N.Y. 1985.

– L’Érotisme divinisé. P. 1962, 2nd enl. ed. as La sculpture érotique hindoue. 240 p. 63 ill. P. 1973.

– Les quatre sens de la vie. 251 p. 1963, 2nd ed. 214 p. 1976; Shiva et Dionysos: la religion de la nature et de l’éros. 324 p. P. 1979.

– Musique de l’Inde du Nord. P. 1966, 2nd ed. 138 p. 1983; German transl. by W. Sczepan, Ein­führung in die indische Musik. Wb. 1975, 3rd ed. 199 p. 32 pl. Taschen­bücher zur Musikwiss. 36. Wilhelmshaven 1991.

– Transl. with R. S. Desikan, Shilappadikâram Le Roman de l’Anneau, du Prince Ilangô Adigal. 258 p. P. 1961; Prince Ilangô Adigal: Shilappadikaram (the Ankle Bracelet). 10+211 p. L. 1967, French 1987.

– The Raga-s of Northern Indian Music. 415 p. L. 1968.

– Histoire de l’Inde. 379 p. P. 1971, 2nd ed. 1983.

– Le temple hindou: centre magique du monde. 89 p. 99 ill. P. 1977.

– Translated: Trois pieces de théatre de Harsha. 225 p. P. 1977; Manimekhalai ou le scandale de la vertu. P. 1987; Le Kâma Sûtra. 176 p. P. 1992.

– La Fantaisie des Dieux et l’Aventure Humaine, nature et destin du monde dans la tradition Shivaïte. 250 p. P. 1985.

– Visages de l’Inde medievale. Photogr. de Raymond Burnier. 168 p. 76 ph. P. 1985.

– Some further works.

Sources: Who’s Who in France 1884-85, 1993-94; F. Picard, D.O.L.F. 254; Wikipedia with photo (also French version).